History and Culture of Greece

The history and culture of Greece is one of the most interesting and enduring in Europe. The geography, traditions and history of the country can be studied from a variety of perspectives and in several different disciplines. Certainly, geography teachers will teach about Greece as part of their study of Europe, but art teachers may choose to explore specific artists or styles from Greece as well. Social studies teachers will want to convey that the history of Greece left an indelible mark on the world; among its legacies are the Olympics, democracy, classical architecture and philosophy.

Students may enjoy doing research and making models or drawings of the numerous landmarks throughout Greece. Using clay, Model Magic, polymer clay, or a similar material, have students create a small model of some of Greece’s most important sites including the Parthenon, Syntagma Square and the Parliament building, the Olympic Stadium, the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, the Erectheon and the Theater of Dionysus to name a few. You may also choose to have them write a brief report on the site to reflect their research.

For another activity, you can divide students into small groups to report on different Greek cities and regions including Athens, Corfu, Olympia, Sparta and the islands of Mykonos and Santorini. Each group should chart the history of the place, its landmarks and significance. The information gathered should be presented to the class either orally with visual aids or through a PowerPoint presentation. You may elect to have students make a detailed political, topographic or geographic map of their subject matter.

Greece is home to countless individuals who influenced the course of human history. You can have an ancient Greek Symposium in which all of these figures come together to share their ideas, inventions, artwork and writings. Be sure to include Pericles, Plato, Aristotle, Sophocles, Socrates, Aristophanes, Euclid, Pythagoras, Aspasia, Archimedes and their contemporaries. Have students dress in character, deliver a brief speech introducing themselves and then allow them to mingle with the other historical figures whom they might not have met previously. This activity can also be modified to be a conference atop Mount Olympus at which all of the Greek gods and goddesses come together. Given all of the drama in Greek mythology, this conference might be more like a daily TV talk show! What follows are more lesson plans that can make a study of Greece come alive.

History of Greece Lessons and Activities:

Modern Greece Fights for Ancient History

For teachers seeking a modern connection to Greece’s history, this lesson provides a look at Greece’s efforts to reclaim its cultural patrimony prior to the 2004 Olympics. Students learn about specific sculptures and works of art in addition to the debates over their ownership.

Poltical Traditions

Students compare and contrast the governments of ancient Greece and Rome after which they consider the influence of these governments on the development of the United States’ founding documents and beliefs. This lesson culminates with the writing of an analytical essay.

Modern Mosaics

The Greeks were highly skilled mosaic makers. This lesson (which can be modified and made more challenging and complex) provides easy-to-follow instructions on how to create mosaic vases. Consider having students depict some aspect of Greek culture or history in their mosaics.