Greece Activities
  • The word "paradigm" means model or what is real about a situation or organization. It has been said that the paradigm of modern democracy is ancient Athens. Why? Paradigm comes from the Greek word meaning "pattern." List other words that we use today that have Greek roots. Define them. (For example: music, theater, zoo, angel, bibliography, geography, stadium, pentagon, gymnasium, philosopher, athlete, pyrotechnic, democracy, chorus, theology, psychology, anthropology).

  • The ancient Greeks loved words and public monuments. Imagine that you are a stone mason. Alexander the Great has died and his body will be brought to Alexandria for burial. Design Alexander's burial monument to show his greatness, and write an epitaph (words in praise of him) on the bottom of the monument.

  • The following poem is part of a longer piece written about the winner of a boy's wrestling match:

    He who wins, of a sudden, some noble prize
    In the rich years of youth
    Is raised high with hope; his manhood takes wings;
    He has in his heart what is better than wealth.
    But brief is the season of man's delight.
    (Pindar, Pythian 8)

    Write a description of how it feels to win a race, make a base hit, be chosen for the school play, or any event in your life when you had in your heart "what is better than wealth."


Greek Classroom Art Activities in PDF Format:

 

Athenian Treasury
Caduceus of Hermes
Geometric Bronze Horse
Gorgon Medusa
Greek Coins
Theater Masks
Vase Painting
Victor's Wreaths


© Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University,
Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester and Dallas Museum of Art
For more information please contact odyssey@emory.edu.
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