1. Ancient Greek Civilizations
Lesson 4: Athens

2. 1. Hiero and Dion talking in front of the agora
Hiero and Dion were on their way to Dion’s home. On the way, they passed through the central marketplace of Athens. The two young men stopped to buy some olives at a farmer’s booth—or table—that was underneath the branches of two old olive trees.

3. 2. Dion and Hiero admiring Parthenon
Dion turned to look up at the top of the high hill. “Hiero,” Dion asked, “have you ever seen anything more beautiful than the Parthenon - the temple for the goddess Athena?”
“My father and I traveled to many wonderful places on our trading voyages around the Mediterranean Sea—but I never saw anything as beautiful as the Parthenon.” Hiero agreed as he looked up at the magnificent temple for Athena.

4. 3. Busy Athenian city
Sparta focused on self-discipline and creating a strong military; however, the Athenians focused on other things. The people of Athens focused on art, science, and architecture—or the design of buildings. The ancient Greeks created inventions that would improve in later civilizations. The Greeks invented the screw, the watermill, the catapult, and even plumbing.

5. 4. Busy Athenian city
The Athenians were able to make so many contributions to the world because of their belief that human beings could achieve—or successfully complete—anything if they tried their best. The Athenians believed in the saying “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Even if they failed, they would not be ashamed because they knew they tried their best. Athenians like Hiero and Dion believed in the benefit—or good— of independent thinking, or thinking for oneself.

6. 5. Busy Athenian city
Share with your partner about a time you achieved something by setting your mind to do it and trying your best. After you have finished sharing, your partner can ask you one question to get more information from you.

7. 6. Pericles passing Hiero and Dion
This kind of independent thinking led to the greatest ancient Greek civilization contribution of all—greater than the art, architecture, or the Olympic Games—the gift of democracy. In a democracy, people choose their leaders. As Hiero and Dion continued walking on that sunny afternoon, they glanced—and quickly looked—ahead. Guess who they saw?

8. 7. Pericles passing Hiero and Dion
They saw the man they had chosen—and voted for—year after year. “It’s Pericles!” Hiero exclaimed. Pericles was the man the Athenians had elected—or voted for—to lead their government. Pericles held great power. He was both an army general and the leader of their government. However, like all Athenian leaders, he had to be chosen, or voted for, by the people every year. If the Athenians did not like the job he was doing, they could stop voting for him and vote for another person.
Have you ever voted for something before? What was it for?

9. 8. Athenian government
In the past, Athens had been ruled by a king. Then, several nobles— or rich men who were related to the king—started to rule instead of the king. Finally, a new leader came along. He thought every citizen should be able to be part of the government. He wanted to give citizens the right to vote. He believed that citizens could be part of the assembly, a large group of men who debated—or discussed and argued their different points of view. The assembly would create the laws for Athens.

10. 9. Athenian government
However back then only men who were rich and were born in Athens could be citizens. Women were not considered citizens and could not vote or be part of the assembly.

11. 10. Athenian women working and managing the house
Athenian girls also could not attend school as the boys did. For Athenian women, it was more important that they learn to cook, sew, and clean. However, all well-educated young ladies learned some mathematics at home so they could take care of their family’s money and decide how to spend the money. Although girls were not allowed to attend school, many girls did learn to read and write. Many Athenian women were admired for their intelligence and learning.

12. 11. Athenian women working and managing the house
Most Athenians knew that a woman friend of Pericles wrote many of his famous speeches for him. However, she was not allowed to listen to him speak those words in the assembly, and she was not allowed to vote for the laws he suggested.

13. 12. Dion and Hiero watching Pericles
Dion and Hiero were about to leave the central marketplace when Dion saw Pericles talking with two other men. “Who are those two men with him?” Dion asked Hiero. Hiero peered and looked above the heads of others in the crowd. “Pericles is chatting with one of the greatest writers in the world and the artist who designed the statue of Athena in the Parthenon!” Hiero excitedly answered.

14. 13. Dion and Hiero watching Pericles
He smiled. “Only in Athens could you see a conversation among the greatest leader, a world-famous writer, and such an awesome artist. Don’t you wonder what those great men are talking about?” “Whatever it is,” Dion responded, “I’m sure it is a most fascinating conversation.” If something is fascinating, it attracts you and holds your attention. Discuss with your partner what the leader, writer, and artist might have been talking about.