2.  The term Ancient Greece refers to the time period between the 8 th century B.C. and 146 B.C.  Between these dates, Greece had one of the most powerful and innovative societies in the world.  In 146 B.C., Greece was conquered by the Roman empire, which their society influenced heavily.

4.  Greece was divided up into many Poleis, or city-states such as Athens and Sparta.  The Greeks are credited with creating the first Democratic society in which the common people had a say in government.

5.  Ancient Greeks practiced a pagan religion in which they worshipped many Gods.  Some of the most important Greek Gods were:  Zeus: The King of the Gods and father to many.  Hera: Wife of Zeus and Queen of the Gods  Apollo: God of the sun, the arts, medicine, and truth  Athena: Daughter of Zeus, Goddess of wisdom and justice  Ares: God of war  Hades: God of the underworld

7.  The Greek Gods had many myths and stories surrounding them.  Greek Gods lived on top of Mt. Olympus, the tallest mountain in Greece.  They would often interact with the mortal world in these stories, as we will see in the Iliad.  The Greek Gods were not perfect by any means, and shared many characteristics with mortals, including jealousy and wrath.

8.  Greece was the home of many of the world’s most famous philosophers.  Many Greek philosophers focused on the importance of Reason in life.  Greek Philosophers included  Socrates  Plato  Aristotle

9.  The Greeks were passionate fans of theater.  Greek plays can often be classified as either Tragedy or Comedy, and the players (all male) used masks to show emotions.  Theaters were usually large, open air venues.

10.  Along with theater, the Greeks also prided themselves on their art and literature.  Greek sculptors crafted what are still considered some of the most perfect statues ever created.  The Greeks believed the human form was the most beautiful and perfect creation in nature.  Greek artists also expressed themselves through architecture.

12.  The Greeks wrote lyrical poetry, tragedy, comedy, and long Epic poetry.  Homer was one of the greatest and best recorded writers of Ancient Greece.  Homer is credited with the writing of both the Odyssey and the Iliad.

13.  The Iliad consists of 15,700 lines (more than 5 times as many as Beowulf) and follows the Greek army through part of the Trojan war.  The Iliad mostly follows the story of Achilles, a Greek warrior blessed by the Gods.  The Iliad is written in the form of an Epic poem, and is dated around the 8 th century B.C.

14.  Epic poems contain 9 essential story elements.  They begin in medias res  The setting is vast and spans many nations  The story begins with an invocation (calling) to a muse.  It begins with a statement of a theme  It uses many epithets (repetitious phrasing)  It includes long lists  It features long, formal speeches  It shows divine intervention in mortal affairs  The principal “hero” embodies the values of his society

15.  The Iliad was originally told and retold orally by bards and travelling story tellers.  It begins near the end of the Trojan war.  The Iliad contains several major themes including  Glory  Wrath  Returning to home  Fate/Destiny

16.  Achilles: The strongest warrior and hero of the Greek army.  Agamemnon: The King of the Greeks  Menelaus: Agamemnon’s brother  Hector: The Prince of Troy & champion of the Trojans  Priam: Hector’s father, King of Troy  Paris: Prince of Troy, Hector’s younger brother  Helen: Menelaus’ wife  Patroclus: Achilles cousin/closest companion  Odysseus and Ajax: Generals of the Greek army  The Gods: Most notably Apollo (Trojans) and Athena (Greeks)