What did the ancient Greeks discover?

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What did the ancient Greeks discover?

The ancient Greeks made discoveries that still influence us today.

From groundbreaking ideas in science and mathematics to early forms of medicine and democracy (where citizens get to vote on important decisions), their innovations shaped how we live, think and learn.

Their way of thinking changed the course of history and still affect how we live and learn.

Find out about some of the ways the ancient Greeks changed the world.

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Important words for the ancient Greeks

KeywordDefinition
TheatreA place where people watch plays and performances.
ArchitectureThe design and style of buildings.
ColumnsTall, round pillars used to support and decorate buildings.
ComedyA funny play or story.
TragedyA sad or serious play or story.
AlphabetA set of letters used for writing a language.
DemocracyA system of government where citizens vote on decisions, such as elections.
InnovationCreating new ideas or improving existing ones.
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How did the ancient Greeks decide?

Cartoon of an ancient Greek council.

  • In ancient Athens, citizens would gather together on a dusty hill called the Pnyx.

  • Here they would decide the city’s laws and who should sit on its ruling council.

  • This was ‘democracy’ or ‘rule by the people’.

  • All 30,000 citizens were adult men born in Athens to citizen parents. Women, enslaved people and foreign people did not get a say.

  • A jury of citizens decided if someone was guilty of law-breaking.

  • Today, we also live in a democracy. Unlike in ancient Greece, women get to vote.

  • Similar to ancient Greece, juries today decide if someone is guilty of a crime.

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What sports did the Greeks enjoy?

  • The Greeks loved sport as much as we do.
  • They enjoyed the discus, javelin, long jump, boxing and horse racing.
  • They watched races in a big, open-air ‘stadion’, very like a modern sports stadium.
A statue of the winged goddess Nike
This is a terracotta statue of Nike, the goddess of victory. She is holding a wreath ready to crown a winner.
Cartoon of athletes at the Olympic Games.
The first Olympic Games were held in honour of the god Zeus at Olympia, in 776BC.

  • Greek men and boys trained in a gymnasium. We also go to the gym, although today women and girls are welcome too.

  • Every four years the Greeks held a special sporting festival at Olympia - the Olympic Games.

  • These inspired the modern Olympics which began in 1896. Like the Greeks, we also hold the Olympics every four years.

Cartoon of athletes at the Olympic Games.
The first Olympic Games were held in honour of the god Zeus at Olympia, in 776BC.
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How did the ancient Greeks create theatre and drama?

An ancient Greek theatre. There are ruins behind the stage and lots of tiered seats.
An ancient Greek amphitheatre where plays and performances were held for thousands of people.

Performances were held in large open-air theatres with tiered seating.

They developed tragedy and comedy, two main types of plays still used today.

Actors wore large masks to show different characters and emotions.

Playwrights like Sophocles and Euripides wrote famous plays that are still studied today.

Theatre was an important part of festivals honouring the god Dionysus.

An ancient Greek theatre. There are ruins behind the stage and lots of tiered seats.
An ancient Greek amphitheatre where plays and performances were held for thousands of people.
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How did Ancient Greek buildings influence architecture today?

A huge stone building with tall columns in front. There are carvings of people and shapes on the triangular roof section.
The British Museum in London, a modern building influenced by Greek architecture.

The ancient Greeks used Columns, which are tall, stone pillars that hold up and decorate buildings.

Temples like the Parthenon in Athens showed their skill in designing and building.

Greek architecture focused on balance, symmetry and beauty.

Many modern buildings, such as museums, banks and government buildings copy Greek styles.

Greek designs made buildings look impressive and important, influencing architecture for thousands of years.

Modern buildings influenced by Greek architecture include: the British Museum in London and the White House in Washington DC.

A huge stone building with tall columns in front. There are carvings of people and shapes on the triangular roof section.
The British Museum in London, a modern building influenced by Greek architecture.
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How did the ancient Greeks influence the English language?

Image shows the Greek and English alphabet.
The Greek alphabet, which influenced the letters we use in English today.

The ancient Greeks developed an alphabet that was used for reading and writing.

Many English words today come from Greek words, especially in science, medicine and maths.

Words like photography (‘photo’ meaning light) and telephone (‘tele’ meaning far) have Greek roots.

The Greek alphabet influenced the Latin alphabet, which is what the English language uses today.

Greek letters, such as alpha and beta are still used in science and maths.

Learning about Greek words help us understand the meaning of many English terms.

Image shows the Greek and English alphabet.
The Greek alphabet, which influenced the letters we use in English today.
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Did the Greeks change how we think?

Cartoon of the inside of a body.
  • Ancient Greek thinkers made big discoveries. Hippocrates was famous for his ideas about medicine.
Cartoon of people in the modern day.

  • Sappho was a famous Greek poet. What we have left of her poetry is still read today and has inspired many writers.

  • Socrates and Plato were philosophers. They asked, “What is a good life?” and “How do we think?”

Cartoon of people in the modern day.
An ancient Greek person standing on planet Earth.
  • Aristotle studied plants, animals and rocks. He carried out experiments to find out about the world we live in.
  • Modern scientists do the same kind of thing.
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Watch: Dick and Dom discover Archimedes

Dick and Dom discover the work of Archimedes, one of the greatest Greek thinkers.

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Think like a historian

Light blue thought bubble that says Thinking Points!

Have a look at the thinking points below and think about your answer to each question. You could even write them down on a piece of paper or discuss them with somebody else if you want to.

  • Why do you think the ancient Greeks created so many new ideas in science, maths and medicine?

  • How might our lives be different if the ancient Greeks had never made these discoveries?

Light blue thought bubble that says Thinking Points!

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Activities

Activity 1: Famous ancient Greeks

Click on the figures below to hear more about their lives.

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Activity 2: Quiz – Greek discoveries

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Grown-ups corner

Are you a parent, carer or teacher?

Take a look at some of the links below on KS2 History which are packed full of knowledge, videos, quizzes and activities.

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