Ancient Greece Curriculum

The ancient Greek complex society, which existed following the Mycenaeans in 1200 BCE until the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE, became the foundation of Western civilization. From the Dark Age to the Golden Age of Greece, its contributions in philosophy, architecture, literature, science, and governance shaped our modern societies. Teach one of the glorious civilizations of all time using this curriculum pack!

See the fact file below for more information on Ancient Greece History Curriculum or alternatively, you can download our 16-page Ancient Greece History Curriculum worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Short video explainer

• Before we start, watch a short and simple video explainer about Ancient Greece found on the PDF download.

What to consider

• Develop geographical skills – Teaching about ancient civilizations always begins with acquainting our learners with the features and significance of geography. They need to be aware of and realize the crucial role of the surroundings in the emergence of complex societies such as the Greeks.
• Use historical themes – Ancient and medieval history is often presented and analyzed using themes. Themes such as Social Structures, Political Systems, Human-Environment Interaction, Cultures, and Economic Systems are used as a framework to examine a region in a period of time and its historical changes. Specific themes may include art, geography, empires, literature, population movements, religion, war and conquest, science, cities, agriculture, etc. 
• Identify history, religion, and mythology – Often discussed together, it is vital to compare and contrast ancient Greek religion and mythology. The good thing about this is we can kill two birds with one stone. As we narrate the stories of heroism and tragedies, we get to explore how the life and history of ancient Greeks were shaped by religion and mythology. 
• Connect the past to the present – Relatability sparks interest. For a lesson to be relatable, learners must connect the significance of the past (ancient Greek contributions in varied fields) to the present. Remember that history is not just a study of the past. More importantly, it helps us understand our present better.

How to deliver

• Unlike other ancient civilizations, which occupied vast and land-connected territories, ancient Greece was composed of scattered independent city-states. But like other ancient civilizations, we must start with geography. Using a world map (traditional or interactive from Google Earth), discuss the geographical location of ancient Greece. Emphasize the relative location of the cities and the bodies of land and water in the Mediterranean. 
• It is crucial to note that ancient Greece was not only Athens and Sparta. There were over 1,000 city-states with main polies such as Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Thebes, Syracuse, Aegina, Rhodes, Argos, Elis, and Erétria. 
• Aside from discussions about agriculture, trade, and other economic activities related to geography, we may further the discussion by asking our learners to infer the impact of physical geography on the development of city-states and the idea of democracy. Note that the landscape in the Mediterranean (rocky mountains, rivers, and islands) served as physical barriers that isolated one city-state from another. This fragmentary physical feature made a central government challenging to consolidate. It is safe to conclude that ancient Greek politics was regional. Polies made a few alliances in the Classical period on threats of foreign invasions, such as Philip II of Macedon. 
• We can utilize time maps or timelines to supplement our discussion using historical themes. Aside from learning the chronology of events, time maps or timelines serve as a guide in presenting change and continuity over time. 
• A first-hand experience in exploring ancient Greece is to visit museums that house Greek antiquities, and ruins in Greece. Otherwise, we can present pictures of artifacts and ruins for analysis. In the US, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in Philadelphia, The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology in Michigan have some of the best antiquity collections. 
• Suppose a physical field trip to Greece is impossible. In that case, we can turn our classrooms into mini museums with graphic-led resources such as display posters showing the Greek gods and goddesses, leaders, and philosophers. Smart television could also be set up for virtual tours such as the acropolis. Learning about Philosophy and the Humanities could be simple, relatable, and practical. 
• Since most kids always ask the question “Why?” let’s turn their curious minds and repeated question marks into academic yet practical lessons in life. We do not need to go straight to the point about Socrates and his axioms. Instead, we provide a venue for application and theory to meet. To be relatable, here are some animated films that have philosophical lessons in them:
  • Beauty and the Beast (2017) – For Plato, physical reality (physical appearance) is only perceived by the senses, while the intelligible reality is perceived by reason. Common why question from kids, “Why do I have freckles? I’m not pretty!”. We may answer about melanin and our skin’s mechanism to protect us from the sun, but we must emphasize that beauty is not about our physical appearance.
  • Inside Out (2015) – Introduced by Plato and developed by Aristotle, the theory of emotions is a part of the human condition. Both Plato’s The Republic and Aristotle‘s Rhetoric admitted that philosophy originates from people’s emotional responses. Common why question from kids, “Why do grown-ups cry even when they are happy?”. We may answer that grown-ups have more complicated emotions, but what’s important is we tell them that crying is okay and understanding others’ emotions or feelings are important.
  • Soul (2020) – Plato’s idea of souls as they separate from bodies upon death and travel to the great beyond is used in the film only to realize that our present life is worth living. Common why question from kids, “Why can’t they come back from heaven?” We may answer that it’s not like going on a vacation, and they have new missions to do.
• A critical and overarching feature of ancient Greece is mythology. Like other early complex societies, Greek mythology is not only a collection of stories about the acts of the gods. It is an integral part of religion, in short, the daily life of ancient Greeks. You may explore how to teach ancient Greek mythology in our Mythology & Deities Curriculum. 
• Aside from dwelling on how mythology shaped ancient Greek culture and beliefs, we can also direct a play with learners’ and parents’ participation. Organize recital tragedies and comedies featuring the works of Sophocles, Aristophanes, and Aeschylus. 
• It is also significant to discuss that despite being known for pioneering democracy and western philosophical thoughts, women in ancient Greece are least mentioned in male-dominated historiography. Relating to regionalism, the narration about women varied per city-state. In Sparta, women underwent physical training as men, could drink wine, and were allowed to own a parcel of land. In Athens, Aspasia and Agnodice were a leader and a physician, respectively. Women were barred from owning or inheriting lands or voting in most city-states. In Athenian definition, only free men were considered citizens. Even Aristotle believed that women were not intellectually capable of making decisions. Despite women’s limited role in ancient Greek society, female characters had a strong casting in mythology and religion. Athena, Hera, Demeter, Persephone, and Aphrodite were most revered. 
• Probably one of the most common yet crucial discussions on ancient Greece is their pioneering contribution to the field of medicine. Curious about the Hippocratic oath or ethics taken and followed by physicians? It is taken from a Greek physician, now known as the Father of Medicine, Hippocrates, who also used the terms acute, epidemic, convalescence, and exacerbation, among others. It is essential to note the concepts of change and continuity in discussing how people then and today bridged the causes of diseases from Hippocrates and Galen’s The Four Humors, the Miasma theory in the Medieval period, and Pasteur and Koch’s Germ Theory. 
• Wrap up the discussion by devising a concept map to be filled in by the learners. Our concept map can be as complex as we can, given that we explain the connections. Since a concept map is a visual representation of the overall lesson, it should be easily understood. A sample using the themes is provided below. 
• As a synthesis activity, concept map-making can be done in collaboration, either by small or large groups. Learners may utilize smart boards, traditional whiteboards, and the classroom wall (similar to a Gallery Walk). 
• For additional tips on how to teach ancient history, you may also check our Ancient Egypt Curriculum. 

Learning outcomes

• At the end of the lesson, learners must know the importance of geography in the emergence and development of the Greek city-states, especially the form of government, idea of democracy and citizenship, nature of the military, trading patterns, and isolation and independence of city-states.
• Aside from knowing the foundation and concepts of democracy and citizenship, in theory, our learners should be able to compare then and today (i.e. Athenian democracy and American representative democracy). 
• In addition to identifying the difference between ancient Greek religion and mythology, learners must be able to comprehend how these two shaped the ancient Greek civilization. How male historians mentioned men and how women were portrayed in mythology are only two aspects of gender politics. 
• More important than memorizing dates, learners are expected to assess the change and continuity of ancient Greece over time (from the Mycenaeans until the death of Alexander the Great). 
• Lastly, learners must appreciate and respect the importance of material culture (artifacts and ruins) in unearthing the life of early complex societies like the Greeks. 

Ancient Greece Curriculum Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Ancient Greece Curriculum across 15 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Ancient Greece which is a complex society that existed following the Mycenaeans in 1200 BCE until the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE, and became the foundation of Western civilization.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

• Teaching Ancient Greece
  1. Short video explainer
  2. What to consider
  3. How to deliver
  4. Learning outcomes
• Lesson Plan Template
• Suggested Worksheets

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Ancient Greece exist?

Ancient Greece is generally considered to have existed from the archaic period around the 8th century BCE (Before Common Era) to the Hellenistic period, which ended with the Roman conquest of Greece in 146 BCE. This span of time covers several centuries of Greek history and encompasses various city-states and civilizations, such as Athens, Sparta, and Macedon.

What were the major city-states of Ancient Greece?

Ancient Greece was comprised of numerous city-states, each with its own government, laws, and culture. Some of the most prominent city-states include: Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Thebes and Argos

What were some significant achievements of Ancient Greece?

Ancient Greece made enduring contributions to various fields, leaving a profound impact on Western civilization. Here are a few notable achievements: Democracy, Philosophy, Literature and Drama, Mathematics and Science, Olympic Games

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