What did all Greek city-states have in common?

They worshipped the same gods.

They believed in myths.• Sometimes ancient myths:

– Remembered history in an interesting way.– May have some truth.– Usually featured nature– Included gods or goddesses.– had heroes.

They believed in Oracles• Similar to a fortune teller of today.

• Most famous Oracle was at the crack in Delphi where Apollo was to have spoken.

• Oracles were always on duty to help people communicate with the gods…24/7!

• Omens were predictions of bad things.

City states were called POLISES.

• A polis was the city and the surrounding area.

• City states did NOT trust each other.

• Most powerful were Sparta and Athens.

• Each city-state had:– A wall surrounding it.– A hill called the ACROPOLIS where important

buildings would be safe.

Greek Alphabet• 24 letters

• Many of our letters came from the Greek.

• Uses today:– Fraternities and sororities in colleges– Science and math– Still used in Greece

They all believed in an afterlife.

• Spirit crosses the River Styx by Charon, the ferryman…needed a coin!

• Cerberus, a three headed dog, keeps out intruders.

• Three judges determine where you go by how you lived your life:– Elysian Fields- very, very, very good people– Asphodel Fields- most people, not great, not wicked– Tartarus…wicked people

They all went to the Olympics.

• In Olympia• Every four years• All fighting stopped• Held in honor of gods, particularly Zeus• Men only• Sacrifice to gods at beginning of Olympics.• Winners received olive wreathe for head,

food for life, statues, great recognition!

Men were important!• Ran the government, oversaw field

workers, worked in the fields, sailed, sports

• Free to come and go as they would like

• Shopped for the needed items for the home.

• Lived in a separate wing of the house.

Women had limited freedoms.

• Stayed mostly in the house; rarely left to visit friends.

• Took care of children and homes.

• Could leave only for funerals of relatives.

• Engaged around 5; married around 15.

EXCEPT SPARTAN WOMEN.

Children were considered “youths” until 30!

• Boys and Girls:– Played with rattles, jacks, yo-yos– Pets: birds, dogs, goats, and turtles

• Girls:– Learned at home from mom until married.

• Boys:– Went to school from 6 or 7 until 20.

Everyone had slaves!• Were owned and named by families.

• House slaves cooked, cleaned, prepared the meals, took care of children and tutored the children.

• Other slaves worked in fields, in mines, in shops.

Food• Figs, olives, grapes

• Fish, seafood such as octopus

• seldom meat (goat)

• Wine made from grapes

• Olive oil was used for cooking, cleaning your body, and lighting!

Everyone had brushes and mirrors!

• Women:– Curled, blond hair– Braids and pony tails piled on head– Admired blonds

• Men:– Facial hair– Short hair– Tunics– Barber Shops