Greek city –states

It started in the form of epic songs, collected y the poet, Homer, in Iliad and the odyssey. The flourishing city –states of ancient Greece provided the perfect setting for art and literature o thrive.

Ancient Geeks built strong city –states such as Sparta and Athens. Sparta was a military state and its brave soldiers formed the most powerful army in Greece. Young boys left their homes when they were seven years old to begin their military training. Men had to serve in the army until they were sixty years old.

Athens became a great democracy and the assembly of Athenians made law in order to deal with social relationships, trade agreements, crime and so on. Athens became especially prosperous from 500 to 430 BC. It was a period of great writing and learning, and Athens the centre of Greek civilization and culture. Many great artists, thinkers and sculptors came to Athens and thrived.

The Parthenon is regarded as the supreme achievement of Greek architecture-this temple still stands atop the Acropolis. The temple took 15 years to build and was dedicated to Athena, the guardian goddess of Athens.  

The ancient Greeks believed that their Gods looked like human beings and experienced human emotions that led them to fall in love and quarrel. People also thought that Gods had magical powers and were immortal. The gods were thought to influence human life and were kept busy with requests for help, from curing illness to ensuring a victory in war. Individual made sacrifices, left offerings for them and prayed to them.

The ancient Greeks had different gods and goddesses, one for each aspect of human life. Zeus was the king of Gods who ruled over earth and heaven from Mount Olympus. This mountain is located on the border with Macedonia. Hera was his wife and she was the goddess of women and marriage. Athena was the goddess of wisdom, courage and victory.