Thursday, March 21, 2013

Greek Museum in Metropolis Subway

You walk through the doors and come to two hallways. You go right and get to look at these amazing artifacts. Inside the glass frames right next to the artifacts you may read about these amazing things from long ago. You go around and get to look at them again. After you have learned enough, you may exit this time coming from the left hallway.


 SOCIAL            
The Olympic games were held every four years in Olympia. Thousands of men gathered to either compete or watch. Women were not allowed to come. They competed in wrestling, running, and other sports. The museum will have a mini replica of this statue!


POLITICAL
Greece was first made up of many independent city states. Some were more powerful than others like Athens and Sparta. They were all divided by many mountains and hills, and it wasn't until the Persian empire tried to take over that they all united against them. They became closer and started the Hellenistic period. The museum will have a display of several authentic gold and silver coins displaying different leaders on them!


RELIGIOUS
The Greeks were polytheistic which means they had multiple gods. Their gods were considered to be connected with things they knew had a lot of power. A few of their gods were Zeus their god of lightning, Ares their god of war, and Hades god of their underworld. The museum will have a life size statue of Poseidon their god of water!


INTELLECTUAL
The art of the Greeks made great influence on other civilizations. Their art inspired many artists. Their art was influenced by their traditions and beliefs. During the Hellenistic age their art became more and more natural. The museum will have a copy of the medusa sculpture above!

TECHNOLOGICAL
The Greeks invented what we might think of as a crossbow but they knew it as a Gastraphete.
The Gastraphete was put together by a famous engineer known as Ctesibius. Instead of just pulling up a string Ctesibius made it so that they would use a sliding mechanism. The museum will have a replica of an ancient Gastraphete!

ECONOMICAL
The ancient Greeks would trade over the oceans since they were right there next to them and mountains made it hard to cross any other way. They would trade things such as jewelry and gems. They would trade their slaves, olive oil, pottery and foods. The museum will have one of the biggest sapphires in the world!

                                      

Monday, March 11, 2013

Ancient Greek Games

The Greeks Had a temple dedicated to Zeus their god of gods in Olympia a city in Greece.
Olive trees were considered sacred to Zeus they grew wild around his temple.
The Greeks had Olympic games in Olympia (hence the name) dedicated to Zeus. The winner received a crown of olive branches that had no real value except for the branches had come from those that grew around Zeus's temple which gave them large spiritual value to the civilization.