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Ancient Greece:
Its Influence
on American Architecture,
Culture, and Government

by Susan Hardin

Susan Hardin© 2012

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Essential Questions:
1. How can you locate Athens, Greece on a world map?
2. How did ancient Athens, Greece influence American
architecture?
3. How did ancient Athens, Greece influence American
culture?
4. How did ancient Athens, Greece influence American
government?

Use the first pages for whole class viewing. We view

them on our smartboard in a notebook document, but
for the purpose of resale, I have written them in a
pdf file. In the lessons that follow, I will refer to
whole class viewing pages as the smart board (SB)
lesson.

I have included additional pages in black and white for

more economical printing of multiples as well as clipart
or photos for cut and paste activities.

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Part 1

Location of Greece

And

Greece’s Influence on
American Architecture
and Culture
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Locate Greece on a map.

Notice the pink boot?

That is the country of Italy.

*************************
Greece is just to the right of the heel.

So, the next time you need to locate Greece, just look for the boot!
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Locate Greece on this map.

What is the body of water

that borders Greece?

Border means to surround or touch on the edges.

Look at the body of water that “touches Greece
on the edges”.

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Can you find Athens,

the capital of Greece?

On this map, the capital

is located with a star next to it.

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We get many architectural ideas from

the ancient Greeks.
(Architecture means how buildings are designed.)

Athens’ ancient Parthenon

is one example.

This building, The Lincoln

Memorial, is located in
Washington, D.C. and looks
very similar to the
ancient Greek building, the
Parthenon.

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Many of our buildings today use this same style.

Compare the architectural design of the
Parthenon to another building in the U.S.,
The Supreme Court.

Architectural Similarities:
*Columns
*Carvings
*Marble steps

This building, The Supreme

Court, is located in
Washington, D.C. and looks
very similar to the
ancient Greek building, the
Parthenon.

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We get our Olympics from the

ancient Greeks.

The Olympic rings represent both Olympics.

Here is a word from the Greeks:

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Olympics
We get our Olympics from the
Ancient Greeks.

Ancient Greeks competed in marathon running

games, and so do we today.

Another word from the Greeks:

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marathon
We get our Olympics from the
ancient Greeks.

This is where people come see the Olympic games.

Two more words with Greek origins:

coliseum
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stadium
We get our Olympics from the
ancient Greeks.

Winners were recognized in both Olympics for

success.

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Can you compare the Olympics of today

with the Olympics of Ancient Greece?

Directions: Come to the Smart board. Choose from the

word bank around the sides, and compare by writing
words or phrases in the correct area of the
Venn diagram.

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Answer Key

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Part 2

Greece’s Influence on
American Government

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What is democracy?
 Democracy started in Athens, Greece. It most
likely started with Greek political ideas.

 Democracy means rule by the people.

 A democracy is a government in which the leaders

are elected.

 A democracy is a way of governing, in which the

whole group of citizens takes charge of its own
affairs.

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Why did Athenians want democracy

for their city?

In Athens, the middle -class citizens made up

the largest part of the army. If the middle-
class were unhappy about the government, the
army might change sides in the event of war.

The purpose of democracy was to assure the

middle class that they had a voice in
government. Having this voice in the
government allowed them to have their ideas
count in the decisions that were made.

The threat of war

was always present.

A country without
a strong army would
easily be taken over
by another country.

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People of Athens believed

that citizens should be the ones to
choose their leaders.

If we, the citizens, choose our leaders, then

our leaders should feel they must do what we
wish.

If the leaders don’t do what the citizens

want, then on the next voting day, Election
Day, the citizens may vote someone else to
take the leaders’ place. They will lose their
elected job.

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In ancient Athens,
jury members were chosen by lottery
from among the citizens.

A lottery is a A jury is a group of people,

process of choosing in a court of law, who decide
people, like if a person is innocent or
drawing a name guilty of a crime they have
out of a hat. been accused of.

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We, the United States, used Athens’ democracy

as a model for our government, but...…

There was a unique problem with the

democracy of the Ancient Greeks.

Here is the problem:…

MOST PEOPLE COULD NOT VOTE!

Why?
Because,
First... you had to be a citizen to vote.
Second... most people were not citizens.
Women and slaves were not citizens.

Conclusion
Athens was not a true democracy.

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There are 2 different types of democracies.

Representative Democracy
Verses
Direct Democracy

A group of citizens All the citizens

send a person to vote. This means all
government to the citizens go to
represent them, or the government.
vote for them.

United States Athens, Greece

has this form. had this form.
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Written law was recorded

for the first time in Greece
during the sixth century B.C.

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Click anywhere on the picture below, and

learn more about Greek life.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/ancient_greeks/greek_world/

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Name______________________ Date_____________________

Influence of Ancient Greece:

Architecture, Culture, and Government
Matching Review
Directions: Write the letter of the word or phrase in the box
that matches the sentences below.
a. Parthenon b. written law c. political ideas
d.. columns e. democracy f. lottery g. jury
h. representative democracy i. direct democracy

_______ 1. A form of government where all citizens directly participate in the decision
making process.

_______ 2. What was first recorded in Greece in the 6th century?

_______ 3. What did democracy most likely begin with?

_______ 4. How were jury members selected in ancient Greece?

_______ 5. A form of government where people choose others to represent them.

_______ 6. Which architectural element is often seen in buildings and often associated
with Greece?

_______ 7. A form of government where the citizens take charge of their own affairs
by electing their leaders.

_______ 8. Which ancient Greek building looks similar to the U. S. Supreme Court and
Lincoln Memorial?

________ 9. A group of people in a court of law that decide if a person is innocent or

guilty of a crime they are accused of committing.

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Clip art needed for cut and paste activity on day 1.

Ancient Greek Parthenon

Lincoln Memorial
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U. S. Supreme Court

U. S. Supreme Court
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Name_____________________________ Date _________________________

Can you find Greece on this map of Europe?

Directions:

*Color Italy green.

*Color Greece yellow.

*Draw a red dot where

the capital city of
Athens is located.

*Color the
Mediterranean Sea that
boarders Greece, light
blue.

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Role Play Voting Activity

as a Direct Democracy and then
as a Representative Democracy activity
After a short discussion of how ancient Athenian democracy worked,
begin to explain to students the difference between a direct
democracy and a representative democracy. Then, students will
participate in each type of election as a class. Election number one will
be using the direct democracy approach in which each child votes
individually on a topic. Some possible topics may include voting on playing
kickball or free play for recess, eating lunch in the cafeteria or the
classroom, or choosing a class nickname or motto, etc.

The second election will be using the representative democracy

approach. Each group chooses a leader to represent the whole group.
Make sure the group leaders know that their vote is supposed to
represent “majority rule” not their personal feelings. Vote on the
same issue as you did for the direct democracy and compare the
results. Let each group take turns choosing a new leader so that
students see how the views of the group as a whole should influence
the decision of the group leader.

After the elections are completed, students will create a Venn

diagram (or a double bubble map if you are familiar with thinking maps)
to compare and contrast both types of democracy. Discuss as a
group the pros and cons of both elections. Have students think about
these questions: Did each voting topic still have the same outcome?
Why did the elections turn out the way they did? Explain to students
that we are a representative democracy in the United States;
modeled after the ancient Greeks.

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“The Olympics”
by Susan Hardin

If you have ever seen the Olympics, they might

seem modern, but they are really from ancient times.
The first Olympics were held in Greece over 2,700
years ago. Athletes from the area around Greece
came to compete in games. They ran races, wrestled,
and competed in other sports. In ancient days, only men
competed in the Olympics. The Olympics of today, are
based on those of long ago. Today both men and
women participate. In 1996, the Olympics were held in
Atlanta, Georgia, here in the United States.
Athletes from 197 countries came to compete in many of
the same games.
For some of the winners of ancient Greece, a laurel
wreath was made from olive leaves, and placed on their
heads. For others, valuable pottery was the ancient
reward. Today, medals of gold, silver and bronze are
given to the winners placing first, second and third in
their competitions.

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Name _______________________ Date ___________________

1. How many years ago were the first Olympics in

Greece held?
________________________________________________
2. In ancient times, where did the athletes come
from to compete in the Olympic Games?
________________________________________________________
3. In ancient times, what were two of the
competitions?
________________________________________________________
4. In ancient times, who competed in the Olympics?
________________________________________________________
5. In 1996, in which city and state was the modern
day Olympics held?
_________________________________________________________
6. How many countries were represented in the 1996
Olympics? _____________________________________________

7. What were two items given to winners of the

Olympics in ancient time?
_________________________________________________________
8. What is given to winners of modern day Olympics?
________________________________________________________
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Name_________________________________ Test Date __________________

The Influence of Greece

Study Guide
1. Democracy is a government in which leaders are elected.
2. Democracy means rule by the people (citizens).
3. In a direct democracy, citizens meet together to make decisions about
governing their city, state, or nation.
4. In a representative democracy, citizens choose other citizens to
represent, or stand for, them in government.
5. Athens had the first democracy.
6. The United States is a representative democracy.
7. Athens was a direct democracy.
8. Athenians believed that the people should be able to choose their own
leaders.
9. Leaders in the United States government are chosen by its citizens.
10. Greece is located in Europe. Be able to locate it on a map of Europe.
11. The architecture, or building design, of many government buildings in The
United States were influenced by Greek architecture, as seen in the use
of columns, marble steps, and carvings.
12. The U.S. Supreme Court building and The Lincoln Memorial are two example
of Greek architectural influence. The U.S. Supreme Court building and The
Lincoln Memorial look much like the Ancient Greek building called The
Parthenon.
13. The Olympics began in Greece.
14. Be able to compare and contrast the Olympics of today with the Olympics
of Ancient Greece.
They are similar in that...
i. the Olympic symbol of the rings represented both of the
Olympics.
ii. They both held marathons
iii. They both recognized their athletes

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They are different in that...…

 In Ancient Greece
i. Only males could compete.
ii. Olympians were given laurel wreaths and pottery as
recognition.
iii. The place where people come to see the Olympics was called
the Coliseum.
 Today...
i. Both males and females can compete.
ii. Olympians are given medals as recognition.
iii. One of the places where people come to see the Olympics is a
stadium.

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Name_________________________________ Test Date __________________

The Influence of Greece

Unit Test
Circle the answer to the following questions.

1. Democracy means
a. ruled by a king
b. ruled by a small group
c. ruled by the people or citizens

2. In this type of democracy, citizens meet together to make decisions about

governing their city, state, or nation.
a. direct democracy
b. dictatorship
c. representative democracy

3. In this type of democracy, citizens choose other citizens to represent, or

stand for, them in the government.
a. direct democracy
b. dictatorship
c. representative democracy

4. Athenians believed that the people should be able to choose their

own______.
a. leaders
b. king
c. president

5. Leaders in the United states government are chosen by its

a. men only
b. citizens
c. jury

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6. Democracy originated, or started in

a. Athens, Greece
b. Washington, D. C.
c. Rome, Italy

7. Who was given the right to vote in ancient Athens?

a. adult males
b. adult females
c. foreigners living in Athens

8. What type of democracy was practiced in ancient Athens?

a. free
b. direct
c. representative

9. What type of democracy is practiced in the United States today?

a. free
b. direct
c. representative

10. Which of the following structures in Washington, D.C., most shows influence
of Greek architecture as seen in the Parthenon?
a. Washington Monument
b. U. S. Supreme Court building
c. White House

11. Which architectural element, often seen in government buildings, is

associated with ancient Greece?
a. domes
b. columns
c. porches

12. Where is Greece located?

a. in North America
b. in Italy
c. in Europe

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13. Where did the Olympics begin?

a. the United States
b. Atlanta
c. Greece

14. How are the Parthenon and the Lincoln Memorial building alike?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

15. – 23. Use the words in the word/phrase bank to fill in the double bubble
map, to compare and contrast the Olympics of ancient Athens to the
Olympics of today.

Word / Phrase Bank

marathons coliseum rings stadium

recognized their athletes only males could compete

medals given as recognition
laurel wreaths as recognition both males and females could complete

Olympics Modern
of Ancient Day
Athens Olympics

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24. Which letter shows the location of Greece.

a. A
b. B
c. C

B
A

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Lesson Plans

Influence of Ancient Greece:

On American Architecture, Culture, and Government

By Susan Hardin

Lessons based on the following Georgia Performance Standards.

SS3H1 The student will explain the political roots of our modern
democracy in the United States of America.
a. Identify the influence of Greek architecture (Parthenon = U. S.
Supreme Court building), law, and the Olympic Games on the present.
b. Explain the ancient Athenians’ idea that a community should choose
its own leaders.
c. Compare and contrast Athens as a direct democracy with the
United States as a representative democracy.
K-5 EU: The student will understand that people’s ideas and feelings
influence their decisions.
K-5 EU: The student will understand that laws and people's beliefs help
decide who gets to make choices in government.
K-5 EU: The student will understand that where people live matters.

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Prior to lessons, have students begin a circle map with the words
Ancient Greece in the center circle. They will add to this thinking
organizer each day.
A Big Idea question
can go at the top,
here.

New information is
to be written inside
Ancient the outer circle,
Greece bullet style.

A Big Idea answer

can go at the
bottom, here.

Day 1: View Part 1 of smart board lesson Influence of Greece on

“Location of Greece and Greek Influence on American Architecture
and Culture” pages 4-6. Have students write new information learned
on their circle maps.

Preparation: make copies of map of Europe (page 27).

Hand out copies of the map page and have students locate and color
the following: The country of Italy (the boot), the country of
Greece, the city of Athens, and the Mediterranean Sea that boarders
Greece.

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Day 2: Preparation: Make copies of building pages = 1 picture of each

building per student. (Note: There are 2 pictures of the Supreme Court
on one page for half the printing.)

Hand out copies of buildings and long (12x17) construction paper. Fold
the paper in half (hamburger style). Have students paste the ancient
Greek Parthenon on top half. Have them paste the other buildings on
the bottom half. Have students label the similarities on each building:
carvings, columns, marble steps (This is a good activity to post on
bulletin board or in hall with the standard.)

Day 3: Click on link of last slide of SB lesson (page 23), to explore

“The Greek World”. Use SB lesson (page 13) to have students come
to smart board and write in the Venn Diagrams, to sort topics by
Ancient Greek Olympics, Modern Day Olympics or Both. See SB lesson
(page 14) for answer key. Have students add to their circle maps.

Day 4: Preparation: Make copies of “The Olympics” with questions

printed on the back (pages 29-30).
Read the article I wrote called, “The Olympics”, and have students
read to locate the answers for the comprehension questions.
Afterwards, have students add new information learned to their circle
maps.

Day 5: Preparation: You will need to register at one of the following

links. It is free.
http://www.gpb.org/education or
http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/

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Watch United Streaming Video “My Big Fat Greek Olympics”. Have
students add new information learned to their circle maps.

Use construction paper and fold it so there are eight squares. Inside
the four on the left, have students illustrate and label items
associated with ancient Greek Olympics (i.e. laurel wreaths, marathon,
coliseum, only males). Inside the four squares on the right, do the
same but with items associated with modern day Olympics (i.e. medals,
marathons, ice skating or other activities, both males and females,
many countries). (This is a good activity to post on bulletin board or in
hall with the standard.)

Day 6: View SB lesson (pages 15-20). Read and discuss voting in

Ancient Greece. Have students add to their circle maps.

Day 7: View SB lesson (pages 21). Read and discuss the two types of
democracy. Give instructions for role playing activity (see page 28).
Have students add to their Circle maps.

Day 8: Hand out the study guide. Have students work with a partner
to quiz each other over the material. Give “Matching Review” (page
24) for a grade. I have provided a key (page 26). You may choose
to allow them to use their study guide to locate the answers.

Day 9: Have students make a “double bubble map” to compare and

contrast ancient Olympics to modern day Olympics (pg 48). This is
similar to the Venn Diagram. Draw two circles “bubbles” with the names
of the topics to be compared. Draw circles between the two title
circles to list items that are similar between the two of them (how
they are alike). Draw lines connecting bubbles (see test answer key).
Then draw more circles on the outsides to list differences, and

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connect with lines. Note: The number of circles “bubble” do not have
to be the same on each side. See the double bubble map on the test
key for an example.

Day 10: Play this simple whole class game “Mystery Phrase”, using the
study guide to review. Divide the class into table teams or simply girls
and boys. Think of a unit-related phrase, like “The United States was
influenced by Greek Architecture and Culture”. Write this phrase on
the board, but use blanks instead of letters. Using the study guide,
ask a student from one group a question. If he or she answers
correctly, he or she gets to guess a letter (no vowels). If the letter
appears in the phrase, let the student roll the dice to determine
points. Now fill in all the blanks in the mystery phrase where that
letter belongs. For scoring, multiply the point value on the dice times
the number of blanks revealed with their letter choice. (example: If a
student choose the letter “t” in the phrase above, and rolled a 5 on
the dice, the score would be 35 = 7 x 5). Record that score on the
board under that team’s name and now call out a question for the
next player on the second team. (I draw an area called the Used
Letter Board, where I list letters that have already been called out
but were not in the puzzle.) When all blanks are revealed, and there
are only vowels left, I allow that team to try and guess the phrase
for an additional 30 points. If they can’t do it, then the next team
gets to try. Another option would be to allow them to “spend” some of
their points to “buy” vowels, like in Wheel of Fortune.

Day 11: Give Test

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KEY

Influence of Ancient Greece:

Architecture, Culture, and Government
Matching Review
Directions: Write the letter of the word or phrase in the box
that matches the sentences below.
b. Parthenon b. written law c. political ideas
d. columns e. democracy f. lottery g. jury
h. representative democracy i. direct democracy

____i___ 1. A form of government where all citizens directly participate in the decision
making process.

____b___ 2. What was first recorded in Greece in the 6th century?

____c___ 3. What did democracy most likely begin with?

____f___ 4. How were jury members selected in ancient Greece?

____h___ 5. A form of government where people choose others to represent them.

____d___ 6. Which architectural element is often seen in buildings and often associated
with Greece?

___e____ 7. A form of government where the citizens take charge of their own affairs
by electing their leaders.

___b____ 8. Which ancient Greek building looks similar to the U. S. Supreme Court and
Lincoln Memorial?

____g____ 9. A group of people in a court of law that decide if a person is innocent or

guilty of a crime they are accused of committing.

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KEY
The Influence of Greece
Unit Test
Circle the answer to the following questions.

16. Democracy means

a. ruled by a king
b. ruled by a small group
c. ruled by the people or citizens

17. In this type of democracy, citizens meet together to make decisions about
governing their city, state, or nation.
a. direct democracy
b. dictatorship
c. representative democracy

18. In this type of democracy, citizens choose other citizens to represent, or

stand for, them in the government.
a. direct democracy
b. dictatorship
c. representative democracy

19. Athenians believed that the people should be able to choose their
own______.
a. leaders
b. king
c. president

20. Leaders in the United states government are chosen by its

a. men only
b. citizens
c. jury

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21. Democracy originated, or started in

a. Athens, Greece
b. Washington, D. C.
c. Rome, Italy

22. Who was given the right to vote in ancient Athens?

a. adult males
b. adult females
c. foreigners living in Athens

23. What type of democracy was practiced in ancient Athens?

a. free
b. direct
c. representative

24. What type of democracy is practiced in the United States today?

a. free
b. direct
c. representative

25. Which of the following structures in Washington, D.C., most shows influence
of Greek architecture as seen in the Parthenon?
a. Washington Monument
b. Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall
c. U. S. Supreme Court building
d. White House

26. Which architectural element, often seen in government buildings, is

associated with ancient Greece?
a. domes
b. columns
c. porches

27. Where is Greece located?

a. in North America
b. in Italy
c. in Europe
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28. Where did the Olympics begin?

a. the United States
b. Atlanta
c. Greece

29. How are the Parthenon and the Lincoln Memorial building alike?
both include the following architectural elements:
columns,
marble steps, and
carvings

15 – 23. Use the words in the word/phrase bank to fill in the double
bubble map, to compare and contrast the Olympics of ancient Athens to
the Olympics of today.

Word / Phrase Bank

marathons coliseum rings stadium

recognized their athletes only males could compete

medals given as recognition
laurel wreaths as recognition both males and females could complete

laurel
wreaths as marathons stadium
recognition

only males Olympics Modern both males

compete of Ancient rings Day and females
Athens Olympics compete

recognized medals
coliseum their given as
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24. Which letter that shows the location of Greece.

a. A
b. B
c. C

B
A

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Name ________________________________ Date_____________________________

Double Bubble Activity for Comparing and Contrasting

Directions: Use the word / phrase band to compare and contrast ancient Greece to
the United States today.

Word / Phrase Bank

marathons coliseum columns rings stadium

recognized their athletes in Olympics only males could compete in Olympics

medals given as recognition laurel wreaths as recognition

both males and females could complete in Olympics

direct democracy representative democracy

Ancient United
Athens States

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