The “Golden Age” of Greece began around 2500 years ago. The country was divided into small states, each consisting of a city or town and surrounding villages. The city-state of Athens was the most powerful of all. It was full of beautiful temples and theatres, and the Athenian people lived well. The Greeks prized freedom of speech. Political speeches were often made in the city marketplace.

Gods and goddesses

The ancient Greeks worshipped dozens of gods and goddesses. The twelve most important were said to live on Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece. Zeus was king of the Olympian gods, and also god of the sky, thunder and lightning. Hera, queen of the gods, was goddess of women and childbirth. The most important gods and goddesses had temples built in their honour.

The Parthenon

A group of buildings were built on the Acropolis, a rocky outcrop that still dominates Athens today. At the heart of the Acropolis was the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the city’s goddess, Athena. The Greeks used columns for many of their temples and public buildings. They were made by standing one block of stone on top of another.

Art

Vases were often decorated with tales of gods, goddesses and heroes. Many also had scenes of everyday life, showing musicians, sportsmen and warriors painted on them. Sculptors created beautiful, life-like statues of both gods and real people.

Olympic Games

The original Olympic Games were held near Olympia, in southern Greece, every four years from 776 BC. At this time, Greece was made up of several city-states who were at war with one another. They declared a truce (ceasefire) for the Games, and sent their best athletes to compete. There were running races, throwing and jumping events, fight contests and chariot-racing. Only men were allowed to compete.

Science and ideas

The ancient Greeks had many ideas that have passed down to us today. They were the first to use a system of government called democracy, in which ordinary people choose their leaders by voting for them. Greek doctors understood that some illnesses could be cured by medicines made from herbs and plants.

The Greek alphabet spread from Greece to become the basis of the one we use today. Brilliant writers, mathematicians and scientists lived in ancient Greece. Clever thinkers, called philosophers, including Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, asked questions about the world that still puzzle us today.