GREECE...originated in ancient times-philosophy, democracy, medicine, literature, art, theater...

GREECEDiscovery Chest

Artifact Description Cards

THOUGHTS ON ANCIENT AND MODERN GREEK HISTORY AND CULTURE

Located on the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula, the European country of Greece is known for its rich ancient history. Many of the ideas that

originated in ancient times-philosophy, democracy, medicine, literature, art, theater architecture as well as numerous other topics have

influenced our modern day world.

Greece is a land of rugged mountains, shady olive trees and more varieties of wildflowers than any other European country. Its beautiful islands

have attracted tourists for years. According to Greek mythology, in a war between the gods, the Titans tore the tops off mountains, using them as

weapons. The rocky peaks fell into the sea, thus creating the many islands of Greece. Mythology, history and folklore have shaped the way

people thought during ancient times. The land itself shaped their way of life and has made a footprint on many cultures around the globe.

Greece is believed to have been first settled around 3000 B.C., when invaders swept down from the north. The invaders did not reach the island

of Crete, home of the Minoan civilization. This civilization was advanced and progressive for its time. The Minoans lived in lavish cities and

palaces. They were a literate people using their own hieroglyphic writing system. They had flushing toilets, hot and cold running water and

thermal heating systems. In about 1600 B.C. an eruption occurred just north of Crete on the island of Thera (Santorini). This eruption caused

earthquakes, tidal waves and threw up huge clouds of ash, ruining crops and burying cities thus, destroying the Minoan civilization.

The decline of the Minoan civilization allowed the Mycenaeans to take over Crete and become major traders in the eastern Mediterranean. They

set up colonies in northern Greece and Italy from which they shipped goods to markets throughout the Mediterranean. Eventually, Mycenaean

society began to fall apart when invaders from Europe invaded Greece.

About 300 years after the Mycenaean civilization declined, the Greeks started to join together in small groups for protection and stability. They

began to form city-states called “polis”. Each had its own rulers, army and individual type of government. Our own democracy is based on the

government of Athens at the time. The creation of the city-states marked the beginning of what is known as Greece’s Classical Age which was

recognized as an era of great achievements.

The Classical Period, in the context of the art, architecture, and culture of ancient Greece, began in the 5th century B.C. Greece led the world in

science, mathematics, culture and the arts. The city-states were at war and fought violently amongst each other. In 338 B.C., Philip of

Macedonia conquered the Greek city-states. His son, Alexander the Great, enlarged the empire by introducing Greek culture to the lands he

conquered.

THOUGHTS ON ANCIENT AND MODERN GREEK HISTORY AND CULTURE (Continued)

Over the next 2,000 years, from 145 B.C. onward, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottoman Turks ruled Greece in succession. Although Greece gained its

Independence from Turkey in 1830, there was unrest among the Greeks. In 1974, Greece rejected its military government and became a

democratic republic.

Greece’s landscape and mountainsides has shaped its people, as to the way they live, where they live and the type of work they do. Its people

live no more than 60 miles from the sea. The rugged terrain and dry, rocky soil allows agriculture to flourish on only one third of the land.

Transportation is difficult. Although farmland is limited, half the Greek population works in agriculture. Olives, olive oil, figs, raisins, tobacco,

sugar and wheat have been the country’s valuable assets. The bare rocky land is perfect for growing olive trees.

In villages along the coast and on the islands many other Greeks earn their living from the sea. Using open, single mast wooden fishing boats

known as “kay-e-kees”. The whole family can be involved in the fishing business. Sponge diving was once also a very prosperous but dangerous

way to earn a living.

Many Greeks also work in the tourist industry. Spectacular historic sites are all over the mainland. The islands draw people from all over the

world for their breathtaking beaches, windmills, snow-white streets, unique homes, caves and historic sites which, vary greatly among each

island.

Finally, one third of the population works and lives in the modern day capital of Athens. Both men and women in the household work in

government offices, banks or other public positions hoping to earn a good living. In rural Greece, in the remote villages, the traditional way of

natural living has continued very much the same way for centuries. Donkeys are still the major way of transportation, and everyone knows one

another. In the evenings, people gather in the main square to chat, or sing and dance to Greek folk music. Men will play backgammon or sway

their worry beads. Women will work on needlepoints or share amazing sweet recipes. The official religion Greek Orthodoxy plays a major role in

the daily lives of all Greeks- always devout and prayer filled attending church services.

Greek culture and traditions have always been rich and meaningful and a major source of pride for all Greeks. The way the Greeks have

influenced the entire world will always be a reminder of their greatness and excellence.

Embroidered Tapestry

Greece1A, CRAFTS

Who would have used this item?• Members of the household, primarily in the third

century, BC.What is this?• Fabric made of sheep’s fleece, woven into fine thread

and dyed with bright colors. It was used as clothing for members of the household, wall hangings, covers/cushions for furniture, and sacks/backpacks to carry items.

What is its significance?• It was considered to be very important for the women

of Greece to be able to weave.

Greek Sandals

Greece1B, CLOTHING

Who would have used this item?• Anyone.What is this?• Early Greek sandals were made from a stiff leather or wooden

sole to which leather straps were attached. Much could be told about a person just by the style of their sandals. Sandals revealed social status, as there were styles reserved for the wealthy, high officials, stage performers, and workers.

What is its significance?• The craft of shoemaking was believed to be watched over by

Apollo, god of the sun, music, poetry, and healing, among others. Hermes and Iris, the messengers of the gods, were always pictured in winged sandals, and goddesses such as Hera, the queen of the gods, and Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, were often depicted in golden sandals.

Women’s Head Scarf

Greece2B, CLOTHING

Who would have used this item?• Women.What is this?• A hair accessory. In ancient times, Greek women were

expected to fully cover their bodies, although more styles of hair shown on ancient Greek art depict that women wore their hair down. During the classical period, women’s hair was worn high at the back of the head and held in place with a net and ribbons. Headbands and other gold hair decorations were worn on special occasions.

What is its significance?• Hair accessories like the scarf have been used from the 5th

and 4th centuries BC to the present day.

Fisherman’s Hat

Greece3B, CLOTHING

Who would have used this item?• Fishermen, but today anyone can wear it.What is this?• It is a soft cap with a firm, small visor brim made of black wool

fabric. Traditionally, a braid rests between the visor and the crown. Fishermen and maritime military groups often wore this style hat. It was first created in 1886 in Athens, and became extremely popular in the 1960s because John Lennon frequently wore it.

What is its significance?• The fishing industry was a way of life for many men on the

Greek islands. Fishing today continues to thrive and allows many island locals to survive in Greece’s present day economic situation.

Evzones Shoes (Tsarouchia)

Greece4B, CLOTHING

Who would have used this item?• The Greek Presidential Guard.What is this?• Part of the Presidential Guard uniform. The toe of the

Tsarouchia is pointed upwards and covered by a black silk pom pom which is hand cut to shape. The base of the shoe is made from cowhide and over 300 hand stitches are required to hold each shoe together.

What is its significance?• Shoes that weigh over three kilograms and feature at least

60 nails on the base of the shoe which simulate the sound of battle.

Evzonas Hat (Farion)

Greece5B, CLOTHING

Who would have used this item?• The Greek Presidential Guard.What is this?• A hat made from a soft red felt-like, woolen material, featuring a long

silk tassel. The front of the cap has the Greek coat of arms with the officer’s rank displayed underneath.

What is its significance?• The dramatic length of the tassel is difficult to untangle which

encourages the guards to maintain an extreme upright posture to avoid the trouble.

Amalia Costume

Greece6B, CLOTHING

Who would have used this item?• Women or girls.What is this?• The Amalia dress is a traditional Greek folk costume created by Queen

Amalia. It is a romantic, folksy dress, influenced by Western European fashion and combining details from Greek traditional costume. It was most popular from 1837 to 1862.

What is its significance?• The outfit is the result of an attempt to establish a unifying symbol of

Greek identity. On various occasions, such as Greek national days, young girls sometimes amuse themselves by wearing lower-quality Amalia dresses for Carnival or dress-up parties.

Amalia’s Shoes

Greece7B, CLOTHING

Who would have used this item?• Amalia, wife of first modern king of Greece.What is this?• Leather slippers with gold trim. It was used most often from 1837-

1862.What is its significance?• Queen Amalia highlighted fashion and beauty to her impoverished

country, immediately impacting social life and fashion to her people, who inspired her to create a romantic court dress, which became a national symbol.

Amphora Vase

Greece1C, ARTS & CULTURE

Who would have used this item?• Used by all the great trading nations, from the Phoenicians to the

Romans, the sturdy-walled amphora spread throughout the ancient world.

What is this?• A jar with two vertical handles. It was used in antiquity for the

storage and transportation of foodstuffs such as wine and olive oil. The paintings on the pottery provide clues as to dates of sites, trade relations, and everyday diet.

What is its significance?• The name derives from the Greek amphi-phoreus, meaning “carried

on both sides.”

Doric Column


Who would have seen this?• Anyone, as it was part of the architecture of Greece.What is this?• Doric columns were the most simple and the thickest of the Greek styles. They

had no decoration at the base and a simple capital at the top. Doric columns tapered so they were wider on the bottom than at the top.

What is its significance?• First style of columns used in the Parthenon. It had 46 outer Doric columns,

each 6 feet in diameter and 34 feet tall.

Ionic Column

Greece,3C, ARTS & CULTURE

Who would have seen this?• Anyone, as it was part of the architecture of Greece.What is this?• More slender, feminine, and more ornate than the

earlier Doric style, an Ionic column has scroll-shaped ornaments on the capital, at the top of the column shaft.

What is its significance?• The design originated in 565 BC in Ionia, an eastern region

of Ancient Greece. Early examples of Ionic columns are found in Temple of Hera at Samos, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Temple of Athena Nike, and more.

Corinthian Column


Who would have seen this?• Anyone, as it was part of the architecture of Greece.What is this?• The Corinthian style is more complex and elaborate than the

earlier Doric and Ionic Orders. The capital, or top part, of a Corinthian style column has lavish ornamentation carved to resemble leaves and flowers. Because of its opulence, the style is more suited for Greek Revival mansions and public architecture such as government buildings, especially related to courts and laws.

What is its significance?• The death of a young girl from the city-state of Corinth inspired the

sculptor Callimachus to make Corinthian columns. He was inspired by the leaves and stalks that grew up through the basket the girl was buried in because it created a delicate explosion of natural beauty. This imagery was incorporated into the tops of the columns.

Parthenon


What is this?• A marble temple built in the 5th century BC during the height

of the ancient Greek Empire. It is a temple for Athena, the goddess of wisdom, arts, literature, and war. A shrine to Athena was built within the temple featuring a statue of the goddess that is believed to have stood 39 feet tall.

How did it originate?• The celebrated Greek statesman Pericles is credited with

ordering the design and construction of the Parthenon. Building began in 477 BC. Construction continued for almost four decades, ending in 438 BC.

What is its significance?• It is estimated that 13,400 stones were used to build the

temple, at a total cost of roughly 7 million US dollars today.

Comedy and Tragedy Masks


Who would have used this item?• Actors.What is this?• Costumes for plays. Plays were first performed at

festivals to honor Dionysus, the god of the grapevine, who inspired the great playwrights. The actors wore large detailed masks that amplified their voices to the farthest rows of the theater.

What is its significance?• The origins of modern theater can be traced to ancient

Greece in Athens.

Kyathos Drinking Vessel


Who would have used this item?• The higher, elite class.What is this?• A red-figure painted drinking vessel with a tall, round,

slightly tapering bowl and a single, flat, long, looping handle. It was used primarily in late sixth century BC.

What is its significance?• The vessel shows either scenes of celebration or of

wartime victories. It depicts the strength of Greece through a silhouette style painting.

Olympic Games Ancient & Modern

Greece1E, GAMES

Who would have participated in this?• Male citizens.What is this?• A ceremonial sports competition in which athletes from every city-state

would face off in athletic challenges. Aimed to show the physical qualities and evolution of the performances, the ancient Olympic Games were primarily a part of a religious festival in honor of Zeus, the father of the Greek gods and goddesses.

What is its significance?• The first ancient Olympic Games can be traced back to 776 BC on the

ancient plains of Olympia. The ancient games continued for nearly 12 centuries, until Emperor Theodosius decreed in 393 AD that all such "pagan cults" be banned. But on April 6, 1896, the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece. The games are celebrated every four years, including summer, winter and special Olympic sports. Both men and women compete.

Olive Oil Soap

Greece1F, EVERYDAY USE ITEMS

Who would have used this item?• France and countries in the Mediterranean under the

Ottoman Empire, such as the Greek island of Crete.What is this?• Olive oil, like all fats and oils, is transformed into soap by

adding lye (soda ash is very similar to lye). It is a part of Greek daily routine and tradition, keeping good hygiene.

What is its significance?• Back in the days before soap was invented, it is said that

when the ancient Egyptians wanted to clean themselves, they spread olive oil on their skin. The olive oil stuck to the dirt, and could then be scraped away.

Olive Branch


Who would have used this item?• Victors of athletic festivals.What is this?• The wreath of olive leaves was instituted as the prize for

victors at Olympia in 752 BC, on the advice of the Oracle at Delphi.

What is its significance?• The wreath was given to the winner of the Pan– Hellenic

Festivals.

Worry Beads

Who would have used this item?• Anyone.What is this?• Monks first began making strands of beads by tying knots

on a string at regular intervals in order to say their prayers to God. However, since their advent in the mid 20th

century, the komboloi is meant for religious or ceremonial purposes but rather for fun and relaxation.

What is its significance?• The Komboloi may be one of the most typical symbols of

the Greek easy-going mentality that has been widely established both in Greece and Cyprus since the middle of the 20th century.


Evil Eye

Who would have used this item?• Anyone.What is this?• Evil eyes can come in many forms, but are usually made into

jewelry like necklaces, earrings, bracelets, etc. They can also be used as house ornaments and keychains. The idea is that the gaze of someone who harbors feelings of envy or jealousy can bring misfortune upon the one who is seen—the one who "gets the evil eye." Those who receive the evil eye are often expected to experience health problems or other forms of bad luck.

What is its significance?• It is mentioned or discussed in many ancient texts including

the Old Testament, Talmudic literature, and the Koran.


Greek FlagWho would have used this item?• Citizens of Greece and major cities throughout the US

(Manhattan, Chicago, Tampa, Baltimore).What is this?• The Greek national flag. On special days, such as March

25, which commemorates the Independence War in 1821, school children would hold flag parades and march in traditional Greek costume.

What is its significance?• During the nineteenth century under Ottoman Empire

rule, Greece wanted religious freedom and cultural development. In the 1820s there was an Independent movement and the flag became a revolutionary symbol.


Natural Sea SpongeWho would have used this item?• Anyone.What is this?• A jelly-like marine creature with a body full of

pores found in the warm waters of southeastern Mediterranean. In fact, the entire Greek sponge industry was centered on a string of islands in the Aegean Sea, called the Dodecanese Islands. The sponges were used for scrubbing and cleaning purposes, and for maintaining personal hygiene. Sponges were also used for padding helmets and for filtering water.

What is its significance?• Sponge diving has become a main source of income for

bringing in wealth to the island.


DrachmasWho would have used this item?• Drachmas circulated the entire Mediterranean basin

and traveled as far as India, as a result of the conquests of Alexander the Great.

What is this?• Drachma is the silver coin of ancient Greece, dating

from 500 BC, and the former monetary unit of modern Greece. It is one of the oldest currencies in the world, dating back to 500 BC.

What is its significance?• It was the most widely used currency among the city-

states.


Amalia Doll

Who would have used this item?• Children.What is this?• A child’s toy, used from the mid-1800s to the present. What is its significance?• It was modeled after Queen Amalia, who was known for her spirit of

fashion to the people of Greece.

Greece1G, TRADITIONS

Evzones DollWho would have used this item?• Children.What is this?• A doll of a Greek Presidential Guard, or Evzones. They are a group of

elite Greek soldiers who are trained to perform various ceremonial duties.

What is its significance?• The Evzones stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the

Presidential Palace. They also raise and lower the flag at the Acropolis every Sunday.


Greek DonkeyWho would have used this item?• Anyone on a Greek island.What is this?• The donkey was a mode of transportation of people and

goods. Using donkeys for transportation has been referenced to in the Bible: Joseph and Mary were riding a donkey on their way to Egypt. On Palm Sunday, Christ came to Jerusalem on the back of a donkey.

What is its significance?• The donkey carries a connection to Greek mythology in

which the donkey was sacred to the Goddess Hestia. The female donkey was a symbol of knowledge, humility, poverty, courage, and peace.


St. NicholasWho was he?• He was an early Christian bishop of the ancient Greek city of Myra

in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) during the time of the Roman Empire. He lived from 270 CE—343 CE.

What was he known for?• He is the patron saint of Greece, where his primary role is the

protector of sailors and seamen. He is regarded as a master of wind and storms.

What is its significance?• Saint Nicholas' Feast Day (December 6th) became a traditional day

for gift giving in most of Western mainland Europe. It remains a popular tradition and for children, receiving presents on Saint Nicholas Day is still a bigger event than Christmas.


Bouzouki Replica

Who would have used this item?• Musicians.What is this?• A Greek musical instrument with a half sphere belly

and an arm of double length. It has three double metallic strings. The front of body is flat and heavily inlaid with mother-of-pearl. It is usually played with a plectrum and has a metallic sound.

What is its significance?• It was brought over by Greek immigrants in the

1900s from Asia Minor, and quickly became a central instrument.

Greece2H, MUSIC

GREECE...originated in ancient times-philosophy, democracy, medicine, literature, art, theater...

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