Lou Waryncia - If I Were a Kid in Ancient Greece

The ruins of the Parthenon still overlook modern Athens.

From something as simple as chewing gum, to something as important as the Olympic Games, the ancient Greeks gave us many gifts that we still use today.

What kind of gum do you likegrape, spearmint, or mastic? Kids in ancient Greece didnt have a choice. They collected sticky sap from the mastic tree and chewed it, just as we chew bubblegum today.

If you lived in the ancient city-state of Athens, you could look and see the white columns of the Parthenon. The Athenians built this temple on top of the Acropolis, the hill overlooking the city. They dedicated it to the goddess Athena. Architects all over the world have copied Greek designs.

Have you ever been to a theater where live plays are performed? In ancient Greece, there were huge open-air theaters that held more than 10,000 people.

Drama was a Greek invention. The word drama comes from the Greek word for action. Greek writers wrote the first tragedies (sad plays) and comedies (funny plays). Some of those ancient plays are still performed today.

Power to the People

Our system of democracy also has its roots in ancient Greece. The Athenians believed it was important for all citizens to be involved in their government. However, only men 18 years old or older were allowed to be citizens. Today, the United States has a democracy, too. When you turn 18, you can vote in elections.

Have you watched the Olympic Games or seen a marathon race? The first Olympic Games were held more than 2,500 years ago in Olympia, in western Greece. The games were held every four years to honor the great god Zeus.

The first marathon was a communication event, not a sporting event. Messages in ancient Greece were carried by men who could run the long distances between cities. Phidippides, a famous Athenian messenger, ran about 26 miles from Marathon to Athens with an important message. Todays marathon races, which are also 26 miles long, were named for his amazing run. Maybe youll train to run in a marathon race someday. When you do, remember the gifts of the Greeks.

So what was it really like to be a kid in ancient Greece? The best place to start is at home.

Wipe your feet! Wear your helmet! Practice the piano! Does it feel like someone is always telling you what to do? Dont feel bad. In ancient Greece, parents ruled over their children with a firm hand. If you were a kid then, here are some of the rules you would have had to obey.

Recite your lessons!

Education was very important. Many boys even had their own private teachers. Their lessons included poetry, history, and philosophy. Girls were taught at home by their mothers.

Go practice your lyre!

Music was very important. Almost all kids played an instrument. Some kids practiced their lyres, double-pipes, or horns for three hours every day!

Go to the gym!

Boys went to the gym to become strong and fit. And they wrestled naked!

Go to the temple!

Greeks worshipped many gods. Families often went to the temples together to offer gifts, but sometimes kids went by themselves.

Be brave!

So you dont want to go to the temple by yourself or fight in the mock battle? Too bad. Boys and girls in ancient Greece were expected to be brave in all kinds of danger.

Home, Sweet Home

What was it like to live in an ancient Greek house? Most houses were built around a large open courtyard. The rooms were arranged to let in as much daylight as possible. City houses were small, with just two or three rooms. Country houses had as many as a dozen rooms. The houses were built of inexpensive materials, such as sun-dried mud bricks. The walls were plastered or paintedwhite, red, yellow, and black were the favorite colors. The Greeks also decorated their walls with fabric hangings or wall paintings. Most houses had packed-earth or stone floors, but a few were finished with mosaics, colored bits of glass or stone.