Greece Teacher Notes The Literacy Key

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HOMEPAGE    HISTORY    GEOGRAPHY    R.E.

Ancient Greek Temples

1. Ancient Greek temples were built as earthly homes for the gods and goddesses.

2. Greek towns and cities competed with each other to build the biggest and finest temple they could.

3. As there were so many Greek gods and goddesses and each Greek temple was dedicated to an individual one, there were many temples.

4. The design of all Ancient Greek temples was similar.

5. All had a main room, or cella, where the statue of the god would be found behind which was a smaller room for sacred vessels and robes.

6. Ancient Greek temples were made from marble and limestone.

7. The temples were decorated with beautiful friezes and statues, often in bright colours.

8. Building the temples was a huge undertaking which often took the Ancient Greeks several years.

9. Blocks of stone such as marble were brought on wagons from quarries and hoisted into place using ropes and pulleys.

10. A row of columns would be found around the outside of the Ancient Greek temples.

11. The Ancient Greeks built the columns in three different styles, ionic, doric or corinthian.

12. Doric columns were broad and had plain tops.

13. Ionic columns were thinner and more elegant with a scroll decoration at the top.

14. Corinthian columns were the fanciest and were decorated with many carved leaves at the top.

15. A stone altar would be placed outside the temple for sacrifices and offerings.

16. Ancient Greeks believed that gods could be bribed to give their assistance by gifts and sacrifices.

17. A range of objects such as swords and shields, musical instruments and household items were offered as gifts.

18. When sacrifices took place, animals such as oxen, goats and sheep were killed and their flesh and bones burnt .

19. Ancient Greeks believed that the gods, like people, would be attracted by the smell of the meat rising up as it burned.

20. The Parthenon is a famous Ancient Greek temple, dedicated to the goddess Athena, built on the highest point of the Acropolis in Athens.