The ancient Greeks and Romans were two groups of people who made significant contributions to society in terms of architecture, government, and sports. The ancient Greeks and Romans have influenced the lives of people today.

Terms to know

Contribution: The act of giving or doing something

Direct democracy: A government in which people vote to make their own rules and laws

Representative democracy: A government in which people vote for (elect) a smaller group of citizens to make their rules and laws for everyone

Characteristics: Different traits

The Government of the United States

The government is based on the ideas developed in ancient Greece and Rome.

Greece: Birthplace of democracy (government by the people); a direct democracy

Rome: Republican (representative) form of government; a representative democracy

Geography

Ancient Greece and Rome were located on land near the Mediterranean Sea.

Ancient Greece: located among mountains and hills, surrounded by Mediterranean Sea limited rich soil

Ancient Rome: located next to a river city built on many hills limited rich soil

People adapt to their environment in different ways.

Ways they adapted to their environments Ancient Greece: They farmed on hillsides; trading took place on the Mediterranean Sea; small independent communities developed because of the many mountains.

Ancient Rome: They farmed on hillsides; trading took place on the Mediterranean Sea.

Sports

Olympic games of today are modeled after the games of ancient Greece.

Human characteristics (JOBS)

Ancient Greeks were Farmers, shipbuilders, and traders

Ancient Romans were Farmers, road builders, and traders

The Arts

Mosaics, sculpture, and paintings are displayed on buildings.

Architecture

The architects of ancient Greece and Rome used columns and arches in the construction of their buildings.

Ancient examples still exist today: (be able to identify what they look like)

Greece—The Parthenon (columns)

Rome—The Colosseum and aqueducts (arches)