Lesson 2: The Greek City-States
Send In Activity 2:
1. What was a city-state? Define this term in your own words. (3 marks)
2. How was the development of the city-state a result of the natural environment of Greece? (2 marks)
3. Identify three things the Greek city-states had in common. (3 marks)
4. The Greek city-states were determined to keep their independence. Identify one advantage and one disadvantage of them remaining separate. (2 marks)
5. For Sale Advertisement (10 marks)
Most city-states had a central meeting and marketplace known as the agora. Here people met to talk business and politics and to do their shopping. Merchants sold fish, fruits and vegetables, wine, pottery, leather goods, jewellery, and other products in the agora. Cobblers repaired sandals and barbers cut hair and trimmed beards. Street performers entertained others by playing musical instruments, or perhaps by juggling. The agora was a lively place.
Imagine you are a merchant in the agora. Place an ad in the local newspaper, The Greek Daily Blab advertising what you have for sale.
Marking Guide
- Ad is similar in style to ones you would find in a modern newspaper (e.g., tells what is for sale, describes it in a catchy way, and tells who to contact or where to go if interested).
- Item(s) chosen is / are historically accurate for Ancient Greece and are well described.
- Ad contains vocabulary and other factual information learned in this lesson.
Helpful Web sites:Check out some of these Web sites to learn more about the Greek agora, including information on some of the products that were sold there. This will help you to prepare for your ad. Click here to see some examples as well.
http://www.historyforkids.org/greekciv/dailylife/commerce/agora.htm
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/greeks/index.htm
Check out the various topics on this site to see what sorts of things the Ancient Greeks wore, ate, etc. These might have been products purchased in the agora.