3. The Ancient Greeks were descended from the Mycenaeans, who were also the first writers and speakers of ‘Ancient Greek’. A famous legend tells how, in 1180 B.C., the mighty Mycenaeans conquered the city of Troy – by hiding inside a giant wooden horse! The horse was left outside the city’s walls and, thinking it a gift, the people of Troy wheeled it inside… only for the sneaky Mycenaean soldiers to creep out and seize the city!

Question

4. Did you know that the Ancient Greeks invented the theatre? They loved watching plays, and most cities had a theatre – some big enough to hold 15,000 people! Only men and boys were allowed to be actors, and they wore masks, which showed the audience whether their character was happy or sad. Some of the masks had two sides, so the actor could turn them around to change the mood for each scene.

5. Most Ancient Greeks wore a chiton, which was a long T-shirt made from one large piece of cotton. The poor slaves, however, had to make do with a loincloth (a small strip of cloth wrapped around the waist)!

6. The Ancient Greeks held many festivals in honour of their gods. To celebrate the god Zeus, for example, the first Greek Olympics were held in the city of Olympia in 776 B.C. and are thought to have inspired our own Olympic Games! The winners of each event were given a wreath of leaves, and when they returned home, they would be given free meals and the best seats in the theatre!

Please take some important notes

Answer 1

Sure! Here are some important notes based on the provided information about Ancient Greece:

1. Mycenaeans and Ancient Greek Origins:

   • Ancient Greeks descended from the Mycenaeans.
   • Mycenaeans were the first writers and speakers of “Ancient Greek”.
   • Famous legend of the Trojan War (1180 B.C.) where Mycenaeans conquered Troy using a giant wooden horse.

2. Theatre:

   • Ancient Greeks invented theatre and loved watching plays.
   • Theatres were common in cities, some could hold up to 15,000 people.
   • Only men and boys acted in plays; they wore masks to convey emotions (happy/sad).
   • Some masks had two sides for actors to change emotions easily.

3. Clothing:

   • Most Ancient Greeks wore a chiton, a long garment made from one piece of cotton.
   • Poor slaves typically wore a loincloth, a small strip of cloth around the waist.

4. Festivals and Olympics:

   • Festivals were held in honor of the gods, such as Zeus.
   • The first Greek Olympics were celebrated in Olympia in 776 B.C.
   • Ancient Olympics inspired the modern Olympic Games.
   • Winners received wreaths of leaves, free meals, and the best seats in theatres upon returning home.