Significant Figures in Ancient Greece

Assignment to hand in:  Biography of Significant Figure

Step 1: Introduction - Look at the picture of the statue of Demosthenes and read the following text:

Ancient Greeks often created statues to honor citizens who made great contributions to city-states in the field of art, mathematics, politics, and science. Artists usually made these life-size sculptures of bronze or marble and then painted them. While most of these original statues have been lost to history, many Roman copies remain. This statue of Demosthenes (pronounced deh-MAHS-thah-neez), a great public speaker, or orator, is a Roman copy of a bronze Greek original.
Demosthenes became one of Greece's greatest orators, even though as a youth he suffered from shortness of breath and spoke with a lisp. Demosthenes overcame these handicaps by practicing to speak louder than the roar of the ocean with his moth full of pebbles. The sculptures created in his honor recognized the importance of Demosthenes' efforts to warn Athenians of the dangers of Philip of Macedonia. At first, Athenians ignored his warnings that King Philip was planning to conquer the Greek city-states. Eventually, however, they recognized the danger, and formed an alliance with Thebes, a city-state northwest of Athens. Nevertheless, Philip of Macedonia conquered all of Greece. During the Macedonian occupation of Athens, Demosthenes often spoke out against the foreign rule. After the death of Alexander the Great - Philip's son and successor - Demosthenes suggested that the Greek city-states try to free themselves. As a result, angry Macedonian officials demanded that the Athenians turn Demosthenes over to them so they could bring him to trial as a traitor. Rather than submit to his enemies, Demosthenes committed suicide.
In 280 B.C.E., 42 years after Demosthenes' death, a Greek artist created the original statue of him at the request of Demosthenes' nephew. The Athenians placed it in the agora, or marketplace, near the Altar of the Twelve Gods. When archeologists discovered the stature, the forearms were missing. Sculptors restored the statue, creating different versions of it with its arms in various dramatic positions.

Step 2: Research and Choose Your Significant Greek Figure - Read each summary of the important figures below, browse some of the corresponding website links provided, then choose one of them to research more in depth.

More Information:
Aristotle - Wikipedia
Aristotle - History for Kids
Aristotle - The History Guide
Aristotle - Answers.com

More Information:
Aspasia - Wikipedia
Aspasia - Crucible of Civilization (PBS)
Aspasia - History's Women
Aspasia - History Whiz

More Information:
Pericles - Wikipedia
Pericles - Crucible of Civilization (PBS)
Pericles - Answers.com

More Information:
Plato - Wikipedia
Plato - History for Kids
Plato - Answers.com
Plato - Philosophypages.com

More Information:
Pythagoras - Wikipedia
Pythagoras - History for Kids
Pythagoras - MSN Encarta
Pythagoras - Math Open Reference

More Information:
Sappho - Wikipedia
Sappho - History for Kids
Sappho - About.com
Sappho - Poetry Archive

More Information:
Sophocles - Wikipedia
Sophocles - History for Kids
Sophocles - MSN Encarta
Sophocles - About.com

More Information:
Thucydides - Wikipedia
Thucydides - History for Kids
Thucydides - Answers.com
Thucydides - The History Guide

Step 3: Create a Biography of a Significant Figure in Ancient Greece - Choose one of the methods to summarize the ancient Greek figure you've chosen and his/her contributions to the world.

1. Write a 250 word (minimum) essay biography.
2. Create a illustrative scrapbook/brochure of their life (3-4 pages).
3. Create a PowerPoint presentation (4 - 5 slides with text and visuals).
4. Other? - Approve another idea to summarize your Greek figures life with your teacher.

Supplemental Website:
Agora Excavations (Virtual 360 degree tour)

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