AGE OF PERICLES
Ancient Athens reached its peak during the leadership of Pericles from 461
to 429 BC. Pericles promoted democracy, the arts, and literature. Many of the city's great
structures were built during this time, including rebuilding much of the Acropolis. The Parthenon
was built to store gold.
6.
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LAW
Athens did not have a police force like today, but any victim of a crime could arrest the
criminal and bring him to justice in front of a judge. If the person could not make the arrest, the
judge could. Anyone could request legal action and a trial would take place. Trials in ancient
Athens only lasted one day. Citizens over thirty years old served as the jury. People were never
imprisoned if they were found guilty in ancient Greece. They were usually fined or exiled (sent
away). They could also lose part of their citizenship. People who were found guilty of more
serious crimes, like murder, were executed.
EDUCATION
Education in Athens was extremely important. Girls learned how to cook, sew, run a
home, and be a good wife and mother. Boys went to school where they memorized poetry and
learned to play a musical instrument, usually the lyre. Other topics of study were public
speaking, drama, reading, and writing. Nobles' sons went to high school, four more years of
learning about the sciences, arts, politics and government.
Matching
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Pericles
Democracy
Strategoi
Athena
Parthenon
Agora
Lyre
Mint
A. Center of commerce and government in Athens
B. Most Athenian boys learned to play this instrument
C. Where coins were made in Ancient Greece
D. Temple built to honor Athena
E. Ancient Athens reached its peak under this leader
F. Athens was the birthplace of this government type
G. Ten military leaders
H. Athens was named after this Greek goddess
-n in a mig
on ended soon afterw
ful empire of its time