Year 4 - History
The Ancient Greek Olympic Games
Ancient Greek civilisation: what is its most significant legacy?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils develop their understanding of historical significance whilst examining the legacy of ancient Greek civilisation. They build knowledge of various facets of ancient Greek civilisation: its philosophers, the Olympics, Athenian democracy, its language and architecture.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to compare the Ancient Greek Olympic Games with those that are held in the modern period.
Key Notes
- The first Olympic Games were held at Olympia in 776 BCE in honour of the gods and as part of a wider religious festival.
- Ancient Greeks believed that they would offend the Gods if they were to cheat in the Games.
- Images on Ancient Greek pottery show us the sports that comprised the ancient Games and that only men could compete.
- The ancient Olympic Games have left a lasting legacy in the form of the modern Olympic Games.
- There are similarities and differences between the ancient and modern Olympic Games.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Olympia: Olympia was a plain in southwestern Ancient Greece
- Olympic Games: the Olympic Games is an athletic and sporting competition held every four years
- festival: a festival is a repeated ceremony or celebration involving special activities
- legacy: a legacy is the long-lasting impact of historical events, actions, a person or group of people
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- That Olympia and Mount Olympus are either the same thing or in the same place.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
The first Olympic Games were held at Olympia in 776 BCE in honour of the gods and as part of a wider religious festival. Ancient Greeks believed that they would offend the Gods if they were to cheat in the Games.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'Olympia'
Olympia was a plain in southwestern Ancient Greece.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: That Olympia and Mount Olympus are either the same thing or in the same place. Correction: There are approximately 200 miles between the locations of Olympia and Mount Olympus. Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece, whereas Olympia was a large flat plain. Mount Olympus was the mythical home of the 12 major gods, Olympia was not.
More Lessons In This Unit
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