Classical Greek / Levels 7 and 8 / Understanding / Role of language and culture
Content description
Recognise that the language of the ancient Greeks provides insights into their daily lives, ideas, feelings and attitudes
Elaborations
investigating connections between language and significant cultural attitudes, for example, discussing how the terms ἐκκλησία, βουλή, πρυτάνεις, ψήφισμα and the expressions τὶς ἀγορεύειν βούλεται and ἔδοξε τῇ βουλῇ καὶ τῷ δήμῳ relate to the concept of citizenship in ancient Athens
understanding the factors, such as language, religion and culture, that unified the Ἕλληνες (Greeks) and set them apart from the βάρβαροι (non-Greeks)
exploring and discussing language use that reflects the social structure of the πόλις of Athens, encompassing both city and countryside, for example, citizen classes, metics, slaves, women
exploring and discussing references in texts to social structure in Sparta, including the Spartans, perioikoi and helots
comparing and contrasting references in texts to family life, social practices and education in Athens and Sparta
understanding the importance of religion in ancient Greek society, and its links to festivals and ceremonies, for example, by examining references in texts to worship of the Olympian gods and local heroes, the panhellenic festivals of the Olympic and Pythian Games, or the dramatic performances of the Dionysia in Athens
comparing language that reflects the status of men, youths, women and girls in domestic affairs and public life in ancient Athens and Sparta, such as the significance of the terms ἀνδρεία, κύριος, κηδεμών, παρθένος
exploring the colloquial language that ancient Greeks used for greetings, or answering questions about daily life, such as χαῖρε/χαίρετε, πῶςἔχεις/ἔχετε; τὶἔστιν;
