The sea was the Greeks' highway! Greek sailors built swift wooden ships with big square sails and rows of oars. A famous kind of warship called a trireme had THREE rows of rowers on each side and a pointed ram at the front.
Greek farmers could not grow much wheat in their rocky soil, but two plants loved the Greek hills: olive trees and grape vines. Greeks pressed olives into oil, which they used for cooking, for lamps, and even as soap!
Greek traders sailed to faraway lands and swapped olive oil, wine, and painted pottery for wheat, timber, and metals. Greek pottery was famous everywhere — vases painted with black and orange figures showing heroes, gods, and everyday life. Many still survive today!
1. What was a trireme?
2. What two plants grew well in Greece?
3. What did Greek traders give, and what did they get back?
Write what each word means in your own words.
Write T for true or F for false in each circle.
You need: a grown-up's help, bread, olive oil, and (if you have them) olives or grapes.
Dip bread in olive oil and try it, just like a Greek kid 2,500 years ago! Try an olive or some grapes too. Which did you like best?
Draw a big vase shape and decorate it with figures and patterns, like Greek painters did.
1. Why was the sea like a highway for the Greeks?