Time Tangled Island: Ancient Greece

Factropica Fast Facts and quizzes

by Beth Rowen

Related Links Zeus Biography Ancient Greece Delphi

Try our Ancient Greece Quiz!

Factropica Fast Facts

• The Oracle of Delphi, which dates to 1400 B.C., was the most important shrine in Greece and was considered the center of the world.
• The Oracle at Delphi is also known as Pythia or Sybil.
• People believed the Pythia could see into the future.
• People traveled from all over Greece and beyond to ask the Oracle of Delphi questions, ranging from when to plant crops to predict opportune times to wage war. If people didn't like Pythia's predictions, she would make another for more gold.
• Greek city-states agreed to work together to protect Delphi, which is on Mount Parnassus.
• The Oracle of Delphi was a religious site from pre-historic times to c. 395, when the Roman Emperor Theodosius ordered it closed.
• According to Greek legend, the first Olympics occurred in 776 BC. Opinions differ about their origins. Some credit them to Hercules, who brought a sacred olive tree to Olympia. Another myth says the hero Pelops established the festival after defeating King Oenomaus in a chariot race.
• Olympia was famous for its temples and monuments, especially 40-foot tall, gold and ivory Statue of Zeus, which was built c. 432 BC. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
• The Lion Gate at Mycenae, which stood at the entrance to the city of Mycenae, was built c. 1250 BC. Mycenae was a center of commerce and culture in ancient Greece.
• Triremes were a type of ship developed and used in Greece in the 5th century B.C. These ships, which were used in warfare, had three groups of rowers who sat almost on top of each other on each side of the ship.

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