GREECE

It has miles and miles of beautiful coastline, and no matter where you are in Greece, you are always close to the sea.

Surrounding Greece are about 1400 islands, 169 of which are inhabited.

The largest islands in Greece are Crete and Evia.

Most of Greece is mountainous, and most of the land is over 1500 meters above sea level

Northern Greece has dense forests, but the majority of the southern hills are covered with shrubs, wildflowers, oregano, basil and thyme.

The climate of Greece is regulated by Mediterranean Sea. The winters are mild and wet, although the temperatures in the mountains are quite cold. The summers of Greece are dry and hot. Spring and fall are the nicest time to visit Greece, as the weather is warm, but not to hot, and the sun is shining.

The capital city is Athens. The main language is obviously Greek, probably the oldest language in Europe, but most people also speak English.

-about 98% of the Greek people are Greek Orthodox, but the rest are split among Roman Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim faiths.

There are many holidays and festivals in Greece, most of which are religious holidays. After New Year’s Day, the next holiday of the year occurs on January 8th, and is called Gynaikratia. On this day the traditional roles of the people of northern Greek villages are reversed. Men stay at home and do the housework, such as cooking, cleaning, and looking after children, and the women spend the day drinking coffee in the cafes!

The Greek Carnival season lasts for three weeks in February and March, just before the beginning of Lent. During the Carnival, people dress up in fancy costumes, and there are feasts, parades, dances, and a general party atmosphere. Easter is the most significant festival in the Greek year. At Easter time, there are candle-lit processions through the streets, more feasting, and fireworks. Summer festivals are common in Greece, and the biggest of these is the Hellenic Festival from mid-June until late September. During the Hellenic Festival, there are concerts featuring traditional and modern Greek music styles, as well as drama performances, all occurring in the ancient theaters.

C.R.1. What is the official name of Greece?2. What countries and seas surround

Greece?3. What is the climate like in Greece?4. What is the capital of Greece?5. What do you know about the Greek

people? (religion and language)6. Do you think the Greek people like to

celebrate? Why do you think so?7. What is the holiday of Gynaikratia?8. When is the Greek carnival season?

Greek Art and Literature

Greek art is well-known throughout the world.

There are four major forms of Greek art:1. Architecture2. Painting 3. Sculpture 4. Poetry There is no sculpture comparable to theirs;

there are no buildings more beautiful and more admirable than those they built; there are no literary pieces superior to theirs.

Three period of Greek literature:

1st Period(Pre-Homeric Age and the Homeric Age)-the center of this period was Homer (the poetry of Greece and his works) - extends from remote antiquity to the age of Herodotus (484 B.C.)

2nd PeriodAthenian Age to the Golden Age of Pericles, extends from the Age of Herodotus to the death of Alexander the Great (323 B.C.)

3rd Period(Period of Decline)

-extends from the death of Alexander the Great to the enslavement of the Greeks by the Romans and extends to A.D. 1453.

Qualities of Greek Literature

1. Permanence and Universality- It is as alive today as it was when it was written more than 3,000 years ago. It has a universality that is truly remarkable: it is read and admired by all nations of the world regardless of race, religion or culture.

2. Essentially Full of Artistry- the people are artistically at all times.

3. Originality- they can still adopt works of other neighboring countries they have to change and revise.

4. Diversity of Talent-the Greek mind never rested complacently on any one subject; it was ever searching, ever seeking. It was fond of diversity of application.

5. Intellectual Quality-this means that the Greek mind challenges one to think for some purpose—to bring about some inner transformation.

The Four Cardinal Virtues: Four Aspects of a Human Being

1. Courage- was valued at all times, especially

when they set in war.

2. Temperance

- was a manner or style of living without display or vulgarity, of behaving without arrogance.

3. Justice- was essentially a moral quality, the

natural tendency to obey the laws and rules of society and treating others as one would want to be treated.

4. Wisdom

- was an intellectual pursuit.

3 Formulas of Greek Prayer1. Invocation- a prayer for asking blessing or

guidance at the beginning of a service, ceremony, etc.

2. Sanction- a prayer for asking permission of

thanking blessings.3. Entreaty- a prayer for asking favors.

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