Resource created by Leeds City Museum.
This learning story introduces pupils to different aspects of Ancient Greek culture and myths and legends using historical artefacts.
Curriculum Links
- KS2 English: Familiarity with a wide range of texts, including myths and legends
- KS2 History: Ancient Greece
Learning Objectives
Knowledge of various themes within the Ancient Greek world
Understanding of Ancient Greek culture, supplemented by real artefacts
Skills to interpret Greek myths in context and think about how museum artefacts might have been used
Discussion Ideas
- How was life in Ancient Greece different from today?
- What do you think might have been the best and worst things about living in Ancient Greece?
- If you were to become a Greek God, what would you want to be the 'god' of? Why?
- Why do you think the Ancient Greeks needed myths?
- Do you already know the stories of any Greek myths? Can you describe them?
- Which of the objects in the image gallery do you think might have been added to an Ancient Greek person's tomb?
- Why do you think replica objects are important to museums?
Activity Ideas
This resource can be used for either pre- or post-visit classroom activity in conjunction with a self-led visit to Leeds City Museum and has complementary downloadable worksheets.
- Write your name using the Greek alphabet: download a Greek Writing Worksheet to help you, (this explains how lots of words we use today have their origins in Ancient Greece). Can you write the names of some Greek gods and goddesses in Ancient Greek?
- Look at the photograph of the papyrus in Leeds City Museum. Try to find Greek letters written on the papyrus. How many can you spot? Can you work out what is written there?
- Imagine you have become a Greek god or goddess. Sometimes in statues and pictures, gods are shown holding objects or wearing things to represent their powers. Draw a picture of yourself as a god, taking care to show your power through the clothes you are wearing and the objects around you.
- Create your own myth: Myths often include: an interesting setting, a mythical beast, a journey or a trial, a captivating ending. Why don’t you have a go at writing your own with these four key 'ingredients'?
- Download the story of Perseus and the Gorgon, then play the 'Follow Me' game to test your knowledge.
- Re-read the journey Ancient Greek people believed the dead made to the Underworld. Write or draw your own journey to the Underworld and make up different steps along the way. Will you have a monster, like Cerberus or someone to transport the dead person, like Charon?
- Explore how the Greek myths and legends inspired interior design and furniture, by exploring the Picture Gallery at Temple Newsam (note this resource is from a different learning story on MyLearning).