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Ancient Greece and Rome are called the “classical” civilizations because many of their ideas have formed the basis for modern civilizations. Ancient Greeks and Romans were the first to use historians to record the history of societies that existed before and during their time.
In the activity below, you will read a passage from "The History of the Persian Wars," written by the Greek historian Herodotus in 430 B.C.E. You will then watch a video that guides you through the text, showing you how to use context clues to understand vocabulary.
Herodotus describes the characteristics of civilizations before and during ancient Greece. The source contains vocabulary that is important for understanding the central idea of the source and the details described by the author.
The Parthenon is on the Acropolis in Athens. When it was completed in 438 B.C.E., it served as a temple.
But little rain falls in Assyria, enough, however, to make the corn begin to sprout, after which the plant is nourished and the ears formed by means of irrigation from the river. For the river does not, as in Egypt, overflow … but is spread over them by the hand, or by the help of engines. The whole of Babylonia is, like Egypt, intersected with canals. The largest of them all, which runs towards the winter sun, and is impassable except in boats, is carried from the Euphrates into another stream, called the Tigris, the river .... Of all the countries that we know there is none which is so fruitful in grain … Babylonia must seem incredible to those who have never visited the country.”
Source: Internet Ancient History sourcebookopens in new window , at "I.193"
Watch the video to see how context clues are used to define vocabulary.
