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Year 4

The legacy of Ancient Greek language and architecture

I can identify the influence and legacy of the Ancient Greeks upon modern language and architecture.

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New
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Year 4

The legacy of Ancient Greek language and architecture

I can identify the influence and legacy of the Ancient Greeks upon modern language and architecture.

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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The Ancient Greek language has had a great influence on English and other languages.
  2. The Greek alphabet has some similarities with the English alphabet; many English words have Greek prefixes or suffixes.
  3. The Ancient Greeks built grand buildings with distinctive features such as columns, friezes and ceremonial gateways.
  4. Many of these features are still seen in buildings today, showing that Ancient Greek architecture still has influence.

Keywords

  • Influence - a thing or person that has affected others has influence

  • Legacy - a legacy is the long-lasting impact of historical events, actions, a person or group of people

  • Architecture - styles, designs and types of buildings is known as architecture

Common misconception

That people spoke a totally different language in Ancient Greece than they speak today in modern Greece.

The Greek alphabet has been in use for more than 2,000 years; the same alphabet that was used in Ancient Greece is used in Greece today. Much of the Greek language stems from or is the same as Ancient Greek.


To help you plan your year 4 history lesson on: The legacy of Ancient Greek language and architecture, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Put pupils into groups. Give each group at least one prefix and one suffix that comes from Greek and challenge them to list as many words as they can. Give each group different prefixes and suffixes. Ask groups to share their words and then as a class discuss how Greek has influenced English.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the below were city states in Ancient Greece?
Correct answer: Athens
Alexandria
Correct answer: Sparta
Rome
Q2.
What did all city states have in common?
Correct answer: the same gods and goddesses
the same king
the same form of government
Correct answer: the same language
Q3.
What language was spoken across all of Ancient Greece?
Correct Answer: Ancient Greek
Q4.
What was built on the 'acropolis' in each city?
the marketplace
the baths
Correct answer: the temple
the government building
Q5.
Which city state were the first people in history to form a direct democracy?
Sparta
Correct answer: Athens
Corinth
Hebes
Q6.
What does a 'direct democracy' mean?
One leader made all decisions
Correct answer: All men were able to vote on all decisions
A small group of people made all decisions

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
A thing or person that has an affect on others has:
Correct answer: influence
power
control
authority
Q2.
Things that are passed down from people who came before us is known as their
Correct Answer: legacy, legicy
Q3.
Which statement is correct about the Ancient Greek language?
It is the oldest language in the world.
It was only spoken in Greece.
Correct answer: Many English words have roots in Ancient Greek.
It stopped being used when the Ancient Greek civilisation ended.
Q4.
Which is one of the most distinctive features of Ancient Greek architecture?
domed ceilings
Correct answer: large columns
decorative mosaics
curved arches
Q5.
In Ancient Greek architecture what was the panelled, carved stone feature called?
Correct Answer: frieze, freeze
Q6.
What features can often be seen in buildings today that have been influenced by Ancient Greek architecture?
Correct answer: carved columns
stained glass windows
Correct answer: decorative friezes
flat roofs

Additional material

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