Greece
Contributions
    About 500 B.C., the Athenians introduced a new form of government.  Unlike earlier governments that were based on rule by kings, tyrants, or a privileged few, the government of Athens was controlled by its citizens.  In this system, called demokratia, every citizen had a voice in determining how the city-state was run.  In Athens, a council of five hundred men was selected by lot each year to manage the government, and any citizen, rich or poor, could hold public office.  Regular political meetings were held at which time every citizen was allowed to attend, make speeches, and vote.

Olympic Games

Athletic contests in ancient Greece began as a religious event.  The Olympic Games, the most important of these contests, were held in honor of Zeus.  The Olympics took place in the city of Olympia every four years.  Athletes from all over Greece came to Olympia to compete in the games.  Victory in the games brought glory and honor to the athlete and to his hometown.
Types of games:
School

    Boys went to school at the age of seven.  Their studies included reading, writing, arithmetic, music, and sports.  Girls did not go to school.  Instead, they stayed at home and learned such skills as spinning and weaving from their mothers.  Some girls from wealthy families learned to read and write from private tutors.  Schools were not mandatory, and they were not free.  Some poor families could not afford to send their children to school.  These children had to stay home and help their parents on the farm.

Greece

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