The ancient world is filled with fascinating civilizations, each with their own unique characteristics. Among the most influential were Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Let's delve into a comparison of these three great cultures, exploring their costumes, activities, and religious beliefs.
Costume Suggestions
When it comes to Ancient World costumes, we are spoilt for choice. Here are some ideas for creating costumes inspired by these civilizations:
Ancient Egypt
The first image conjured in most minds when we think of these four Ancient Civilisations is probably Egyptians. So, the initial go to for Ancient World costumes would generally be Cleopatra or a Pharaoh, but the Egyptians also had lots of Gods and Goddesses to choose from like Anubis and Isis. A simple white top and pants or a white short sleeve dress is a good starting point and then you just need to add some bling, gold, blue and red colours are very Egyptian. And for those who like a bit of humour there is always the good old Mummy costume.
Slaves are an easy choice for many of the Ancient World cultures and a slave costume can be super simple to make.
Ancient Greece
Here are some links to DIY costuming pages:
Read also: Egyptian Adventure
- Greek Goddess Costume
- Greek God Costume
- Ares Greek Mythology Costume
Ancient Rome
Romans would have to be some of the simplest costumes to organise, but we can also step it up a bit with Legionaries, Gladiators and Gladiatrix. Again, internet search for DIY costume making sites for ideas on how to make the armour and helmets etc.
- Ancient Roman Toga
- Roman Soldier
Generic Hints for Costumes:
- Do internet searches for images of specific characters like “Maid Marion”, or do a generic “Medieval Knight” type of image search for visual representations of costuming.
- Do internet searches for Do-It-Yourself costuming pages for instructions or ideas on how to make your own costumes.
Activity Ideas
There are numerous activities that can help bring these ancient civilizations to life. Here are a few ideas:
Archaeological Dig
This can be done for any time period. Organise a large box or small kiddies pool full of sand or soil. Bury ‘artefacts’ - old cutlery, coins, bits of broken ceramics, old dried out chicken or beef bones, bobby pins, bits of fabric, etc. Students can bring tools from home or you can supply them, maybe from your Art Department - various size paint brushes, clay working tools, etc. Students can first investigate and research some archaeological excavation techniques. They can then use those techniques to find the buried artefacts and sort them into classifications such as bone, stone, ceramics, etc. The students can then try and imagine the stories that are behind these artefacts - Who might have owned this item? What could it have been used for? How did it end up lost and buried?
Egyptian Focus Activities
- Have students investigate the Ancient Egyptian game Senet, make the boards and learn how to play.
- In Egyptian writing they left out most vowels. Have students write letters to each other using no vowels and see if they can decipher them.
- Have students think about Egyptian tombs - What items would they want in their tombs? What sort of obstacles and booby traps would they put in their pyramids/tombs to thwart grave robbers?
- Get artsy and make some Egyptian headwear using pipe cleaners or cardboard and decorating.
Here are a few links to making headpieces out of cardboard:
Read also: Learn Arabic in Egypt: Guide
- Pharaoh Headdress
- Ancient Egyptian Headband
Greece/Sparta Focus Activities
- Greek Gods activity: Zeus is retiring - Apply for his job! Have students research Zeus or tell them about him, focusing on his attributes, his personality, his strengths and weaknesses, his good points, his bad points, his powers, etc keeping in mind that he was the King of all the Gods and that he had been elected to this positions by the Olympians. Now announce that Zeus has decided to retire so there will need to be an election to vote one of the other Gods/Goddesses in as King/Queen of all the Gods. Divide students into groups (as many as you like) and either give each team the name of a God/Goddess or have them draw names from a hat. Students now have to research their God/Goddesses focusing on their personalities and characteristics, remembering that the Greek Gods had particular powers and domains that they were master of, such as hunting and warfare or love and beauty etc, they also had very different personalities with all sorts of foibles and eccentricities. Students must now create an election campaign for their God/Goddess. Campaigns can utilise posters, chants, catchy phrases, spy reports, and even smear campaigns. Remember - the Ancient Greeks were very smart, but they could also be very tricky.
- Have an Ancient Greek Lunch Feast. Students can research Ancient Greek Foods, taking into account the differences between what we think of as Greek foods today and what was actually available to them in the Ancient World.
- Make a class mosaic. You can use tile and grout on a wooden board if you want to be really ambitious or you can just use different coloured paper or card.
Greek Gods Explained In 12 Minutes
Rome Focus Activities
- Make this origami Roman Helmet
- Romans loved dice games. Have students investigate some Roman dice games and then teach each other to play them.
- Students can make and learn to play Latrunculi, a Roman type of Chess.
China Focus Activities
- Students can make a board and learn to play the Ancient Chinese game of Go.
- Have students make their own paper.
- Working in teams, student can design and make their own paper kites. They will need to think about shapes and materials, how to make them aerodynamic and how to steer them. Then take them out and try sending messages across the oval: does their design fly? Are they able to steer it to land where they want it to?
Daily Life and Economy
Ancient Egypt
Egypt was COMPLEX. The river extremely fertile. The majority of the peasant population. The country's STRICT HIERARHICAL SOCIETY. The plain was a magnet for life -- human, plant and animal.
HONEY, which the Egyptians processed, was controlled by the king, his officials and the temples. The land was divided very precisely. Some of the produce was given as a SACRIFICE and to the city-state for TAXES.
The farmer was given a plot of land, and FISHING allowed the working class to add variety to its diet. Egyptians substituted fish for meat, which they could not afford.
The Egyptians also grew kitchen gardens as well as BERRIES, and MUSHROOMS, which added to their diet. They baked bread in clay ovens, similar in function to the ovens we use today. The staple of the Egyptian diet was a flat bread made from barley flour.
Egyptians also raised oxen, sheep, goats, pigs, ducks and geese. These staples of the Egyptian diet were also eaten by the king, his officials and their CHILDREN. The working class ate more vegetables and beans.
Read also: Clothing in Ancient Egypt
Ancient Greece
ACROPOLIS where people could take refuge from attack. The ASSEMBLY was the key to Athenian DEMOCRACY. Here, CITIZENS debated and voted on new LAWS and PROPOSALS. Citizens would meet to stay in PEACE, and to argue cases in the law courts.
The land was divided very precisely. The farmer was given a plot of land, and some of the produce was given as a SACRIFICE and to the city-state for TAXES.
Ancient Rome
The first Roman settlers arrived from the surrounding hills sometime around 1,000 B.C. and moved to Rome. The land was divided very precisely. Some of the produce was given as a SACRIFICE and to the city-state for TAXES. Farmers paid rent in kind, usually a percentage of the crop or animals raised on it. Slaves from conquered areas was available to work on the estates.
Pyramid Construction
To reduce friction when hauling the blocks, water was poured on the ground. Many men were needed to drag a stone block up a ramp. The ramp was made longer and higher as it grew in height. Slave labor was not widely used in Egypt at the time, so skilled laborers were employed in these construction projects.
The pyramids are gigantic structures, COMPLEX, and took a lot of time and space. Careful planning was necessary.
Religion and Beliefs
Ancient Egypt
Religion transforms them into nations. Egypt was COMPLEX. Purification was necessary to ensure passage to the afterlife. Egyptians believed that the soul needed the BODY and LIFE EVERLASTING, and life after death could be achieved under the right conditions.
The Egyptians also mummified their dead. The process involved multiple steps. The brain is extracted through the nostrils with a hook. The hook cannot reach is dissolved with drugs. Next, the flank is slit open and the organs of the abdomen removed. The cavity is cleansed and washed out, then filled with aromatic substances, except frankincense. The body is covered entirely for 70 days, never longer. Finally, the wrapped mummy is decorated to look as it did in life, using resin in the place of glue.
Ancient Greece
The Greeks shared the same gods. Religion was a part of everyday life. Sacrifice was usually before nightfall. By consuming the animal, the worshippers CONSUMED HIS POWER. Religious festivals were a time of great celebration.
Ancient Rome
The Romans borrowed many of their gods from the Greeks, renaming them. ZEUS became JUPITER. Every Roman family had its own protective spirits, the LARES, and a small altar and shrine. Each family honored their spirits every day at home.
Writing and Art
Ancient Egypt
Hieroglyphs were used in Ancient Egypt. First appearing on stone and pottery dating from 3100 B.C. The last inscription was written in A.D. Hieroglyphs were repetitive (numbers based on the POWER OF 10). The Egyptians used only the number one, with the highest denominator. Egyptian medicine combined practical advice (SPELLS with REMEDIES) with the belief that illnesses were caused by evil spirits that had entered the body. Many of the remedies they discovered are still used today.
Ancient Greece
Greek sculpture often presented a youthful depiction of men and women. Greek art often depicted battles. The Greeks believed that speculation about the universe was futile. Many Greek buildings were considered works of art. Greeks often painted FRESCOES.
Ancient Rome
Roman religion sprang from fear -- particularly the fear of death. They believed that Fate determines everything that happens.
Hopefully, this article has provided a comprehensive comparison of Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, shedding light on their unique aspects and contributions to human history.
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