成人快手

Leonidas of Rhodes is our guide to the Olympic Games, as held in Ancient Greece.

The video

4. The Olympic Games (but not as we know them)

Synopsis

Our guide to the Olympic Games is Leonidas of Rhodes, a runner and a hero of the original Olympic Games. Leonidas describes the main events of the Games and we also learn that the purpose of the Games was to honour the god Zeus.

Leonidas describes the running events that he excelled in, including the hoplitodromos - a running race undertaken in full armour. He then describes the combat sports - wrestling, boxing and pankration, a combination of both in which almost anything is permitted - and the throwing and jumping events. He offers some interesting facts along the way, including that the athletes had to compete completely naked.

Teacher Notes

Taken from the complete Teachers Notes. See Resources.

Before watching the video

Show pupils an image of the Olympic rings. Do they recognise them? Do they know what the rings represent? Why only five rings and not seven, do they think? Invite them to share some knowledge about the modern-day Olympics and explain that they are going to find out more about how they began.

After watching the video

  • Then and now. As the title of the film suggests, the Olympic Games are not quite the same now as they originally were. Ask children to complete the worksheet provided, which gives statements about the Games and asks children to write a sentence explaining the difference, either then or now.
  • Create an Olympic event! Invite children to make up their own Olympic event and to write a set of instructions for it. They should remember to include all the features of instructional texts, including numbering and command words.
  • Design a poster. Explain that you are going to hold your own class Olympics - possibly featuring some of the children鈥檚 new events - and that the children need to advertise it. They should design an eye-catching poster giving all the information required and enticing people to attend.
  • Class Olympics! Hold your Olympics in the playground, the hall or on the school field. Where possible, recreate the original events such as discus and javelin, with plastic cones and sponge javelins. You could even try a form of chariot racing if children are willing to race on all fours!
  • Sports reports. After the class Olympics, ask children to write a recount of one of the events you held. A worksheet is provided to support children鈥檚 thinking.

Resources - Teacher Notes from Teachit

Comprehensive Teacher Notes covering episodes 1 to 5, including worksheets and activities.

Once upon a time in Ancient Greece

Click to display the worksheet full-size or print it (taken from the Teacher Notes).

Comprehension questions

Click to display the worksheet full-size or print it (taken from the Teacher Notes).

Olympic Games - comparing then and now

The Teacher Notes for this series have been prepared in partnership with .

Other resources


成人快手 Teach: Tales from Ancient Greece - audio versions of more popular Ancient Greek myths