Most of you will have heard about Pythagoras, a very famous Ancient Greek philosopher in your Maths lessons. But before you settle down to find out how to work with Pythagoras, why not learn more about the Ancient Greeks!

They lived over 3000 years ago, and had some very peculiar superstitions and traditions. For example, some of them refused to eat beans – thinking they contained the souls of the dead! They also used stories to help them make sense of the world, many of which featured Gods and mythological monsters. For instance, Medusa, a winged human female with living venomous snakes in place of hair. She just needed to look at people to turn them to stone. Or you may prefer Cerberus, a three-headed dog who guarded the gates to the underworld.

However, we can also credit the Ancient Greeks with changing the world!  From our alphabet to the alarm clock – in addition to medicine, philosophy, sports and geometry – we have a lot to thank them for. They were a democratic people – the citizens (men only!) would gather on a hill to decide the laws of the city. Special sporting festivals were held  every four years at Olympia….the origin of the Olympic Games. Competitors  even prayed to Nike, the goddess of victory!  Pheidippides inspired the modern marathon. Legend says he fought at the battle of Marathon, where the Greeks won. Subsequently he ran for 26 miles to Athens to tell them the news – only to drop dead!

Click the picture below to see the guide.