Some background to the story
In 430 BC, a plague struck the city of Athens, which was then under siege by Sparta during the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC). In the next 3 years, most of the population was infected, and perhaps as many as 75,000 to 100,000 people, 25% of the city's population, died. This is where the story starts.
Read the prologue
QUESTIONS
1. What sort of scene is 'painted' by the author?
2. What descriptions are given by the author to indicate how hot it is?
3. How would you describe Myron?
4. Why do you think the author has used a character like Myron, to introduce the idea of the plague to us?
5. How do you feel at the end of this prologue?
6. What is the agora? Use the following three links to do this:
Link 1 Link 2 Link 3
ACTIVITY
Try and find out as much as you can about the Plague in Athens? Who did it affect and what were the implications for the people of Greece? How did society change because of the plague?
Here is one link, you might like to search for others.
The Plague
1. What sort of scene is 'painted' by the author?
2. What descriptions are given by the author to indicate how hot it is?
3. How would you describe Myron?
4. Why do you think the author has used a character like Myron, to introduce the idea of the plague to us?
5. How do you feel at the end of this prologue?
6. What is the agora? Use the following three links to do this:
Link 1 Link 2 Link 3
ACTIVITY
Try and find out as much as you can about the Plague in Athens? Who did it affect and what were the implications for the people of Greece? How did society change because of the plague?
Here is one link, you might like to search for others.
The Plague
Read Chapters 1-2 (up to page 30)
After reading chapter 1 you are given a glimpse into ancient Greek life and you get to know the main character, Nicasylus.
QUESTIONS
ACTIVITY ONE
1. Character activity sheet. Download and print from the following:
QUESTIONS
- What do you learn about the role of women in ancient Greece?
- What do you learn about the role of men?
- What do you learn about family and how marriage occurs?
- How were slaves treated?
- What do you think of the way women were treated in those days?
ACTIVITY ONE
1. Character activity sheet. Download and print from the following:
character_activity_ch_1-2.docx | |
File Size: | 92 kb |
File Type: | docx |
ACTIVITY TWO
2. When Nic meets Gellius they immediately form a bond and share a dream to meet for the Olympic Games in Olympia the following year.
Find out as much as you can about the ancient Olympic Games and Pankration. Use the following websites and the following movie:
Official website of the Olympics
BBC
Scholastic
2. When Nic meets Gellius they immediately form a bond and share a dream to meet for the Olympic Games in Olympia the following year.
Find out as much as you can about the ancient Olympic Games and Pankration. Use the following websites and the following movie:
Official website of the Olympics
BBC
Scholastic
Read Chapters 3-4 Pirates!
Chapter 3 is really quite gruesome!
However, once again, it tells of a part of Ancient Greece that was present and real.
QUESTIONS:
1. What do we learn about Gellius' character from this chapter about the pirate attack?
2. What adjectives would you use to describe him?
3. Do you think it was necessary for the author to provide us with so much detail about what happened? Why do you think she did?
4. What do you think will happen next to Gellius?
Chapter 4 tells us what happened to Nic after he was taken by the pirates.
QUESTIONS:
1. What do we learn about Nic's character from this chapter?
2. What adjectives would you use to describe him?
3. Can you find some examples where Nic has shown great courage and strength of character?
4. Do you think things will get better or worse for Nic now? Why?
ACTIVITY 3
Click on the following 3 links that will give you a little more information about piracy in the Ancient Greek World.
Link 1
Link 2
Link 3
1. Write 5 facts about the activities of pirates off the coast of Greece.
2. After researching Greek pirates, what historical information did the author use in these two chapters to ensure that it was an accurate reflection of the times.
However, once again, it tells of a part of Ancient Greece that was present and real.
QUESTIONS:
1. What do we learn about Gellius' character from this chapter about the pirate attack?
2. What adjectives would you use to describe him?
3. Do you think it was necessary for the author to provide us with so much detail about what happened? Why do you think she did?
4. What do you think will happen next to Gellius?
Chapter 4 tells us what happened to Nic after he was taken by the pirates.
QUESTIONS:
1. What do we learn about Nic's character from this chapter?
2. What adjectives would you use to describe him?
3. Can you find some examples where Nic has shown great courage and strength of character?
4. Do you think things will get better or worse for Nic now? Why?
ACTIVITY 3
Click on the following 3 links that will give you a little more information about piracy in the Ancient Greek World.
Link 1
Link 2
Link 3
1. Write 5 facts about the activities of pirates off the coast of Greece.
2. After researching Greek pirates, what historical information did the author use in these two chapters to ensure that it was an accurate reflection of the times.
Read Chapters 5 and 6
QUESTIONS for chapter 5
1. What did the author mean when he wrote ... "He (Nic) was by himself and yet he was a prisoner" ?
2. "He began to cry and once he started, he couldn't stop; the tears felt good. They'd been held back for so long and for so many reasons." Why had Nic held back the tears for so long?
3. Can you identify some of Nic's behaviours in this chapter that are examples of him changing and maturing.
4."Here in this foreign land, despite the fact that he was a slave, he was free in a way he had never been before." What does the author mean when he says that Nic had found freedom being a slave? How?
5. "Nic's slingshot was always tied to his girdle by a leather thong. He undid it and began to search the ground for rocks the right shape and size. He had already set off in the direction of the lost animal, before he realised he had made up his mind what to do next. And it wasn't the most sensible thing."
What do you think Nic did and what do you think happens next?
QUESTIONS for chapter 6
1. How did Gellius experience great generosity from the villagers who rescued him?
2. Complete the character sheet about Gellius as you did for Nic earlier. Click on the download link below to open it. Save or print it.
1. What did the author mean when he wrote ... "He (Nic) was by himself and yet he was a prisoner" ?
2. "He began to cry and once he started, he couldn't stop; the tears felt good. They'd been held back for so long and for so many reasons." Why had Nic held back the tears for so long?
3. Can you identify some of Nic's behaviours in this chapter that are examples of him changing and maturing.
4."Here in this foreign land, despite the fact that he was a slave, he was free in a way he had never been before." What does the author mean when he says that Nic had found freedom being a slave? How?
5. "Nic's slingshot was always tied to his girdle by a leather thong. He undid it and began to search the ground for rocks the right shape and size. He had already set off in the direction of the lost animal, before he realised he had made up his mind what to do next. And it wasn't the most sensible thing."
What do you think Nic did and what do you think happens next?
QUESTIONS for chapter 6
1. How did Gellius experience great generosity from the villagers who rescued him?
2. Complete the character sheet about Gellius as you did for Nic earlier. Click on the download link below to open it. Save or print it.
character_activity_ch_5_-6.docx | |
File Size: | 96 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Read Chapters 7 and 8
Gellius is happy to see his old friend again in this chapter and seeks his help
QUESTIONS
ACTIVITY
List five words you would use to describe the wolf. Describe the wolf's appearance - his coat (colour and length), eye, ears, paws, claws, breath, teeth, jaws . . . Using the list of words write a descriptive poem about the animal without using the word WOLF. The description should be so clear we would know it is a wolf anyway.
Click here for some wolf facts!
QUESTIONS
- Who does Gellius meet in Athens?
- What happened to the members if Nic's family?
- What does Gellius want his friend to do for him?
- Who do they go to see about Nic? What is Artemis' reaction?
- How is Artemis described on p70?
- What happens to the wolf and the goat in chapter 8?
- What does Nic do when the chase is over?
- How does Scopas react to the story?
- Why does Scopas attack Nic?
- How does Scopas die?
- What do Nic and Tiso do after Scopas is killed? Where do they go?
ACTIVITY
List five words you would use to describe the wolf. Describe the wolf's appearance - his coat (colour and length), eye, ears, paws, claws, breath, teeth, jaws . . . Using the list of words write a descriptive poem about the animal without using the word WOLF. The description should be so clear we would know it is a wolf anyway.
Click here for some wolf facts!
Read Chapters 9 and 10
QUESTIONS
For Chapter 9:
For Chapter 10:
For Chapter 9:
- Describe the journey that Nic and Tiso make.
- What does Tiso teach Nic?
- Where does Nic want to go? Who does he think about?
For Chapter 10:
- What does Gellius think of Artemis?
- Who is Gellius' training partner?
- Why is he a good training partner to have?
- What does Gellius refuse to practice? Why do you think he does this?
- How long did Gellius train for"
- What does Gellius promise Artemis?
Greek shipping
Use the following three sites and any others that you might find to research the answers to the following 3 questions. You should write a paragraph for each one. Use images where possible to support your information.
Research Questions:
1. How important was the sea and shipping to life in Ancient Greece?
2. What kinds of ships were built in Ancient Greece and what were they used for?
3. What challenges did sailors face in Ancient Greece?
Research Questions:
1. How important was the sea and shipping to life in Ancient Greece?
2. What kinds of ships were built in Ancient Greece and what were they used for?
3. What challenges did sailors face in Ancient Greece?
Read Chapter 11
This chapter (11) is all about Tiso's last hours and how Nic deals with it.
QUESTIONS:
ACTIVITY
Write a diary entry that Nic may have written after the events in this chapter? What would he have reflected on?
QUESTIONS:
- What does Nic overhear two men talking about on the wharf?
- What does Nic plan to do?
- How does Nic know that Tiso is very sick? Use some examples from the text.
- What does Nic do as Tiso dies?
- How does Nic feel about Tiso's death?
- How has Nic changed since we first met Nic in Athens at the beginning of this story?
- What events in Nic's life since Athens have helped to shape his character?
ACTIVITY
Write a diary entry that Nic may have written after the events in this chapter? What would he have reflected on?
Read Chapter 12
QUESTIONS
ACTIVITY
Zeus was the king of the Greek Gods. Research other Gods of Ancient Greece and give detailed descriptions of two of them.
- What is the job of the SPONDOPHOROUS?
- What does he tell the crowd?
- Where would the Olympic athletes go?
- How many roads are there to Olympia?
- What did Gellius take to offer Zeus at Altis?
ACTIVITY
Zeus was the king of the Greek Gods. Research other Gods of Ancient Greece and give detailed descriptions of two of them.
Read Chapters 13 and 14
ACTIVITY:
Nic had a haunting dream. Describe what Nic's dream was all about and how it made him feel.
QUESTIONS:
1. Describe what Nic sees, hears and smells on the road to Olympia.
2. Who reappears?
3. Why is Nic so sick?
4. What is missing the next morning?
5. What does Nic tell us about the first sacrifices?
6. Where does the second half of the ceremony take place?
7. What do the athletes and the judges have to do that is similar?
ACTIVITY:
Draw a rough map of Olympia (See pic above). Include the temple areas, the communal areas near the river and other places mentioned in the text.
Nic had a haunting dream. Describe what Nic's dream was all about and how it made him feel.
QUESTIONS:
1. Describe what Nic sees, hears and smells on the road to Olympia.
2. Who reappears?
3. Why is Nic so sick?
4. What is missing the next morning?
5. What does Nic tell us about the first sacrifices?
6. Where does the second half of the ceremony take place?
7. What do the athletes and the judges have to do that is similar?
ACTIVITY:
Draw a rough map of Olympia (See pic above). Include the temple areas, the communal areas near the river and other places mentioned in the text.
Read Chapters 15, 16, 17 and 18
Activity 1
Research the Greek Hippodrome. Write a paragraph describing what it is and what it is used for. These links will help.
Link 1
Link 2
Activity 2
Nic must have been experiencing emotions of fear and frustration when he was in the cave. He also wondered who wanted him dead.
Research the Greek Hippodrome. Write a paragraph describing what it is and what it is used for. These links will help.
Link 1
Link 2
Activity 2
Nic must have been experiencing emotions of fear and frustration when he was in the cave. He also wondered who wanted him dead.
- What did Nic think about in the cave?
- When he escaped, where did Nic find Gellius?
- Why did he hide again?
- Who did Nic see during the oath taking ceremony?
Read Chapter 19
Write the following events from the chapter in the correct order:
- Cadmus saluted the crowd
- Nic told us the 2 rules of the game
- Nic said 'this man was a killer'
- Poronius was at ringside
- Cadmus smiled from the opposing side of the pit
- Nic is told why Gellius is fighting Cadmus
- Hunger drove Nic to the food stalls
- Nic was leaping about like a mad thing, cheering
- The two Pankratists 'circled, a lethal dance around each other'
- Gellius collapsed
Read Chapters 20 and 21
The novel has a happy ending - the 'bad guy' is punished and the 'good guys' win and celebrate.
Questions:
1. Describe the atmosphere surrounding the final ceremony?
2. Who was the first winner announced?
3. What is the proof that Nic has which he tells the judges?
4. How did Nic feel about coming forward and telling the truth?
5. How did Cadmus feel when Nic accused him?
How did the ceremony end?
How did Nic feel being held up on people's shoulders?
Questions:
1. Describe the atmosphere surrounding the final ceremony?
2. Who was the first winner announced?
3. What is the proof that Nic has which he tells the judges?
4. How did Nic feel about coming forward and telling the truth?
5. How did Cadmus feel when Nic accused him?
How did the ceremony end?
How did Nic feel being held up on people's shoulders?
Activity
Pankration is a novel that deals with issues including:
Choose just 2 of the issues from the above list. Write a paragraph or two about each one of your choice. In your paragraph state why you think this story is a good example of that issue and give examples from the text that show this.
For example: I think the novel, Pankration, is a novel that teaches us the importance of loyalty and that loyalty to your family and friends is essential to being a good person. In the story Gellius showed this quality when he ...........................
Nic also demonstrated loyalty on numerous occasions when he.............
Pankration is a novel that deals with issues including:
- challenges in life
- sport/competition
- heroes and role models
- honesty
- faith - religion/Gods
- tradition
- change/adaptation
- jealousy
- friendship
- family honour
- loyalty
- truth and justice
Choose just 2 of the issues from the above list. Write a paragraph or two about each one of your choice. In your paragraph state why you think this story is a good example of that issue and give examples from the text that show this.
For example: I think the novel, Pankration, is a novel that teaches us the importance of loyalty and that loyalty to your family and friends is essential to being a good person. In the story Gellius showed this quality when he ...........................
Nic also demonstrated loyalty on numerous occasions when he.............
2 Final Activities
Match the words on the left with the correct definition on the right
Words
story troll Greece Athens Poseidon training sparring blinded whisper slaves dawn truce thirst captain tent athlete compete sacrificed Olympic Games dolphin concentrate imprisonment altar hoisted wreath plague |
Definitions
|
Fill in the following blanks:
The name of the young boy in the novel is __________. His sister __________ was to be married early in the novel to a man named __________ . A __________ swept over __________ and __________ was forced to leave his home to escape from it. He went to sea and met a man named __________. This person was the __________ of the ship. He wanted to compete in the ____________at the next Olympic ___________.
During the voyage __________ attacked the boat and __________ was taken away. __________ was left for dead but ended up recovering in a fishing village where a girl named __________ took care of him. __________ was sold into slavery and had to work as a __________ . One day a __________ attacked one of his flock. A boy named __________ tried to kill him but his friend, __________ , saved him. They escaped together and made it to a port but his friend died there. __________ left to find his captain friend from the ship.
Meanwhile, __________ had recovered in the fishing village and he had gone away to prepare to compete in the __________ at the __________. He had to prepare for __________ months. In the end of the novel, the __________- toed pirate who had sold __________ into slavery ended up competing against ___________ in the championship match of the Pankration. He was calling himself __________. He won, however, __________ stood up and revealed his identity and so he was taken away and ___________ . _____________ was therefore crowned the champion and received a __________ .
The name of the young boy in the novel is __________. His sister __________ was to be married early in the novel to a man named __________ . A __________ swept over __________ and __________ was forced to leave his home to escape from it. He went to sea and met a man named __________. This person was the __________ of the ship. He wanted to compete in the ____________at the next Olympic ___________.
During the voyage __________ attacked the boat and __________ was taken away. __________ was left for dead but ended up recovering in a fishing village where a girl named __________ took care of him. __________ was sold into slavery and had to work as a __________ . One day a __________ attacked one of his flock. A boy named __________ tried to kill him but his friend, __________ , saved him. They escaped together and made it to a port but his friend died there. __________ left to find his captain friend from the ship.
Meanwhile, __________ had recovered in the fishing village and he had gone away to prepare to compete in the __________ at the __________. He had to prepare for __________ months. In the end of the novel, the __________- toed pirate who had sold __________ into slavery ended up competing against ___________ in the championship match of the Pankration. He was calling himself __________. He won, however, __________ stood up and revealed his identity and so he was taken away and ___________ . _____________ was therefore crowned the champion and received a __________ .