Even after 3 000 years, we're still using ancient Greek ideas in math, science and art. Our alphabet is based on the Greek one. Check a dictionary and you’ll find hundreds of words that come from the Greek language.

How did Greek ideas spread so far? It’s down to Alexander, the young king of Macedon. He led his army to take over Greece, Persia, Egypt and even part of India. He ruled so much of the world they called him ‘Alexander the Great’.

Wherever he went, Alexander took Greek ideas. When he died in 323 BCE, the Romans took over. They admired the Greeks' way of life and carried Greek ideas to even more countries - including ours!

Look at the famous Renaissance Painting entitled School of Athens below. (You can right click>new tab to see a larger image.) This painting celebrates the legacies of the Ancient Greeks giving us a window into what they handed down to us. What do you see going on here? What symbols might be present? 

School of Athens - Raphael - 1509-1511

text in this section from BBC- Bite Size History - Ancient Greece