| The city-states of early Greece are generally | | | | One area of the popular activities of the city-states |
| considered together as one of the first great | | | | that lives on today can be seen in most major cities. |
| civilizations. This doesn't mean they weren't up for a | | | | In this case, we are talking about street artists. In |
| little fun. | | | | the city-states of ancient Greece, it was popular to |
| Having a Good Time in the City-States of Early | | | | come upon street poets and singers of all variety |
| Greece | | | | and ability. This form of artistry was translated to the |
| People in Greece had a remarkable veneration for | | | | future through bards and on to street mimes and |
| their gods and goddesses. As a result, most of the | | | | such. If you visit Europe today, you can still find |
| early group activities focused on the deities and, in | | | | street artists in many cities with Venice, Vienna, and |
| particular, praising them. This was accomplished | | | | Paris having a vast array of talented people plying |
| through a bevy of religious festivals held throughout | | | | their trade. |
| the year. In truth, there is a bit of a question as to | | | | In ancient Greece, the public performers served a |
| whether these festivals were more for political aims | | | | unique function when compared to modern street |
| than fun and worship. Given this fact, we will leave it | | | | artists. The Greek public entertainers were itinerant |
| at that. | | | | artists traveling from one place to another. This made |
| Sports played a large role in the city-states. To this | | | | them an excellent resource for news from far away |
| end, the modern Olympics were founded during the | | | | locations. Keep in mind there was no Internet or |
| time. Any real comparison, however, ends there. | | | | newspapers during those times. In there stead, |
| Unlike modern times, the ancient Olympics were | | | | traveling street artists delivered the news even if it |
| mostly about showing up and/or killing rivals as | | | | was a little out of date - and you thought dial up was |
| political statements. The battles and events often | | | | slow! |
| replaced war between two city-states and it was | | | | Having a good time in the city-states of Greece was |
| not uncommon for the loser to die in his efforts. | | | | both mild in the form of street artists and vicious in |
| While we hold the modern Olympics as two separate | | | | the form of the Olympics. Nonetheless, it is |
| events, summer and winter, the city-states called for | | | | interesting that many these events and practices |
| four different Olympics each and every year. No, | | | | have survived to these modern times, some 2,500 |
| they did not hand out gold medals and certainly not | | | | years later. |
| bronze medals. | | | | |