Famous Men of Greece · Ch. XVII · Unit 5: The Persian Wars
22. Cimon
Goal: Your child can tell how Cimon helped Athens become strong at sea and why he called Athens and Sparta "the two legs of Greece."
You'll need
- A map or globe (a free online map works well)
- A notebook or paper and colored pencils
What's in the book
Young Cimon, son of Miltiades, hangs up his bridle in Minerva's temple to show that Athens needs seamen. He clears pirates from Scyros, brings home the bones of Theseus, wins two victories in one day, and forces the Persians to make peace. He helps Sparta after an earthquake, is banished, recalled, and dies on campaign.
The lesson, step by step
Warm up
Ask: who was Miltiades? Who was Themistocles? (Cimon is the son of one and agreed with the other.)
Read the chapter together
Read pages 154–162 aloud, or let your child read and help with the hard names.
Narration
Close the book. Ask your child to tell the story back in their own words, from the beginning. Don't correct as they go; just listen. If they get stuck, use a prompt:
- What did Cimon mean by hanging up his bridle?
- What did he find on the island of Scyros?
- How did Cimon use his riches?
- Why did the Athenians banish him?
Talk it over
Ask:
1. Why did some Athenians not want to help Sparta after the earthquake?
2. What did Cimon mean by "the two legs of Greece"?
3. What do you think of the oracle's answer, "Because Cimon is already with me"?
Remember it
"Athens and Sparta are the two legs of Greece. Do not suffer Greece to be maimed and Athens to lose her companion."
Something extra
The Athenians said of Cimon: "He got riches so that he could use them and then used them so that he got honor." Ask your child what it means, and whether it is a good way to use money.
Afterwards
Make a small "Famous Athenians" chart so far: Solon, Pisistratus, Miltiades, Themistocles, Aristides, Cimon, with one word for each.
Answers to the book's problems
1. They were rivals and thought it would be good for Athens if Sparta lost her power. 2. Greece needed both cities strong, like a body needs two legs. 3. Cimon had already died; the god meant he was in the other world.
Worked out for this site from the scan. If a number in your copy differs, trust the book.