Lesson plan based on Amphora

Calculate the length of time it will take for Aristophanes’s guests to deplete his supply of wine.

Skills and Focus: Calculation, Problem Solving

Subject Area: Mathematics

Thematic Connection: Counting and Calculating

Grade Level: Middle School

Time Needed: 60 minutes

Objectives

• Practice converting from U.S. customary to metric measurements.

• Solve an algebraic problem.

Instructional Materials Needed

Story: Symposia: Ancient Greek Drinking Parties

Math.chart

Activity

Step 1: After watching Symposia: Ancient Drinking Parties or introducing the idea of Greek symposia in a discussion, introduce the various drinking vessels and their functions.

Step 2: Distribute the chart. Ask students to determine how long Aristophanes’s wine supply will hold out under the following conditions:

• He bought 1 large amphora of wine (26 liters) for the party.

• He mixes the wine with water in a 1:1 ratio.

• His guests consume wine at the rates shown on the chart.

Goals

This assignment meets Illinois State Goal 6: Demonstrate and apply a knowledge and sense of numbers, including basic arithmetic operations, number patterns, ratios, and proportions.

This assignment meets Illinois State Goal 8: Use algebraic and analytical methods to identify and describe patterns and relationships in data, solve problems, and predict results.

Guest	Vessel	Vessels per Hour
Socrates	kylix (8 oz.)	3
Alcibiades	rhyton (4 oz.)	5
Perikles	kantharos (8 oz.)	3
Plato	kylix (8 oz.)	3
Cleon	kantharos (6 oz.)	5
Polykrates	kylix (6 oz.)	4
Themistokles	kylix (8 oz.)	3
Aristophanes	rhyton (4 oz.)	6

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