LESSON PLANS
The Siren Vase
GREECE
Ο Οδυσσέας και οι Σειρήνες
Water
B1
Warming Up
Write at least 6 adjectives that describe the feeling you get when you see this piece of art (you can look up words in the dictionary).
Do you like it?
Could you tell what part of the world is just by looking at the picture?
Vocabulary
Cultural Heritage Background
The Phoenician civilisation came from what is now Syria and Lebanon. Its inhabitants were forced to move because of the lack of fertile land. When they arrived at what is now the “Costa del Sol” (south of Spain), they concentrated on activities at sea. In fact, in the 6th century B.C., Málaga became an important commercial centre in the Mediterranean.
The jábegas are part of Málaga’s history, the birth of these famous boats dates back to the Phoenicians. At that time, these fast boats were used for trade and were the perfect vehicle for it, as traders and fishermen could cross from one village to another in less than a day.
The Phoenicians spent a lot of time on the sea. That is why they prayed to Melkart, the sea god, the god of colonisation and protection of navigation. This is also why the Phoenicians spread out the tradition of drawing an eye on both sides of their jábegas, which was believed to scare away sea monsters and pirates.
True or False
Listening
Listen to a sentence from the Cultural Heritage text and answer the following questions…
The jábegas are part of Málaga’s history, the birth of these famous boats dates back to the Phoenicians. At that time, these fast boats were used for trade and were the perfect vehicle for it, as traders and fishermen could cross from one village to another in less than a day.
The Phoenicians spent a lot of time on the sea. That is why they prayed to Melkart the sea god, the god of colonisation and protection of navigation. This is also why the Phoenicians spread out the tradition of drawing an eye on both sides of their jábegas, which was believed to scare away sea monsters and pirates.
Listening Comprehension (optional)
Reading the story
Reading Comprehension
Grammar
Additional activities
Watch this short video about the history of the Phoenicians and then answers the quizz:
Vídeo (Australian English): Historia de los fenicios: las superpotencias marítimas del Mediterráneo – YouTube
Extra resources for learners
Watch the video to learn how the tradition of building Jábegas is still alive in Málaga: Jábegas – The art of Malaga’s traditional fishing boats – YouTube
Watch the documentary to learn more about the other civilizations that lived in the Mediterranean Lost Worlds of the Mediterranean (Full Episode) | Drain the Oceans – YouTube