The Mycenaeans For Web

The MycenaeansThe Mycenaeans

And the First Greek KingdomsAnd the First Greek Kingdoms

37° 43′ 51″ N, 22° 45′ 22″ E

I. Hello Mycenaeans!I. Hello Mycenaeans!

• A. Originally from Central Asia (Russia).A. Originally from Central Asia (Russia).• B. Invade Greek mainland around 2000 B. Invade Greek mainland around 2000

B.C.E.B.C.E.• C. Conquer the majority of the C. Conquer the majority of the

Peloponnesian Peninsula.Peloponnesian Peninsula.

Can you find Mycenae?Can you find Mycenae?

In the Grasslands

How do we know about How do we know about the Mycenaeans?the Mycenaeans?

• Dear Heinrich Schliemann,

Thank you for discovering the walled palace of Mycenae and for your lovely Mycenaean artifacts.

Sincerely,

Miss Rice

II. Daily Life in MycenaeII. Daily Life in Mycenae

• A. Palaces built on a hilltops with A. Palaces built on a hilltops with huge walls to protect themhuge walls to protect them

• B. In times of danger all citizens of B. In times of danger all citizens of Mycenae lived within the city walls.Mycenae lived within the city walls.

This is where the palace of Mycenae once stood.

II. Daily Life in MycenaeII. Daily Life in Mycenae

• The Megaron = entertainment & council The Megaron = entertainment & council meetings (Powerful Kings)meetings (Powerful Kings)

Archaeological remains of Mycenae.

II. Daily Life in MycenaeII. Daily Life in Mycenae

• A. The powerful kings gave land A. The powerful kings gave land (Estates)(Estates) to those who deserved it. to those who deserved it.

• The land was worked by slaves or The land was worked by slaves or tenantstenants

II. Daily Life in MycenaeII. Daily Life in Mycenae

• C. Most people were farmers or artisans.C. Most people were farmers or artisans.• D. Hunting!D. Hunting!• E. Artisans –E. Artisans –

– 1. Leather workers1. Leather workers– 2. Metal workers (swords!)2. Metal workers (swords!)– 3. Pottery3. Pottery

• A. stored wineA. stored wine• B. olive oilB. olive oil

III. Economy & TradeIII. Economy & Trade

• A. By 1800 B.C.E. Mycenaeans A. By 1800 B.C.E. Mycenaeans begin to trade with Minoans.begin to trade with Minoans.

• B. Copied Minoan design for ships B. Copied Minoan design for ships and culture!and culture!

• C. Learn to navigate using the sun C. Learn to navigate using the sun and stars.and stars.

III. Economy & TradeIII. Economy & Trade

• D. Trade with Egypt & Parts of D. Trade with Egypt & Parts of Southern Italy.Southern Italy.

• E. By 1400 B.C.E. control the E. By 1400 B.C.E. control the Mediterranean Sea!Mediterranean Sea!

• F. Why?F. Why?

•Overthrow the Minoans

IV. Warriors at HeartIV. Warriors at Heart

• A. Had strong weapons.A. Had strong weapons.• B. Fierce Warriors!B. Fierce Warriors!• C. Once they gain control of Med. C. Once they gain control of Med.

Sea begin to conquer other lands.Sea begin to conquer other lands.

Mycenaean soldiers, ready for battle!

Late Mycenaean helmets 1300-1100 B.C. Based on pottery, fresco, sculptures representation and partial findings.

Warriors from Mycenae (1200 B.C.) oil painting based on mycenaean pottery (artist Andrea Salimbeti).

V. The Trojan WarV. The Trojan War

• A. Middle 1200’s B.C.E.A. Middle 1200’s B.C.E.

V. The Trojan WarV. The Trojan War

• B. Troy – A trade center in Asia B. Troy – A trade center in Asia Minor.Minor.

Troy

The Trojan WarThe Trojan War

• In Reading…..In Reading…..

• In Film…………In Film…………

Questions from the ReadingQuestions from the Reading

1.1. Who was the poet that wrote the Iliad about Who was the poet that wrote the Iliad about the epic Trojan War?the epic Trojan War?

2.2. The whole Trojan War started when who The whole Trojan War started when who brought what present to the marriage of brought what present to the marriage of Thetis, the sea nymph? What happened?Thetis, the sea nymph? What happened?

3.3. Who has to choice “the fairest” of all the Who has to choice “the fairest” of all the goddess? Who was chosen? goddess? Who was chosen?

4.4. What did she give to the person who picked What did she give to the person who picked her as “the fairest?”her as “the fairest?”

5.5. What was the problem with this prize?What was the problem with this prize?

6.6. Who is Menelaus?Who is Menelaus?

Questions from the ReadingQuestions from the Reading

7.7. Who is Agamemon & what did he do to Who is Agamemon & what did he do to please the gods?please the gods?

8.8. How many years did the seige last on Troy?How many years did the seige last on Troy?9.9. How did the Greeks get inside the city? How did the Greeks get inside the city? 10.10. Why did they build that particular figure?Why did they build that particular figure?11.11. Who is Clytemnestra & what did she do to Who is Clytemnestra & what did she do to

avenge her daughter? What was her ultimate avenge her daughter? What was her ultimate fate? fate?

12.12. What are the questions that plague historians What are the questions that plague historians that deal with the Trojan War and the city of that deal with the Trojan War and the city of Troy? State your beliefs after reading the Troy? State your beliefs after reading the section “What’s the Truth?”section “What’s the Truth?”

VI. Mycenae FallsVI. Mycenae Falls

• A. Trojan war = victory???A. Trojan war = victory???• B. B. Civil WarsCivil Wars break out at home, break out at home,

while military is in Troy.while military is in Troy.• C. C. Civil WarCivil War – wars between – wars between

opposing citizens in one opposing citizens in one civilization.civilization.

• D. By 1100 B.C.E. Mycenaean D. By 1100 B.C.E. Mycenaean civilization collapsed.civilization collapsed.