Standard WHI.5› Students will be able

to demonstrate knowledge of ancient Greece in terms of its impact on Western civilization by: Assessing the influence of

geography on Greek economic, social, and political development, including the impact of Greek commerce and colonies

Essential Question› How did the

mountains, sea, islands, harbors, peninsulas, and straights of the Aegean Basin shape Greek economic, social, and political development and patterns of trade and colonization?

Sea› Shaped Greek Civilization› 1,400 islands› Access to the sea links

Greek trade, travel, and economics to other countries

› Liquid highways› Became skilled sailors› Trade important because

Greece had little natural resources Masters of the sea

Land› Rugged mountains cover

3/4ths of Ancient Greece› Made overland travel, trade,

and political unity difficult› Led to development of city-

states Difficult communication Creation of Polis (city-state)

› Lack of resources led to expansion (war) Little farmland

Impacted agriculture Little fresh water

Climate› Mild climate

40 degrees in Winter 80 degrees in Summer

› Encouraged outdoor civic and cultural life Sports, Olympics Discussion

Political, economic Theater Trade

Took place in Agora (marketplace)

Geographic Features Effects

Sea

Land

Climate

Based on the island of Crete, named after Minos.

First Minoans were farmers who emigrated from Asia Minor.

Characteristics:› Palace Cities› Extensive trade networks

with Egypt and Mesopotamia

› Sophisticated artwork

Rulers lived in a palace at Knossos.

Rooms for royal family and religious shrines.› Covered with beautiful

frescoes.

Reflect importance of sea and religion.

Centered on ruler, which was reflected in layout.› King’s palace was always

at center.

Served as political, economic, and cultural focal point.

Most important palace in Crete.

Trade flourished due to its favorable geographic position.› Traded with Egypt –

cultural diffusion

Cultural influences and important raw materials came from Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Evidence of metalworking.

Developed commercial and urban life.

Cultivated vines and olive orchards to produce wine and olive oil.

Indo-Europeans 2000 B.C.E.

Location› Steep, rocky ridge› Surrounded by

protective wall Could withstand almost

any attack› Warrior-king

Lots of weapons found at Mycenaean sites

› Controlled trade in Aegean and Ionian Seas

Culture and Trade› Luxurious lifestyle for

nobles and Kings Strong culture led by

wealthy warrior-Kings› Buried with treasures› Bronze weapons, gold

cups› Invaded Crete and

other nearby cities› Cultural diffusion

Minoan sailing Minoan writing system art

Trojan War› 1200 B.C.E.› 10 year war with Troy

(Anatolia)› Legend of Helen› Thought to be fictional› 1870 C.E. Heinrich

Schliemann finds Troy› Struggle over

waterways and trade

Dorians› Mycenaean civilization

collapsed after war› Moved into war-torn

countryside› Spoke Greek› Far less advanced than

Mycenaean's› Economy collapsed› Writing stopped from 1150-

750 B.C.E. Period of decline

Period of 750 to 600 B.C.E = intense population growth

Colonization expanded from Black Sea to across Mediterranean

Led to expansion of trade› Greek merchants sold

wine and olive oil

Money economy replaced traditional barter system› Swapping goods for

one another

Standard WHI.5› Students will be able

to demonstrate knowledge of ancient Greece in terms of its impact on Western civilization by: Assessing the influence of

geography on Greek economic, social, and political development, including the impact of Greek commerce and colonies

Essential Question› How did the

mountains, sea, islands, harbors, peninsulas, and straights of the Aegean Basin shape Greek economic, social, and political development and patterns of trade and colonization?

City-States› Athens› Sparta› Mycenae› Knossos

Landmass› Asia (minor)

Seas› Aegean› Ionian› Mediterranean› Black