ancient greece

Ancient GreeceAncient Greece

2000 B.C.E.-1000 B.C.E.2000 B.C.E.-1000 B.C.E.

Overview of GreeceOverview of Greece

• Physical Setting– Northeast End of the Mediterranean– Consists of Small Peninsulas– Geography

• Short mountain ranges cut through mainland• Separate communities• Prevents Unity among Greeks

– No clear river system• No unifying meeting place• Prevents Unity

– Mild climate, good soil, sufficient rainfall• Farmers can grow grain, grapes, olives• Sheeps, Goats raised in mountains• Not enough to live on

The Importance of GeographyThe Importance of Geography

• Geography encourages trade– Long coastline allows all of mainland to be

near sea– Islands surrounding have many good

harbors

• Question: What types of occupations might Greek citizens develop?

– (Farmers, fishermen, sailors, traders, explorers)

The Predecessors of the GreeksThe Predecessors of the Greeks

• The Minoans – Existed on Crete before Greek Civilization– Legendary in Greek culture, verified in 1900 AD

• Archaeologists discover Knossos (palace of King Minos)• Ruins, artifacts discovered since back up finding

• Characteristics– Writing: “Linear A” (Not been deciphered yet), “Linear B” (early

form of Greek)• Well established by 2000 BC

– Art: created Frescoes (Wall paintings on plaster)

• Dominated the Aegean Islands– 1500 BC: Volcano destroys much of Minoan civilization

The Palace of King MinosKing Minos’ palace:

built as a labyrinthlegendary home of the

Minotaur

Outside King Minos’ palace today

King Minos' governmental throne room.

The MycenaeansThe Mycenaeans

• 2000 BC: Groups from the North (Indo-European)

• Culture develops around 1600 BC-1200 BC

• Warlike group, conquered other areas• Conquered Crete, adopted much of

Minoan civilization• 1200 BC: Earthquakes destroy much of

civilization

The palace in Mycenae was

surrounded by massive walls with a huge

gateway called the Lion Gate

Mycenaen CivilizationMycenaen Civilization

• Palaces in the city of Mycenae– served as the centers for government and

economy

• Government– Role of Tax collectors:

• kept track of the wealth of the people living in the kingdom

• collected taxes on: wheat, livestock, honey etc.


• Economy– tanned leather, sewed clothes, made jars for

honey and olive oil, created bronze shields etc.

• What did they learn from the Minoans?– used Minoan architecture as a model for their

palaces

– Metalworking--------shipbuilding– navigation------lead by the sun and stars– Religion- worshipped Earth Mother


• Why does the civilization come to an end?– Two Theories:

1. Infighting amongst the kingdoms

2. Invasion by the Dorians

DoriansDorians

• Came in armed with iron weapons

• called the “dark age”:– Why?

• Trade ended, poverty increased, literacy declined

• refugees fled to Ionia

• 750 B.C.- reintroduced culture, crafts, etc.

• Founding of Hellenic Civilization – 700’s B.C.- 350 B.C.

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ancient greece