Bellringer• Clear off your desk… ITS QUIZ TIME!

Agenda1. The First Greeks2. Foundations of Greek Culture3. Ancient Greek Values

ObjectivesStudents will be able to…36. Identify the foundations of Greek

values and culture, including the Minoans and Mycenaeans.

Ancient Greece• Most historians consider Ancient

Greece to be the foundation of our culture today• Understanding Ancient Greece is

essential for understanding ourselves• But where did Ancient Greek culture

come from?

Objective #36

The First Greeks

The Minoans• Civilization based on the island of

Crete–Capital at Knossos

Where is Ancient Greece?

Where is Crete?

Minoan Civilization• Named after King Minos–You read about him…

• Dominant in Mediterranean trade from 2000 to 1400 BCE• Not quite Greek, but Greek-like

Minoans Collapse• Recover from disaster in 1700 BCE• Can’t recover from earthquakes and

volcanic eruption in 1470 BCE• Probably invaded from mainland

Greece

Cultural Diffusion!• Minoans trade throughout

Mediterranean–Mainland Greece (Europe)–Asia Minor–Egypt

• Spread pottery techniques, religion, and maybe language

Then, the Mycenaeans

• Nomads settle in Greece, borrow cultural ideas from the Minoans, and probably invade Crete• Mycenaeans –Take over Mediterranean trade–Fall to nomadic invaders around

1200 BCE

The Mycenaeans

Before they die…• The Mycenaeans create Greek culture–Language–Religion/mythology–Art and literature

• They also fight the Trojan War• Remember Helen’s Husband and

Brother-in-law?

Ancient Greek Values

Greek Values• Respect the gods• Family• Arete (valor or virtue)• Agon (competition)• Kleos aphthiton (undying glory)

Respect the Gods• The gods are like high schoolers–Jealous–Petty–Easily angered–And they hold grudges

• Don’t make them angry, or you will pay–Myths tell you how to act–Rule #5

Family• Loyal to their family and friends, welcome

guests as temporary family members• Examples:–Greeks fight for 10 years to get Helen

back in the Iliad, led by Helen’s husband’s brother–Odysseus travels for 10 years to return

home to his wife, who remains faithful

Arete• Your value or worth, your moral

excellence• Examples:–Warriors and athletes honored in

the Iliad and Odyssey –Celebration of Odysseus’ and

Penelope’s intelligence

Agon• Competition or conflict, whether in

sport, battle, or conversation. The Greeks love to compete• Examples:–Constant athletic challenges

throughout the Iliad and Odyssey –Olympic Games

Kleos Aphthiton• Undying glory – the ultimate goal for the

Ancient Greeks was to be remembered forever• Examples:–Achilles (Iliad): you know how he died–Kings trying to be the most powerful–Olympic athletes–Spartan warriors

The Tale of Croesus• Herodotus: the world’s first historian• Croesus: the king of Lydia, the most

powerful kingdom in Western Asia

Where is Lydia?

Greece

LydiaPersia

The Oracles• Oracles can see the future• Most famous oracle was at Delphi• Locals will allow you

to ask questions of the oracle…for a price

Treasury of the Athenians at Delphi

Oracle at Delphi

A Mighty Empire Falls

• The Lydian Empire!

A Mule is Monarch• It was Cyrus!• “the mule cited in the oracle is Cyrus

himself, who was born from parents of different peoples and different social stations.”

The Lessons1. Oracles are vague and must be

interpreted carefully2. Hubris (excessive pride) will bring

you down

Mr. Poth’s Rule of World History #6

If you act like you can’t lose, you will

What are some similarities between the Mycenaeans

and Minoans?

-Pre-Greek Civilizations- Both conquered

- Both dominated Mediterranean trade

Palace at Knossos

Grand Staircase

Theater

Plumbing

6 miles of interlocking pipes to bring water from

the mountain

Art (frescos)