Early Greek Civilization Geography, civilization, culture
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I. The Impact of Geography 0 Greece consists of a mountainous
peninsula and numerous islands. 0 The mountains and seas were the
most important geographical influences on Greece.
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I. Impact of Geography 0 The many mountain ranges caused small,
independent communities to develop different ways of life.
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I. The Impact of Geography 0 Greece has many ports, inlets, and
islands. 0 The Greeks became seafarers. 0 They sailed into the
Aegean, the Black, and the Mediterranean Seas. 0 They made contact
with the outside world and set up colonies and trade throughout the
Mediterranean area.
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II. The Minoan Civilization 0 By 2800 B.C., a Bronze Age
civilization called the Minoan civilization was established on
Crete.
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II. The Minoan Civilization 0 Archaeologists discovered the
remains of a rich trading culture based on the seafaring city of
Knossos. 0 The Minoans sailed to southern Greece and Egypt for
trade.
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II. The Minoan Civilization 0 The elaborate palace at Knossos
contained many brightly colored living rooms, workshops, ivory
figurines, jewelry, and bathrooms with drains.
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II. The Minoan Civilization 0 The Minoan civilization on Crete
suffered a catastrophe around 1450 B.C. 0 Some historians believe
that a tidal wave caused by a volcanic eruption was the cause.
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II. The Minoan Civilization 0 Others believe the civilization
was destroyed by an invasion of mainland Greeks known as
Mycenaeans.
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III. The First Greek State: Mycenae 0 The Mycenaeans had a
warrior culture. 0 They also developed an extensive commercial
network. 0 They conquered some of the Greek islands, perhaps even
Crete.
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IV. Homer 0 It was during the Greek Dark Age that the works of
Homer, one of the worlds great poets appeared.
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IV. Homer 0 Homers two epic poems were the Illiad and the
Odyssey. 0 An epic poem is a long poem that tells of a great heros
deeds.
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IV. Homer 0 The Illiad takes place during the Trojan War. 0
Paris, a Trojan prince, kidnaps Helen, the wife of the king of
Sparta. 0 The Mycenaean Greeks lay siege to Troy for ten years,
finally taking the city with the famous Trojan horse.
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IV. Homer 0 The Odyssey tells of the Greek hero Odysseus ten
year return to his home and family.