Upload
lillian-ball
View
221
Download
1
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
A Land Called Hellas Peninsula and series of island
in the Aegean Sea
Rocky, mountainous peninsula with little natural running water
Cyclades – Greek islands in the Aegean
Crete – largest island in the Aegean
Geographical fragmentation led to political fragmentation
Communication weak b/c of rough travel between settlements
First Peoples of Greece
Neolithic villages and farming sites on Crete and mainland – but did not establish contact with each until 2000 B.C.E.
Adoption of metallurgy increased prosperity – bronze tools and weapons
Central location of Crete allowed for trade and contact with other civilizations – development of Aegean economy Center of Mediterranean trade
These factors led to the rise of Minoan culture on Crete
The MinoansThe name “Minoan” comes from the mythical King
Minos (of Minotaur fame…)
Understanding of Minoan culture is limited b/c their literature has not been deciphered – Linear A Instead, we examine the art and archeology!
Minoan culture centered around the palace – political and economic center of society Ex: Palace at Knossos
Ruled by a king and his nobles Farmers, shepherds, artisans, merchants Slaves
The Minoan Frescoes Most prevalent form of
Minoan art
Depict a variety of scenes… Women and men leading
religious activities Entertainment (i.e. bull
jumping) Sea life and natural world People hunting, in court,
daily activities
Crete was possibly more egalitarian than other ancient cultures
Here come the Mycenaeans!Arrival of Greek speaking peoples around 2000
B.C.E.
Three main groups – all considered themselves Greek Aeolians – Thessaly and Boetia Ionians – Attica and Euboea Dorians – Argos and Laconia (Sparta)
Founded powerful kingdom at Mycenae – became the Mycenaeans Also founded kingdoms at Thebes, Athens, and other
sites
Center of economic and political life was the king and palace Extensive division of labor
controlled by the palace
Written language known as Linear B Used to record economic
activity Recorded offerings to
familiar deities – Zeus, Apollo, Athena
Linear B deciphered in 1950s
Study of Linear B tablets shows that Greeks brought their religion and deities with them when they migrated to Greece
Mycenaeans vs. Minoans Contact between the two groups initially peaceful
1450 B.C.E. Mycenaeans attacked Crete Destroyed many palaces – including Knossos
Mycenaneans benefitted from the collapse of the Minoans Access to more Mediterranean trade – more money! Imported luxury goods Mycenaean ceramics widely distributed across Mediterranean
Mycenaeans adopted many aspects of Minoan culture (ex: Frescoes) Frescoes suggest more militaristic society – lots of warriors
and hunters
Fall of the Mycenaeans and Dark Age Greece
Between 1300 and 1000 B.C.E. Mycenaeans experienced attacks from outside invaders – Sea Peoples or Dorians? Discord between kingdoms led to weak defense Part of larger collapse of societies at end of Bronze Age
Fall of Mycenaeans ushered in Dark Age, 1100-800 B.C.E. Society was localized, poor, illiterate Widespread depopulation and migration Greek people spread to outlying parts of Greece, Asia Minor,
and Cyclades
However, the Greek people and culture survived when other empires collapsed Greek religious cults and small scale social organization
Ways of Interpreting Myth As a belief system
As disguised history
As disguised philosophy or allegory
As fables illustrating moral truths
As allegories of natural events
As pre-scientific explanation
As charters for customs, institutions, or beliefs
As religious power, or metaphors for the unknown
As expressions of religious rituals
As examples of psychological archetypes
As stories
As embodying irreconcilable structural conflicts in social systems