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Themes of Classical Greece Early Greeks origins and influence of geography Cultural and Scientific Advancements Athens VS Sparta different cultures within Greece Conflicts Legacy

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Origins of Classical Greek Civilization

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MAIN IDEA The roots of Greek culture are based on the interactions of the Mycenaean, Minoan, and Dorian cultures.

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WHY IT MATTERS NOW The seeds of much of Western cultural heritage were planted during this time period.

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Influence of Geography Looking at the map, how do you think geography played a role in the development of Classical Greek Civilization?

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Geography Mountainous peninsula that juts out into the Mediterranean Sea 2000 islands in the Ionian and Aegean Seas Greece was surrounded by water

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Geography Importance of the Sea Dependant on the seas Rarely had to travel more than 85 miles to get to the coast Important travel and trade routes enabled the Greeks to get much needed natural resources that they lacked (i.e. timber, metals, and farmland) Enabled the Greeks to become the most skilled seafarers of the time

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Geography Difficulties of the Land Greece is roughly 75% rugged mountains Mountains acts as natural borders between regions within Greece - led to the development of small communities rather than a single government Travel overland was difficult Stony landscape very little was suitable for farming There were small fertile valleys for small- scale farming, but the Greek landscape could never support a very large population never reached more than a few million people Landscape encouraged the Greeks to colonize elsewhere

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Geography - Climate Moderate climate (48 in the Winter; 80 in the Summer) supported an outdoor lifestyle Huge influence on culture outdoor public events

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Notes on Greek Geography Surrounded by water travel and trade Rugged terrain isolated villages and limited farming Warm climate Limitations forced Greeks to expand empire

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Mycenaeans The First Greeks Indo-Europeans that migrated to Greece in 2000 BCE Main city was in Mycenae Civilization flourished from 1600-1100 BCE Dominated Greece through conquest warring aristocracy

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Mycenaean Culture Written language Elaborate burial rituals Crops grain, olives and grapes Huge textile industry Art jewelry, frescoes, architecture, advanced weapons

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Mycenaean Civilization Notes From Mycenae, Southern Greece Dominated Greece 1600- 1100 BCE Militant

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Minoans Other Early Greeks Occupied the island of Crete and came into contact with the Mycenaeans around 1500 BCE Influenced the Mycenaeans Seaborne trade Much more civilized than the Mycenaeans Language, art, architecture, technology

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Minoan Notes Trade Writing Influenced Greek religion, art, politics and literature

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Mycenaeans and Minoans - Notes Set the groundwork for modern Western civilizations

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And then came the Dorians After the collapse of the Mycenaean and Minoan civilizations, the Dorians moved in they almost ruined a good thing. Far less advanced Economy and trade collapsed Lost written language No written records Even though they werent too sharp, the Dorians played a huge role in the development of Greek culture Loss of written language led to an oral tradition epic poems Most Greek myths/gods stem from epic poems

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Dorians - Notes Far less advanced Lost written language, few records Led to epic poems, mythology