6th grade ubd - unit 6 - geography of ancient greece
TRANSCRIPT
Preview
Islands and Mountains- Ancient Greece had a
very different geography than other river valley
civilizations, such as Mesopotamia, India, China,
and Egypt.
The Persian Empire- The Persian Empire was one
of the largest empires in the ancient world. It
covered parts of three continents: Europe, Africa,
and Asia.
The Persian Wars- The Persian Wars were fought
between the Persian Empire and the Greek city-
states.
Reach Into Your Background
The accomplishments of
ancient Europe still have
an impact on our world.
What U.S.
accomplishments do you
know about? Think of
some great things
Americans have done.
Explain why people
remember these
achievements today.
( 5 minutes)
Partner Activity
Work with a neighbor and compare your answer with theirs. What things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)
Key Ideas- Islands and Mountains
Ancient Greece was located in southeast Europe along
the Mediterranean Sea.
Ancient Greece was a series of mountainous islands and
peninsulas. These geographic features affected the way
of life in Greece. They affected what crops people grew
and how people traveled.
Greek city-states developed after the Mycenaean period
with each city controlling the land around it. Greek
geography made it difficult for city-states to expand
their territory.
Compare and Contrast
Ancient Egypt Ancient Greece
1. How is the geography of these two regions similar and different?2. How do you think Greek civilization was affected by its geography?
Islands and Mountains
The Greek civilization was
one of the great powers
of the ancient world.
While many ancient
civilizations began in river
valleys, the Greeks
settled on a group of
islands and peninsulas in
southeastern Europe.
Islands and Mountains
Greece’s steep mountains
also affected the crops and
animals in the region.
Farmers raised goats and
sheep because they could
graze on the sides of the
mountains.
They used goats and sheep
for milk, cheese, and wool.
Islands and Mountains
The land of the
Greeks was
surrounded by the
Mediterranean,
Ionian, and
Aegean Seas,
which made the
Greeks adept at
sea travel.
Islands and Mountains
The surrounding water,
plus the mountainous
terrain of many of the
Greek islands, helped
to create a sense of
independence for the
various Greek
populations.
Islands and Mountains
These people formed
numerous city-states
for the purpose of self-
government.
Some of the city-states
—including Mycenae,
Athens, Sparta,
Corinth, and Thebes—
developed distinct
customs and policies.
Key Term
City-State-
An
independent
kingdom or
state made
up of a city
and the
surrounding
lands it
controls.
The Economy of Ancient Greece
The people of ancient Greece
used their geographic
surroundings to their benefit.
Sea travel and trade brought
prosperity to many city-
states, particularly those in
control of important routes
and waterways.
The Economy of Ancient Greece
Some city-states also invaded
and colonized surrounding
lands in order to obtain more
land and resources.
Although much of their land
was rocky, the Greeks found
ways to introduce methods of
irrigation to support
agriculture.
The Economy of Ancient Greece
Many of the Greek
islands and peninsulas
abounded in olives and
grapes, and farmers
were able to raise
goats and sheep along
the steep hillsides.
Unique City-States
Greece’s geography made travel
and communication difficult.
As a result, it was hard to have
one central government.
Because of this, the city-states
grew separately.
The city-states were often quite
different from one another
because of their locations.
Unique City-States
The Greek city-states grew in
separation from one another.
However, they did have some
common culture and goals.
When they were threatened,
the Greek city-states
sometimes worked together
to protect themselves.
Unique City-States
These threats often came
from another great power
—Persia.
Persia wanted to have
more power in the region.
This struggle for control
meant that Persia often
fought with Greek city-
states and colonies.
Summary
Greece’s many mountains and seas contributed to how
Greek civilization grew.
Greeks used the seas to develop a rich trade with other
areas.
The islands and mountains led to the development of
city-states rather than a united civilization.
These city-states would change how future civilizations
formed governments and studied the world around
them.
Key Ideas- The Persian Empire
Cyrus of Persia united Iran under his rule. He conquered
neighboring areas, establishing the Persian Empire.
His successors conquered more lands until the Persian Empire
stretched from Egypt to India.
During their conquests, the Persians conquered several Greek
colonies.
King Darius organized the empire so that the Persians could
control the vast and diverse land they had conquered. He created
a single currency. He built roads to link his empire together.
Key Term
Persia- The
old name for
current-day
Iran. It serves
as a bridge
between the
East and the
West.
The Persian Empire
The Persian Empire formed to
the east of Greek civilization.
Persia was a place in what is
now the country of Iran.
This new empire became an
enemy of the Greek city-
states.
It wanted Greek land and
power.
The Persian Empire
Although the Greek
city-states generally
operated
independently of
one another, they
sometimes joined
together in the face
of threats.
The Persian Empire
Some of the most
severe threats came
from the Persian
Empire, a powerful
empire that ultimately
expanded through
parts of Europe,
Africa, and Asia.
Key Term
Cyrus the
Great- United
most of what
is today Iran
under his
control and
established
himself as the
ruler of Persia.
The Persian Empire
The Persian Empire
formed in
approximately 548 BCE,
when Cyrus the Great
united much of what is
today the nation of Iran.
In the coming years, he
conquered many
surrounding lands and
incorporated them into
the Persian Empire.
The Persian Empire
Darius I, continued the
expansion and instituted
a strong system of
government control over
the conquered lands.
The Persian Empire’s
increasing power led to
conflicts with some of
the Greek city-states.
Key Ideas- The Persian Wars
The Persian Wars united the Greek city-
states together against a common Persian
enemy.
The mountains and islands of Greece made
it difficult for the Persians to conquer all of
the Greek city-states.
The Greek victory against the Persians
ensured that Greece would remain separate
from the Persian Empire.
Key Term
Persian
Wars- A wars
between the
Persian empire
and Greek
city-states;
Greek
victories
allowed Greek
civilization to
define identity.
The Persian Wars
When some Greek
city-states began
to rebel against
Persian
domination, a
group of other
Greek city-states
united to assist in
the uprisings.
Key Term
Allies- A state
formally
cooperating
with another
for a military
or other
purpose,
typically by
treaty.
The Persian Wars
The resulting conflicts
between the Greek city-
states and the Persian
Empire are collectively
known as the Persian Wars.
After the rebellion ended,
Darius plotted to conquer
all of Greece, but his plan
was halted at Marathon.
The Persian Wars
In 480 BCE,
Darius’s son,
Xerxes, who was
the new Persian
king, launched an
invasion by land
and sea.
Thermopylae
Greek forces created a
brilliant strategy, using
their country’s rocky
terrain to slow the
advance of the huge
Persian army at
Thermopylae.
After a fierce battle,
however, the Greeks were
defeated.
The End of the Wars
It was not until a great
sea battle at Salamis
that the Greeks, using
their famed sailing
skills, gained the
upper hand and
eventually drove off
the Persian invaders.
The End of the Wars
The temple of
Athena Nike was
built as a
memorial in
recognition of
Greek victories
during
the Persian Wars.
Independent Activity
What has been the
“muddiest” point so
far in this lesson? That
is, what topic remains
the least clear to you?
(4 minutes)