Ancient GreeceAncient Greece
2000 B.C.E.-1000 B.C.E.2000 B.C.E.-1000 B.C.E.
Overview of GreeceOverview of Greece
• Physical Setting– Northeast End of the Mediterranean– Consists of Small Peninsulas– Geography
• Short mountain ranges cut through mainland• Separate communities• Prevents Unity among Greeks
– No clear river system• No unifying meeting place• Prevents Unity
– Mild climate, good soil, sufficient rainfall• Farmers can grow grain, grapes, olives• Sheeps, Goats raised in mountains• Not enough to live on
The Importance of GeographyThe Importance of Geography
• Geography encourages trade– Long coastline allows all of mainland to be
near sea– Islands surrounding have many good
harbors
• Question: What types of occupations might Greek citizens develop?
– (Farmers, fishermen, sailors, traders, explorers)
The Predecessors of the GreeksThe Predecessors of the Greeks
• The Minoans – Existed on Crete before Greek Civilization– Legendary in Greek culture, verified in 1900 AD
• Archaeologists discover Knossos (palace of King Minos)• Ruins, artifacts discovered since back up finding
• Characteristics– Writing: “Linear A” (Not been deciphered yet), “Linear B” (early
form of Greek)• Well established by 2000 BCE
– Art: created Frescoes (Wall paintings on plaster)
• Dominated the Aegean Islands– 1500 BCE: Volcano destroys much of Minoan civilization
The Palace of King MinosKing Minos’ palace:
built as a labyrinthlegendary home of the
Minotaur
Outside King Minos’ palace today
King Minos' governmental throne room.
The MycenaeansThe Mycenaeans
• 2000 BCE: Groups from the North (Indo-European)
• Culture develops around 1600 BCE-1200 BCE
• Warlike group, conquered other areas• Conquered Crete, adopted much of
Minoan civilization• 1200 BCE: Earthquakes destroy much of
civilization
The palace in Mycenae was
surrounded by massive walls with a huge
gateway called the Lion Gate
Mycenaen CivilizationMycenaen Civilization
• Palaces in the city of Mycenae– served as the centers for government and
economy
• Government– Role of Tax collectors:
• kept track of the wealth of the people living in the kingdom
• collected taxes on: wheat, livestock, honey etc.
Mycenaen CivilizationMycenaen Civilization
• Economy– tanned leather, sewed clothes, made jars for
honey and olive oil, created bronze shields etc.
• What did they learn from the Minoans?– used Minoan architecture as a model for their
palaces
– Metalworking--------shipbuilding– navigation------lead by the sun and stars– Religion- worshipped Earth Mother
Mycenaen CivilizationMycenaen Civilization
• Why does the civilization come to an end?– Two Theories:
1. Infighting amongst the kingdoms
2. Invasion by the Dorians
DoriansDorians
• Came in armed with iron weapons
• called the “dark age”:– Why?
• Trade ended, poverty increased, literacy declined
• refugees fled to Ionia
• 750 BCE- reintroduced culture, crafts, etc.
• Founding of Hellenic Civilization – 700’s BCE- 350 BCE