The Beginnings of the West:

Mycenae and Minoa

What is 'the West'?

Where In the World Are We?

Indo-European

Settling Hellas

* Hellas = Greece ('Greece' comes from Latin 'Grecki')

The First Mediterraneans

Crete

Why here? The ancient world's highway

The Minoans (2200-1400 B.C.)

“Minoan” civilization? The story of King Minos

Poseidon's gift Pasiphae's love The terrifying offspring 7 boys, 7 girls Theseus, the golden string, and the white sails Aegus

Palace Society

Centers of political, economic, and religious administration

Each a small city – thousands of inhabitants

Small Things, Huge Impact

Grapes and olives Healthy diet → population growth Valuable products – oil and wine → economics!

The Makings of Greece: Mycenae

The Bronze Age: Early Helladic (3000-2300) – farmers Middle Helladic (2000-1600) – invading

Indo-Europeans, destroyers Late Helladic (1600-1200) – conquerors, civilization

Enter Brad Pitt

Mycenae, the rise of Greece, and the Trojan War