minoans

The Early Greeks

The Minoans, the Minotaur, and the Mystery

Warm Up Question Based on the picture below, how would you

describe the geography of Greece?

I. Geography of Greece

A. Surrounded by water (Ionian, Med., Aegean Seas).

B. Mountainous! C. Fishing over farming. D. Early Greek communities grew up

independent!

II. The Minoans

A. Minoan Civilization begins on the island of Crete around 2800 B.C.E.

B. Main Idea – The Minoans earned their living by building ships and trading!

C. 1st civilization in the region that later became Greece.

III.Minoan Way of Life

A. Sea-faring civilization. B. Carpenters built fast ships. C. Economy = trade & fishing D. By 2000 B.C.E. Minoans control trade in

the Mediterranean Sea.

A recreation of a Minoan Ship

IV. Minoan Sports

A. Minoans loved sports B. Built world’s first arena C. Could seat 500 peeps!!! D. Boxing Matches & Bull Leaping!

V. Minoan Cities

A. No Walls! B. Famous for their grand palaces! C. Located in the center of the cities,

royalty lived there. D. Palace of Knossos was the grandest of

the grand palaces!

VI. The Fall of the Minoans

A. Around 1450 B.C.E. Minoan civilization disappears!

B. Most likely a cataclysmic event. C. The Greeks claim it was the fault of the

MINOTAUR!

The Labyrinth and The Minotaur

A Young Greek prince named Theseus was brought to Knossos. He was to be sacrificed to the Minotaur, a huge monster the king kept in the palace labyrinth. The Minotaur had the head of a bull and lived on human flesh. Theseus was put into the labyrinth. He fought the monster with a magical sword and killed it. When the Minotaur Died, the power of the Minoans died too.

Make a Wanted Poster

Help keep the Minoans Alive. Make a wanted poster for the Minotaur, SO

THE MINOANS DON’T DIE!

MURDER OF U.S. NATIONALS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES; CONSPIRACY TO MURDER U.S. NATIONALS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES; ATTACK ON A FEDERAL FACILITY RESULTING IN DEATH

USAMA BIN LADEN

Date of Photograph Unknown