Mediterranean BasinCity-states, living off land, fishing, trade

Climate: generally temperate. Much of life ledoutdoors. Market as major meeting-place

Soil: Light and dry, supporting agriculture,but trees only on mountains. Buildings ofstone or brick

Livestock: Mainly sheep and goats

Northern RegionPlain from France to Russian steppes. Hills,

mountains, plateaus, rivers

Climate: wet

Soil: Fertile areas, forests cleared by slash-and-burn. Small settlements of timber and clay

Livestock: Main source of subsistence. Cattle(also measure of wealth) and fishing

People

Earliest humans in Europe c. 30,000 years ago.Hunter-gatherers

First evidence of farming in 7th millennium BC

Fertility-based religion, cult of mother goddess

c. 3000 BC Appearance of solar cult

Economic Life: trade, agriculture, crafts

Warfare: inter-tribal, plus vs. externalenemies

The Celts

The CeltsOral Culture:

No written texts

Esteem for eloquence and bards

Oral teaching: emphasis on memorisation.Astronomy, nature/greatness of earth,power of gods, natural and moralphilosophy, immortality of soul.Knowledge as spiritual possession

The CeltsConcern for hygiene

Legal system

No towns: hill forts as meeting-points, markets

No coinage: fines assessed in cattle

Caste system: king, warrior aristocracy,intelligentsia, commoners, slaves. Womenenjoying reasonable freedom/opportunities

The CeltsWarrior prestige derived from prowess in battle

or sports

Other activities: story-telling, feasting, drinking

Buildings: mostly wood, some stone.Fortifications incl. ditch, bank, palisade

Religion: polytheistic, nature-orientated.Worship in natural sacred spaces.Sacrificial offerings in form of treasures

The Celts

Priesthood: druids. Secretive oral tradition

Educators and lawyers

Excommunication asmost powerful sentence.Human sacrifice?

Reincarnation/afterlife

Hellenic Culture

Economic Life: trade, agriculture, crafts,natural resources

Warfare: as collective endeavour for goodof city-state

Hellenic Culture

Intellectual Culture: Esteem for written word

Know names of various playwrights,philosophers, historians etc.

Widespread schooling and literacy

Legal system: established laws and procedures.Fines usually paid in coin

Hellenic Culture

Society: arrangement varied by city-state, butmale-dominated. Women generally hadfew rights and often secluded

Buildings: brick or stone. Monumental buildingprojects

Hellenic Culture

Religion: polytheistic and pantheistic. Attemptsto win divine favour through sacrifices offood and drink. Deities as patrons of cities,but also associated with concepts

Other activities: symposia, theatre, gymnasia,public festivals