Physical Map

Ancient Greece

2000 B.C.- 323 B.C.

Geography shaped Greek Civilization

1. The Sea coastal land Aegean, Ionian, and Black Seas were

waterways for Greeks Climate

Mediterranean climate Moderate temperature Low rainfall No snow

Geography

The Land ¾’s of land covered

with mountains small communities

/not much farming land

Culture and Trade

Warrior Kings and nobles lived in walled cities

Peasants lived outside the walls Seaborne trade was their

livelihood

Greek Wrestlers Ancient Games

The Minoans of Crete Minoan civilization developed as early as

2800 BC

Lasted nearly 1,000 years

Minoan ships filled with trade goods sailed back and forth between Crete and her colonies around the Aegean Sea and even to Egypt

KnossosMuch of Minoan life revealed by excavations

Solidly constructed buildingsPrivate roomsBasic plumbingBrightly colored artworkArtwork shows life tied to sea, women as priests, dangerous games

Excavation site Palace of Knossos

Palace of Knossos

Throne room

Artwork

Minoans Minoan civilization fell apart rather suddenly,

possibly from disaster.

Large eruption of volcanic island near Crete may have affected worldwide weather patterns.

Damage to Minoan ports, fewer crops may have weakened society

Minoans conquered by warlike Mycenaeans

The Mycenaeans

Mainland Greeks Leading city of Mycenae

Built to withstand any attack Warlike raiding kingdoms The Trojan War

Most likely a Mycenaean raid of a rival city

The Mycenaean States

• Mycenaeans built small kingdoms, often fought with each other

• Name comes from fortress, Mycenae

Minoan Influences

• Mycenaeans traded with Minoans, copied writing

• Became great traders

• Trade increased after they conquered Crete

First Greeks

• Mycenaeans considered first Greeks, spoke form of Greek language

• Earliest kingdoms owed much to Minoans

Mycenaean Differences

• Society dominated by intense competition, frequent warfare, powerful kings

• Kings taxed trade and farming to build palaces, high walls

Mycenaeans

Mycenaean Strength To show off strength, Mycenaeans built great monuments like Lion’s

Gate Kings’ constant quest for power, glory inspired legends Most famous, story of Trojan War

Downfall War played part in end of Mycenaean civilization, as did drought,

famine By end of 1100s BC, Mycenaean cities mostly in ruins; dark age

followed Greek civilization almost disappeared

Trojan War War supposedly involved early Greeks, led by Mycenae, who fought

powerful city called Troy, in what is now Turkey

Mycenaean Strengths and Downfall

Lion’s Gate Entrance to Citadel

The Greek Dark Ages

Skill of writing lost/ no written records 1150- 750 B.C. Homer- wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey

stories past on through word of mouth Epics - heroic poems Arete -to strive for excellence, to show

courage, and to win fame and honor