The Early GreeksThe Early Greeks

Chapter 4 section 1Chapter 4 section 1

Objective Objective

Discuss the geography of Greece.Discuss the geography of Greece. Compare and contrast the civilizations Compare and contrast the civilizations

of the Minoans and the Mycenaeans. of the Minoans and the Mycenaeans.

Map of the Early GreeksMap of the Early Greeks

Geography of GreeceGeography of Greece

Mainland Greece is mountainous Mainland Greece is mountainous peninsula-peninsula- a body of land with water on three sides.a body of land with water on three sides.

The Ionian Sea is to the west of Greece, the The Ionian Sea is to the west of Greece, the Aegean is to the east, and the Aegean is to the east, and the Mediterranean Sea is to the south.Mediterranean Sea is to the south.

Ancient Greeks were fishers, sailors, traders, Ancient Greeks were fishers, sailors, traders, and farmers.and farmers.

The rocky soil made it difficult to farm, The rocky soil made it difficult to farm, however, people could grow wheat, barley, however, people could grow wheat, barley, olives, and grapes in the favorable climate.olives, and grapes in the favorable climate.

The MinoansThe Minoans The geography of Greece influenced where The geography of Greece influenced where

people settled and what they did. Because of people settled and what they did. Because of their geographical location they were bound their geographical location they were bound to that area and learned to work to that area and learned to work independently from others. This independently from others. This independence led to segregation between independence led to segregation between city-states. city-states.

The Minoans were the first settlers of Greece, The Minoans were the first settlers of Greece, beginning around 2000 B.C. until about 1450 beginning around 2000 B.C. until about 1450 B.C.B.C.

The island of Crete, which lies southwest of The island of Crete, which lies southwest of the Greek mainland was the center of the the Greek mainland was the center of the Minoan civilization.Minoan civilization.

The Palace of KnossosThe Palace of Knossos

The Palace of Knossos (located on the island of Crete) was the The Palace of Knossos (located on the island of Crete) was the economic and political center of the Minoan civilization.economic and political center of the Minoan civilization.

The Throne RoomThe Throne Room

The palace had twisting passageways that led to many The palace had twisting passageways that led to many different rooms, including private quarters for the royal family.different rooms, including private quarters for the royal family.

A Covered Passageway in the A Covered Passageway in the PalacePalace

Ancient MinoansAncient Minoans•The Minoans made their wealth from trade.•They built ships from oak and sailed as far as Egypt.•The traded pottery and stone vases for ivory and metals.

Minoan LegendMinoan Legend

TheseusTheseus MinotaurMinotaur

Decline of the MinoansDecline of the Minoans

About 1450 B.C., the Minoan About 1450 B.C., the Minoan civilization suddenly collapsed.civilization suddenly collapsed.

Some historians think undersea Some historians think undersea earthquakes caused giant waves that earthquakes caused giant waves that washed away the Minoans’ cities.washed away the Minoans’ cities.

Others think the cities were destroyed Others think the cities were destroyed by a group of Greek invaders called by a group of Greek invaders called the Mycenaeans.the Mycenaeans.

The MycenaeansThe Mycenaeans

The Mycenaeans were from central Asia. They The Mycenaeans were from central Asia. They invaded the Greek mainland around 1900 B.C. invaded the Greek mainland around 1900 B.C. The kingdom lasted until about 1200 B.C. The kingdom lasted until about 1200 B.C.

They built the first Greek kingdoms and spread They built the first Greek kingdoms and spread their power across the Mediterranean region.their power across the Mediterranean region.

The Mycenaean leaders became the first Greek The Mycenaean leaders became the first Greek kings.kings.

The center of the Mycenaean kingdom was a The center of the Mycenaean kingdom was a fortified palace on a hill.fortified palace on a hill.

Lion Gate at MycenaeLion Gate at Mycenae

This was the entrance to the city

Mycenaean KingdomMycenaean Kingdom Beyond the palace walls lay large farms, or estates.Beyond the palace walls lay large farms, or estates. The palaces hummed with activity. Artisans tanned The palaces hummed with activity. Artisans tanned

leather, sewed clothes, and made jars for wine and leather, sewed clothes, and made jars for wine and olive oil.olive oil.

Government officials kept track of the wealth of Government officials kept track of the wealth of every person in the kingdom.every person in the kingdom.

Soon after Mycenaeans set up their kingdoms, Soon after Mycenaeans set up their kingdoms, Minoan traders began to visit from Crete. As a Minoan traders began to visit from Crete. As a result they learned a lot about each others culture. result they learned a lot about each others culture.

Around 1400 b.c., the Mycenaeans replaced the Around 1400 b.c., the Mycenaeans replaced the Minoans as the major power on the Mediterranean Minoans as the major power on the Mediterranean sea. sea.

While they became successful in trade they were While they became successful in trade they were most proud of their victory in the Trojan War. most proud of their victory in the Trojan War.

Mycenaean Legend:Mycenaean Legend:Trojan WarTrojan War

Collapse of the MycenaeansCollapse of the Mycenaeans By 1200 B.C. the Mycenaeans were in By 1200 B.C. the Mycenaeans were in

trouble.trouble. Earthquakes and fighting among the Earthquakes and fighting among the

kingdoms had destroyed their hilltop kingdoms had destroyed their hilltop forts.forts.

By 1100 B.C. the Mycenaean By 1100 B.C. the Mycenaean civilization collapsed.civilization collapsed.

Comparing and Contrasting Minoan and MycenaeanMycenaean

Minoans

•Settled on the island of Crete•Fishers, traders and sailors•Legend: Theseus and the Minotaur•Destroyed by tsunamis or invaders

•Settled on mainland of Greece•Artisans and sailors•Destroyed by earthquakes and fighting•Legend: Trojan War

Mycenaean

Mycenaean

Comparing and Contrasting Minoan and MycenaeanMycenaean

Minoans

Mycenaea

Mycenaea

nn

•Sailors•Destroyed by fighting•legends

Check for UnderstandingCheck for Understanding

What is a peninsula?What is a peninsula? What was the first civilization that What was the first civilization that

existed in Greece?existed in Greece? What were the two legends discussed What were the two legends discussed

today?today? What caused the end of the Minoan What caused the end of the Minoan

and Mycenaean civilizations?and Mycenaean civilizations?