Greece part 1
- 2. 3 Major Periods of Ancient Greek Civilization 1. Early Civilizations: Minoans (Crete) and Mycenae (mi se ne) 2. Classical Greece (flourishing of arts, literature, philosophy; domination by Sparta and Athens) 3. Hellenistic Age: Macedonia Empire and Alexander the Great
- 3. What are the characteristics of Ancient Greece’s geography?
- 4. Geographic Features 1. Sea: heavy influence on physical environment of Greece (Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea) 2. Mountains (with narrow valleys): cover more than ¾ of Greece’s surface area and islands: more than 2000 islands (Crete being the largest) 3. No major rivers on Greek mainland but fertile soil 4. Climate: winter= mild climate; summer= hot climate with rainfall from October to March = long growing season
- 5. RESOURCES • grain • fine cheese made of goat’s milk • timber • wild game • wool of sheep = cloth MOST IMPORTANT CROPS • olives = oil • grapes = wine • grain • clay = pottery
- 6. Effects of Geography • Seafaring tradition: reliance on navy and fleets for power and protection • sea provided link to trade and cultural exchange with Mediterranean communities • Isolationism: protection but lack of effective communication • Greece was organized into polis (independent city states) separated by seas and rugged mountains • Emergence of dominant city states (Athens, Sparta)
- 7. Greek Myths FUNCTIONS • Explained the world • Means of Exploration • Provided authority and legitimacy • Entertainment
- 8. Early Greeks: The Minoans c. 3200 -1100 BCE • Lived on island of Crete • Great navigators and farmers • Developed Linear A • Palace led political, social and economic organization at Knossos • Artistic expressions and grand construction • Advancements in bronze • Built sanctuaries
- 9. Palace of Minos at Knossos (K-NOSS-oss) •Knossos-most powerful monarch for Minoans •Palaces controlled all agricultural goods and products by storing in large storerooms •Palaces became the centres of exchange for Minoan economy •Palaces had dozens of interconnecting rectangular rooms on two or more storeys which were grouped around a large open courtyard (administrative and religious)
- 10. • Art work (drawings, murals or frescoes) at Knossos shows dangerous sports such as leaping over the backs of charging bulls as well as dancing, athletics and festivals
- 11. Myth of the Minotaur • Minoan Myth of King Minos at Knossos • Theseus defeats the Minotaur (half man half bull) and escapes from the maze like structure called the labyrinth, saving the youth of Athens
- 12. THEORIES FOR DECLINE OF MINOANS • 1750 BCE- earthquake destroys Minoan palaces • 1628 BCE- volcano erupts at Thera • 1400 BCE- War between Minoans and Myceaneans led to decline of power
- 13. Enter the Mycenaeans c. 1700 – 600 BCE • 1490 BCE- Minoan palaces had been rebuilt however all were destroyed except at Knossos by Mycenaean warriors • Mycenaeans took control of Crete at Knossos by 1500 BCE • Myceneans controlled mainland Greece = main political centre was Mycenae • More interested in war as pottery and grave sites reflect hunting, weapons, armour and war as well as fortified palace walls • Developed Linear B • Slowly Minoan culture and traditions disappeared
- 14. THEORIES FOR DECLINE OF MYCEANEANS • Shift in climate leading to drought forcing Myceanans to migrate to more fertile lands • Tribe of nomadic warriors from north of Greece (Dorians) destroyed Mycenaeans
- 15. Trojan War • Was the Trojan War a real historical event or merely a legend in Mycenaean history?
- 16. Trojan War • Two epic poems by Homer “Iliad” and “Odyssey” describe the Trojan War • Approximately 1194-1184 BCE • Greeks vs Troy • Helen of Sparta + Paris of Troy “the face that launched a thousand ships” • Achilles, Odysseus, Hector, Agamemnon and the Trojan Horse • Archaeologist- Heinrich Schliemann (claims that he found Troy and the early Greek civilization of Myceaneans)