2. Overview of Greece
• Physical Setting
– Northeast End of the Mediterranean
– Consists of Small Peninsulas
– Geography
• Short mountain ranges cut through mainland
• Separate communities
• Prevents Unity among Greeks
– No clear river system
• No unifying meeting place
• Prevents Unity
– Mild climate, good soil, sufficient rainfall
• Farmers can grow grain, grapes, olives
• Sheeps, Goats raised in mountains
• Not enough to live on
3.
4. The Importance of Geography
• Geography encourages trade
– Long coastline allows all of mainland to be
near sea
– Islands surrounding have many good
harbors
• Question: What types of occupations
might Greek citizens develop?
– (Farmers, fishermen, sailors, traders,
explorers)
5.
6. The Predecessors of the Greeks
• The Minoans
– Existed on Crete before Greek Civilization
– Legendary in Greek culture, verified in 1900 AD
• Archaeologists discover Knossos (palace of King Minos)
• Ruins, artifacts discovered since back up finding
• Characteristics
– Writing: “Linear A” (Not been deciphered yet), “Linear B” (early
form of Greek)
• Well established by 2000 BC
– Art: created Frescoes (Wall paintings on plaster)
• Dominated the Aegean Islands
– 1500 BC: Volcano destroys much of Minoan civilization
7. The Palace of King Minos
King Minos’ palace:
built as a labyrinth
legendary home of the Minotaur
10. The Mycenaeans
• 2000 BC: Groups from the North (Indo-
European)
• Culture develops around 1600 BC-1200
BC
• Warlike group, conquered other areas
• Conquered Crete, adopted much of
Minoan civilization
• 1200 BC: Earthquakes destroy much of
civilization
11. The palace in
Mycenae was
surrounded by
massive walls
with a huge
gateway called
the Lion Gate
12. Mycenaen Civilization
• Palaces in the city of Mycenae
– served as the centers for government and
economy
• Government
– Role of Tax collectors:
• kept track of the wealth of the people living in the
kingdom
• collected taxes on: wheat, livestock, honey etc.
13. Mycenaen Civilization
• Economy
– tanned leather, sewed clothes, made jars for
honey and olive oil, created bronze shields
etc.
• What did they learn from the Minoans?
– used Minoan architecture as a model for their
palaces
– Metalworking--------shipbuilding
– navigation------lead by the sun and stars
– Religion- worshipped Earth Mother
14. Mycenaen Civilization
• Why does the civilization come to an end?
– Two Theories:
1. Infighting amongst the kingdoms
2. Invasion by the Dorians
15. Dorians
• Came in armed with iron weapons
• called the “dark age”:
– Why?
• Trade ended, poverty increased, literacy declined
• refugees fled to Ionia
• 750 B.C.- reintroduced culture, crafts, etc.
• Founding of Hellenic Civilization
– 700’s B.C.- 350 B.C.
