Ancient Greece developed between 2000 BCE and 1000 BCE. The geography of Greece, with its mountain ranges, peninsulas and lack of rivers, prevented unity but encouraged trade and seafaring occupations. The Minoans on Crete were early predecessors, with a sophisticated civilization centered around the palace of King Minos. The Mycenaeans later conquered Crete and the Aegean, ruling from fortified palaces like Mycenae. Their civilization declined around 1200 BCE, possibly due to invasions by the Dorians or internal conflicts, ushering in a "Dark Age" for Greece.
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.