What do you know about ancient Greece and its culture? What interests you and what do you want to learn about ancient Greece? What have we gotten from the ancient Greek culture?

 Thank you Greece…

 Geographic Features  Land – mountains and rocky terrain. Poor soil quality. Small fertile valleys.  Water – few navigable rivers, almost completely surrounded by the sea. Many islands  Climate - Short winters, rarely below freezing. Hot, dry summers.

 How would the climate and terrain of Greece influence the development of its culture?  How would the geography of Greece influence the development of its culture?

 City-States – is a region controlled exclusively by a city. City-states were common in the ancient period. A city state was sovereign, although many cities were joined in formal or informal leagues under a high king. Many were formed under peaceful alliances or for mutual protection.

 Minoans – 2000 B.C. – 1400 B.C.  One of the earliest European Civilizations.  Settled in Crete.  Little or no evidence of military.  Very efficient bureaucrats.  Named for King Minos. Good soil and isolation from warring tribes Population Growth Settling neighboring islands Trade and exportation of culture

 Mycenaeans – 1600 B.C. – 1200 B.C.  Settled the Greek mainland  Families and tribes organized around a patriarch or chief  Extremely war-like people

 Mycenaeans destroyed the ancient city of Troy  King Agamemnon  Epic Poems of Homer – Iliad & Odyssey  Weakened by war and internal conflict, they are susceptible to invasion  Civilization collapsed causing a dark age in Greece which we know very little about

Timeline: 1800 B.C. Minoans settle Crete 1600 B.C. Mycenaean civilization begins on Greek mainland 1400 B.C. Minoan civilization collapses and Mycenaeans settle Crete 1200 B.C. Mycenaean civilization descends into a dark age 800 B.C. The Greek Civilization emerges with successful City- States

 Food  Olive & olive oil  Fish  Flatbread  Lamb & goat  Cheese  Grapes & wine  Figs  Honey

 Women  Usually worked inside the home  No part in government  Girls were educated & learned to read and write  Traditional roles

 Men  Generally educated  Controlled government  Trained for battle  Worked outside the home  Farming  Trade  Manufacturing  Mining

 Slaves  Unwanted children could be sold as slaves  Defeated and captured enemies could be slaves  Menial jobs or hard labor  Children  Mostly educated  Regarded no differently than adults  Typical family in Greece was thought to have 5 children

 Economy  Barter system  Standard coins & money  Trade with Turkey, Egypt, Spain, Italy,  Colonies supplied Greece with raw materials & food  Greece supplied finished products, pottery, olives & olive oil, & wine.