Classical Greece

Map: page 112

I.Geography's Effect on Culture: 1. Seas: Mediterranean Sea, Aegean Sea and Ionian Sea.

A.Skilled sailors used the seas as highways B. Trade was important to Greece because region lacked many resources ex., wood and precious metals

2.Rugged land- mountains make up ¾ of the land A. Mountains separated people politically —no unity

Polis's: Greek City-States B.Created small, independent communities

C. 20 % of land was suitable for farming therefore Greece could not support a large population. TERRACE FARMING!

3.Climate 48ºF in winter/80º F in summer A. This climate supported an outdoor life.

II.Mycenaean's: settle Greece around 2,000 B.C. 1. Mycenaean culture was the basis for Greek civilization ex. Religious practices, art, politics, literature

III.Dorians: Mycenaean civilization eventually collapses and the Dorians moved into Greece

1. Greek civilization experiences a period of decline under the Dorians ex., NO written language— therefore Dorians relied on storytelling

2.Homer—blind man who was famous storyteller A. Epics— narrative poems celebrating heroic deeds

B.Epics of Homer— The Iliad and The Odyssey

C.Myths—traditional stories—told by Greeks about their gods/goddesses a. Greeks used these stories to understand the mysteries of nature and the powers of human passion.

b. Gods had human emotions but lived forever. Zeus

Geographic Features Effects Sea Land Climate

SpartaBothAthens 6 bullets 2 bullets 6 bullets

Sparta

Athens