The Rise of Ancient Greece Chapter 6 Section 1

Greece Greece is a country made up of islands and peninsulas Greece Greece is a country made up of islands and peninsulas. A peninsula is land surrounded by water on three sides.

The Minoans Minoan civilization began on the island of Crete, 2800BCE Grew grapes and olives and traded olive oil Built strong, fast ships and traded around the Mediterranean Sea By 2000 BCE, Crete was an important trading and sailing center of the Med. Sea: Minoans traded olives, olive oil, pottery, bronze, leather and jewelry Knossos was an important Minoan city The Minoans most likely had a strong navy protecting Crete Minoans worshipped many gods and built shrines to the gods on hilltops. *Hilltops were closer to the gods. Minoan civilization ended and Crete was taken over by the Mycenaeans around 1400 BCE

The Mycenaeans Came to Greece from southern Russia around 2000 BCE Mycenaeans traded olive oil, which made them rich Mycenaeans were great warriors Conquered other people to spread their power and gain wealth They often fought themselves Famous for winning the Trojan War around 1200 BCE Trojan War is described in two epic poems by Homer, The Iliad and The Odyssey

The Trojan Horse used by the Mycenaeans

The Greek Dark Ages 1100 BCE-750 BCE Few to no writings have survived to tell about this time in Greece Polis- Name for a Greek city state Acropolis- A fortified hill with a temple at the top in the center of the polis Agora- Market at the foot of the acropolis Citizen- Member of a polis who had the right to vote. Not everyone was a citizen.

City-States City-State- City with its own traditions, government and laws. An independent state All spoke Greek and worshipped Greek gods Average size was 10,000-20,000 people Only about half were citizens (men born in the city-state) Only citizens could vote, own property, work in government, and speak in court. Citizens were expected to take part in government and defend the city-state in time of war Aristocrats- Members of rich and powerful families. These land owners were the first rulers of city-states Tyrants- Rulers who seized power by force. They were supported by the middle class artisans and merchants

Birth of Democracy Democracy- Government where citizens govern themselves The first democracy developed in Athens Solon was given power by the aristocrats As leader, he created laws giving more rights and to citizens and less to aristocrats. Citizens could have a say in creating laws However, only males born in Athens who were not slaves were citizens.