The Geography of Greece The Land and Its People

Location

Physical Geography

Physical Geography Very mountainous 75% covered in mountains Difficult to cultivate Small farms, vineyards, olive groves flourish In ancient times, land was said to be stripped of trees Soil overused Erosion

Physical Geography Surrounded by seas Important for communication, trade, military, food, mythology Due to rugged interior, best to travel by sea Made trade easier Could get what they could not grow Increased flow of ideas in and out

Climate Mediterranean climate Low rainfall, hot summers War/cool winters Windy coast Good climate for longevity of life Many outdoor activities Art of conversation and debate Average citizen took great interest in civic affairs

The Hellenes (aka Greeks) The Greeks of Classical times called themselves the “Hellenes” and their country was Hellas

Impact of Geography on Culture Cut off by the mountains and the seas ISOLATED! Formation of city-states (polis) – NO central gov’t Limited interaction and unity; religion and language in common Created fierce rivalries

Greek City States

Importance of the Seas Sea became a vital link Hundreds of bays to provide safe harbours Skilled sailors Traded olive oil, wine, marble Returned with grains, metals, ideas Adopted Phoenician alphabet Became basis for all Western alphabets

Trade Routes

So what did the Greeks do? Remember… They are isolated They have nice weather They like rivalries

Went to War Trojan Persian Peloponnesian 13th or 12th Century BCE Versus Peloponnesian League led by Sparta

Developed Great Thinkers Homer, Socrates, Plato (philosophers) Herodotus (father of history) Archimedes (Archimedes screw)

Built Temples

Wrote Poetry and Dramas Tragedy Sophocles Euripides Comedy Aristophanes Performed outside with little scenery Stadium seating

Athens Birthplace of democracy Location of the Parthenon Temple dedicated to Athena Goddess of war, civilization, wisdom, strength, strategy, crafts, justice, skill

Sparta Warrior State

Olympus Home of the Greek gods (led by Zeus)

Olympia Home to the Olympics

Delphi Home to the Oracle of Delphi Oracle breathed fumes from a crack in the rock and once high, she could tell the future Prophecies came first from Gia (mother earth) and then Apollo

Mycenae Home of King Agamemnon Leader of Greeks in the war against Troy

Knossos Theseus and the Minotaur Centre of Minoan civilization

Troy Trojan War

Corinth On the isthmus of Corinth – the narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnesus to mainland Greece Rivaled Athens and Thebes in wealth Major trade and commerce centre

Thebes Major rival of Athens Most dominant city-state when Alexander and the Macedonians conquered Greece