ANCIENT GREECE

RAP: Around which sea did Greek civilization develop?

Geography of Ancient Greece

How did the geographic features of Greece influence its civilization?

The Sea The Land The Climate

The Sea The Greeks were seafaring people who traveled mostly by boat. Water ways were links between the Greeks and other societies. These links allowed trade between these societies.

The Land Mountains broke Greece into regions making travel difficult and political unity nearly impossible. Irrigation was poor due to small streams instead of large rivers. Agriculture was lacking and could not support large civilization.

The Climate Greece has a Mediterranean climate characterized by moderate temperatures. Due to the nice weather, people did many activities outdoors. Men spent leisure time at the agora, gymnasium, or theatre.

Early Greeks: Minoans, Mycenaeans, Dorians

Minoans: On Crete, 2000-1400 B.C. Influenced Mycenaeans in writing, art, and legends Sea traders

Mycenaeans: 2000 B.C. Warrior-kings led lives of luxury Invaded Crete (Minoans) Trojan War

Dorians: Moved into Mycenae area (around 1100-1000 BCE) Less advanced Dark Ages: no written history for 400 years Oral tradition and Storytelling

Homer: Greatest storyteller,blind bard Epics: narrative poems celebrating heroic deeds The Iliad and The Odyssey Arete

Map Ancient Greece using your textbook.

Label: *Greece *Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Crete, Mycenae *and the Aegean, Ionian, Black, and Mediterranean Seas

Greece Geography Cause and Effect

Cause Effect Greeks became sailors and traded with other lands. Greek civilization grew around the sea.

Cause Effect Greece mainland is divided by mountains. Greeks live in independent communities.

Cause Effect Greeks had no large-scale irrigation and few crops. There are no large river valleys.