Early Civilizations of the Mediterranean Subtitle

Greek Origins The origins of Greek culture lies in two earlier civilizations and period of city-states Minoans Mycenaean's Age of City-states Athens (Golden Age) Sparta Many others Hellenistic Era (350 – 200 BCE) Alexander unites Greece and conquers Egypt, Persia and N. India In 2nd century BCE Roman Empire conquers Greece

Minoan Civilization (2000 BCE -1500 BCE) Based on the island of Crete Ends abruptly due to invasion or natural disaster Economics: Fishing, agriculture Extensive trade network through the Med. (pottery found throughout the Med) Traded with the early Greeks and Egyptians. Politics: Ruled by a king (monarchy) Legendary king Minos is the most famous Minoan king The civilization was named after him

Minoan Continued Culture: Society: Built roads, temples, and lavish palaces Bronze metallurgy Writing system called Linear A (not deciphered) Polytheistic: worshiped the fertility goddess (snake/ fertility goddess may be origin on Medusa) Society: Typical Social Hierarchy of ruler then nobles then rich then traders then peasants, women and slaves Women regarded as important; given more freedom than many other early civilizations

Mycenaeans (1600-1200 BCE) Social - typical patriarchic society.  Ruler then nobles, then merchants, then farmers then slaves.  Women had less rights than the Minoan Civilization. Culture and legacy - Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad, great metal workers, arch for the first time in Europe Trojan War and the Trojan Horse Famous for the Lion’s Gate and the Mask of Agamemnon Earliest civilization based on mainland Greece Politics - Warlike absolutist kings over various city states conquered Minoans.  Colonized along Persian coast Economy – sailors, farmers, merchants Religion – polytheist Greek mythology

Phoenicians (900- 202 BCE) Legacy: Centered in modern day Lebanon Around 900 they began to move westward across the Med. Greeks called them “red men” Known for creating a red-purple dye from glands of a snail Major trade networks that established colonies throughout the Med. Ex. Carthage Legacy: Alphabet: Consisted on 22 consonants No pictorial symbols Depicted only sounds Ancestor of the Roman alphabet