Birthplace to democracy Ancient Greece Birthplace to democracy

Vocabulary Peninsula: an area of a country surrounded by the sea on all sides but one Polis: Greek word for city and the root word in politics and metropolis Colony: a territory settled and controlled by a parent state

Cities and Colonies Greek civilization develops around 800 bce and reaches it’s golden age around 500 bce Greece is bordered by the Mediterranean and Aegean seas It is covered with mountain ranges, steep hills, and deep valleys Fresh water is scarce and only a few rivers permit transportation and irrigation This lead to the development of independent city-states

Agriculture Despite poor soil the inhabitants of Greece harvested grains such as wheat and barley They also cultivated grapevines and olive trees They also raised small livestock such as goats and sheep The Greeks had to turn to the sea to prosper as they could not produce enough resources

Economy As of the 8th century BCE the Greeks started to create polis in the valleys The two major polis were Athens and Sparta However the peninsula’s rough terrain hindered Greece’s growth So from the 8th to the 6th centuries BCE the Greeks established colonies and trading posts all around the Mediterranean sea and the Black Sea These colonies satisfied the food needs of the polis and assured opportunity for trade This allowed people to develop crafts and Trade

Expansion As they grow they strengthen their Naval forces This increases ports and their wealth By the 5th century Greece's sea and trade power dominate the Mediterranean Athens is in full expansion