Geography & Early People of Greece

Geography Peninsula in Southern Europe Greece is located on the Balkan Land covered with mountains(Pindus Range)    cover ¾ of Greek mainland protected and isolated limited contact between communities effect: Greece never unites w/ one govt.

Geography natural harbors no place more than 50 miles from the coast effect: many make living from the seas

Geography some fertile land mild climate (not hot like Egypt) effect: some farming(barley wheat grapes and olives), but Greeks will look for more land and will set up colonies people raised sheep and goats mild climate (not hot like Egypt) effect: people spend time outside and socialize

Minoans lived on Crete, traded in Mediterranean           region between 2500 and 1500 BC British archaeologist Arthur Evans (1893) Believed to have come from western Asia…not actually Greek Legend of King Minos

Minoan Civilization 3000 – 1100 BC This civilization was developing on the island of Crete while Egypt and Mesopotamia were flourishing This civilization was named after legendary King Minos, whose father was said to be Zeus

Minoans known for labyrinth palace at Knossos frescoes show scenes of Minoan life and religion Relates to story of Theseus and the Minotar

Minoan fresco

Minoan fresco

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Another Image                                                                                         

Minoan fresco

Decline of Civilization Minoan trade dominated eastern Mediterranean until about 1380 BC Something happened, maybe a volcanic eruption or other natural disaster Culture was further weakened by Mycenaean attacks and influences between 1400 and 1100 BC

Mycenaeans perhaps came from central Asia intermarried w/ natives on mainland set up kingdoms around hilltop fortresses

Mycenaeans adopted Minoan customs said to have fought in legendary Trojan War Heinrich Schliemann – German archaeologist who discovered Troy

Trojan Horse

Dorians invaded Greece from the north Mycenaeans weakened by infighting Dorians easily won using iron weapons

Dorians Dorian period known as a “dark age” refugees fled to Ionia (west coast of Asia Minor) Ionians gradually come back, reintroduce culture