The Geography and Early People of Ancient Greece

The Geography of Greece Greece is very mountainous Separated the different city-states from one another Had many peninsulas 2 main ones Peloponnesus Balkan Had many different waterways Seas Straits Islands Harbors

The Geography of Greece Europe Black Sea Dardanelles Strait that connects Aegean Sea to the Black Sea Strait- thin area of water connecting two other waterways Macedonia Asia Minor/ Anatolia Mediterranean Sea

Greek Geography Information Greece was ¾ covered in mountains Left little land for regular farming Forced to grow/harvest other products; Olives, grapes, seafood, etc. Mountains force Greeks to use seas Increased their sailing abilities Increased their necessity to trade by sea Travel to areas like Italy, Egypt, Phoenicia

Effect of Geography on Greece Effected Greece economically Limited farmable (arable) land for crops Forces them to depend on the seas Also forces them to colonize other lands to farm Effected Greece socially All were Greek, but they were not unified Saw themselves as separate peoples Spartans, Athenians, Ionians, Mycenaeans Mountains separated each different group Effected Greece politically Each area created its own rules, gov’t and citizenship Government styles of the time include; Monarchy, Tyranny, Democracy, Oligarchy

Governing the City-States Between 750 B.C. and 500 B.C., the Greeks evolved different forms of government. At first, the ruler was a king. A government in which a king or queen exercises central power is called a monarchy. OwlTeacher.com

Slowly, power shifted to a class of noble landowners. At first, the nobles defended the king, but in time, they won power for themselves. A government ruled by a landholding elite is called an aristocracy. OwlTeacher.com

As trade expanded, a new class of wealthy merchants, farmers, and artisans came to dominate some city-states. A government in which power is in the hands of a small, powerful elite, usually from the business class, is called an oligarchy. . OwlTeacher.com

Tyrant Tyrant, Greek tyrannos, a cruel and oppressive ruler or, in ancient Greece, a ruler who seized power unconstitutionally or inherited such power 1. How might the development of city-states cause rivalries within the same country?

The Minoans The Minoans established a brilliant early civilization on the island of Crete. The Minoans traded with Egypt and Mesopotamia. They acquired ideas and technology that they adapted to their own culture. The Minoans helped to shape the first Greek civilization. OwlTeacher.com

The Epics of Homer “Every man make up his mind to fight And move on his enemy! Strong as I am, It’s hard for me to face so many men And fight with all at once. . . . And yet I will!” Homer, Iliad The Iliad and the Odyssey reveal many of the values of ancient Greeks. Homer’s heroes display honor, courage, and eloquence. The epics of Homer have been inspiring writers for almost 3,000 years. Katfish Rules OwlTeacher.com

Early People of Greece Indo-Europeans spread into Greece Mycenaeans settled around 2000BC Name came from city- Mycenae Mycenae included city of Athens Ruled by kings (known as a monarchy) Mycenaeans fight Troy in Trojan War Fought over Helen of Troy Mycenaeans win when they use the Trojan Horse Dorians move into area after Mycenaeans Following the Dorians, Greek broke into city-states

Homer and the Illiad & Odyssey Homer – famous writer of epic poems Thought to have been blind One of the most famous writers in history Writes the Illiad and the Odyssey Tells the stories of the travels of characters to and from the Trojan War Incorporates numerous gods and goddesses Showed the incorporation of Greek mythology into the daily lives of the Greek people

Greek Religion and Mythology Greek religion was polytheistic and practiced by all Greeks Greek mythology had 3 purposes Explaining natural phenomena Storms, thunder, lightning etc. happening in nature Explaining human qualities Speed, knowledge, strength, sight, etc. Explaining life events Births, deaths, marriages, etc. Symbols and representations of gods spread to Rome and can still be seen today in everyday life

Early Cities of Greece Early Cities of Greece Early Greek cities focused on two ideas Promoting civic participation Getting people involved in the decisions of the city Promoting a commercial (business) life Getting people to trade products and ideas Greek city-states known as the polis Polis- was a city and surrounding countryside Example- Washington DC and its suburbs Agora- city center- like a business district Acropolis- fortified (protected) area of city Not all cities had these Some cities built their agora in their acropolis

Uses of areas of the Greek Polis The Agora Used for discussion and trade Men would meet for food, clothes, ideas Women were rarely seen in the agora The Acropolis Used for protection and a sign of power Made it easy to see oncoming attackers Provided a place for royalty, women and children to hide during times of war

Early City-states Examples of agoras Athens agora (L) Destroyed agora (R) Early City-states

Modern Example of a Polis CITY CENTER (AGORA) Could be acropolis AND agora, doesn’t have to though All Blue area and Agora makes up POLIS Surrounding Land (COUNTRYSIDE)

Processing- Find the Polis Locate the 2 areas that would be considered a polis. How can you tell?

The Famous Athenian Acropolis A fortified hilltop for protection Walls are actually the mountain its located on (marble)

Ancient Greek Society Early Greek society was broken into two groups Free people Adult males; usually wealthy and landowners Considered to be citizens w/ rights and responsibility for civic participation in the city-state Slaves Not based on race/color Had no political rights and were the property of the wealthy Women and foreigners have no political rights Women rarely seen in Greek public life

Daily Life in Greece Daily life very different for men, women & slaves For Men – life based around the agora Expected to participate in conversation of the city Expected to serve in military and be educated For women – life based in the home Not expected to be educated Expected to stay in the home and tend to children For Slaves – life based on doing daily chores Expected to run the errands of the home Expected to protect the family while men are away

Forms of Government Many different ways to govern a city-state Monarchy – ruling by a king or queen (usually king) 1st way most Greek city states were ruled Aristocracy – rule by small group of wealthy land owners Usually gained power and land from a former king Oligarchy – rule by a few powerful people Usually military leaders or a person with a strong army Tyranny – rule by one very powerful person Usually came to power by appealing to the poor and starting a revolution against the rich