NY State Learning Standards 2, 3 Aim: How much did geography influence the early civilizations of the Mediterranean? Do Now: What do you know about Greece? What would you like to know? NY State Learning Standards 2, 3 Common Core RS 1, 2, 7, WS 2

I The Phoenicians The Phoenicians were skilled seafarers who founded colonies all across the Mediterranean. Famous for their purple dyed textiles (fabric). D) Created the first known alphabet!

Phoenicians Continued… According to the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, the Phoenicians had sailed around all of Africa in 600 BCE, over 2000 years before European explorers like Columbus! In August 2009 the Phoenician Ship Expedition Project launched a replica Phoenician ship from Syria, with the goal to sail completely around Africa by way of the Red Sea. In Oct 2010, the ship had made it!

Phoenician Alphabet The Phoenician alphabet was based on Egyptian hieroglyphics! As traders, the Phoenicians needed a simpler writing system to do business. Unlike hieroglyphics, the symbols of the alphabet only represent sounds.

II Geography of Greece A) Modern day Greece is part of the Balkan Peninsula B) Mountains divide the peninsula into isolated valleys C) The southernmost part of mainland Greece is called the Peloponnesus

How do you think Greece’s rugged mountains affected their civilization?

Greece Geography Continued… D) Crete is the largest island in Greece E) Only 20% of land in ancient Greece was suitable for farming. Grew olives, grapes and figs. Herded sheep.

Greek Geography Continued… A traditional olive oil press

The Minoan Palace at Knossos, Crete III The Minoans 1750 – 1500 BCE A) The Minoans created a civilization on the island of Crete. B) The Palace at Knossos had plumbing and toilets! C) The Minoans were the first Greek civilization to become skilled seafarers. The Minoan Palace at Knossos, Crete

The Minoans Continued… Underneath these Minoan toilets is a sewer system to flush out waste. A room inside the Palace at Knossos with a painted mural of dolphins.

The Minoans Continued… D) The Minoans were polytheistic.

The Minoans Continued… E) Developed a written language (Linear A). It has not yet been deciphered. F) By 1450 BCE the Minoan civilization declined. Linear A

IV The Mycenaeans 1600 – 1200 BCE The Mycenaeans conquered the Minoans and mainland Greece. Developed Linear B, the first true Greek language. Linear B

Myceneans Continued… Heinrich Schliemann “In the Greek poem The Iliad, Prince Paris of Troy steals the beautiful Helen, of Greece, from her husband, King Menelaus. The act brings the two nations to war, and eventually Greeks led by the warrior Achilles lay siege to Troy. The poet Homer probably wrote the epic poem [long poem] in the 8th or 9th century, B.C., several hundred years after the war is supposed to have taken place. Much of it is no doubt fantasy… But most scholars agree that Troy itself was a real city, and that the Trojan War happened… Eager to find Troy, Schliemann blasted his way down… [most likely destroying the actual Troy of the story! Stefan Lovgren National Geographic 2004

Mycenaean Death Masks These masks were made of gold and were placed on the faces of deceased royals.

V The Dark Age of Greece By 1100 BCE Greece entered a Dark Age. The population decreased, people abandoned the cities, and almost no written records exist for this time. By 950 BCE the Greeks adopted the Phoenician alphabet. People began to settle by an acropolis (high hill) for protection. As Greece emerged from its Dark Age, city-states such as Athens and Sparta rose to power.

Summary Questions How did geography affect the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean? 2. What were the main achievements of the Phoenicians? 3. What were the main achievements of the Minoans? 4. What were the main achievements of the Mycenaeans? 5. What was the Greek Dark Age? Why might it have happened? How do we know Greece emerged from it?

Key Vocabulary Acropolis Mediterranean Sea Archipelago Minoans Asia Minor Mycenaean Crete Peloponnesus Greek Dark Age Phoenician alphabet Homer Phoenicians Iliad and the Odyssey Linear A Linear B