Geography of Greece By Mark Spiconardi

Geography of Greece Based on these maps, what are two things we know about Greece’s geography? –Surrounded by the sea –Mostly mountainous

Mountainous Terrain Mountains cover 75% of Greece Difficult to unite of all Greece –Hard to communicate –Travel was difficult Small independent and culturally diverse city-states form –Polis  Greek city-state (Athens, Sparta, Corinth)

Mountainous Terrain Only 20% of the land is arable –Arable  Land that is suitable for farming Not enough food to support a large population Crops included grain, grapes, and olives –How would Greece have to support its growing populations? Answer: Expand & Colonize other territories

The Sea Greece is a both a peninsula and an archipelago –Archipelago  series of islands Surrounded by the Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas –Almost all settlements within 85 miles of the coast Relied on sea for transportation & food Irregular coastline makes Greece ideal for trading posts

History & Origins of the Greeks The Minoans –Earliest Greek culture (2800 BCE) –Location: Crete –Thalossocracy  “Sea power” Dominated the region through trade –Never governed mainland Greece »But culture heavily influences development of Greece

History & Origins of the Greeks Snake Goddess Sign of fertility (particularly in Egypt) Chief deity –Matriarchal? Knossus –Frescoes Bull Jumping –Labyrinth Myth Place was designed like a labyrinth Evidence of human sacrifice The Minoans

History & Origins of the Greeks Mycenaeans –Location: Mycenae (Southern Greece) City was protected by a citadel w/20-foot thick wall –Government From Mycenae, a warrior-king controlled the surrounding villages including Athens

The Citadel of Mycenae

History & Origins of the Greeks Mycenaens –Contact with the Minoans (c BCE) Developed seafaring trade Adapted Minoan writing to Greek language Laid foundations for Greek religion, art, and literature Trojan War –Evidence suggest a real war between Greece & the independent Anatolian city of Troy took place Exact nature of war is unknown

History & Origins of the Greeks The Dorians –The Dorian Invasion (1100 – 950 BCE) Location: North of Mt. Olympus (modern Macedonia They pillaged their way down to Peloponnesus and took over Mycenae –Government Organized in tribes Ruled by kings and aristocratic councils

History & Origins of the Greeks The Dark Ages –Dorians were not as advanced as the Mycenaeans –Written records disappear until 750 BCE Little is known about Greek history from BCE, hence the Dark Ages “Black” Athens? –Historian Martin Bernal argues that the influence of Egypt on Greek culture has been underestimated In turn, the role of Africa in the development of Western culture has been ignored