Origins of Classical Western Society Who are the three ancient peoples that shaped Western society Who are the three ancient peoples that shaped Western society What are important contributions from each? What are important contributions from each? German -ic Peoples Later influence, with the Medieval period

SPICE S P I C E

Ancient Greece Bronze Age, Iron Age And the Dark Ages

Indo-European Invasion The first “Greeks” in Greece The first “Greeks” in Greece 2000 BCE 2000 BCE

How does Geography shape civilization? Sea Sea Land Land Climate Climate

How do we know? Archaeology Excavation: the unrepeatable experiment Excavation: the unrepeatable experiment “Archaeology is like reading a book, and after finishing each page, tearing it out and throwing it away.” -Dr Michael Cosmopoulos

Bronze Age 2000 – 1200BC Why is it called the Bronze age? Why is it called the Bronze age? Who were the Minoans? Who were the Minoans? Who were the Mycenaeans? Who were the Mycenaeans? “Iron Age” or the “Dark Age” Begins 1200BC –Dorians migrate south 1150 Illiterate but know heavy metal Illiterate but know heavy metal

? Minoans Mycenaean Dorian Where? When/Yrs? Reason for Decline? Significant Events, Characteristics?

Bronze Age 2000 – 1200BC Minoans Minoans –Island culture on Crete –Knossos Palace Plumbing Technology –Artistic: jewelry, murals –Traders –Linear A script Between : Minoans came to an abrupt end… Why?

Minoan throne room at Knossos, Crete

Who Were the Mycenaeans? BC BC –Peloponnesus –Warrior society – ruled by kings & aristocratic families Political Organization Political Organization Four-tiered Hierarchy –King’s Palace - Wanax –Regional administrative centers district capitals –Small agricultural villages –Farms Beehive Tomb

The Wanax: Agamemnon –Wealthy –Traded –Invaded –Mycenaeans declined c.1200BC as a result of a “people from the sea” ?

How do we know? Linear B

Kingdom of Pylos Pylos – the Kingdom of Nestor, the Wanax Pylos – the Kingdom of Nestor, the Wanax Messenia Messenia

Dorians in the Iron Age: BC WHY is this period also called a Dark Age? WHY is this period also called a Dark Age? Invaders from the northeastern mtns Invaders from the northeastern mtns Iron developers Iron developers Drove out most southern tribes to islands Drove out most southern tribes to islands –Except Ionians of Attica, Ancestors of Athenians Dominated Peloponnesian peninsula, and much mainland Dominated Peloponnesian peninsula, and much mainland –Ancestors of Spartans !!!!!!! Began Olympic Games in Olympia, 776BC Began Olympic Games in Olympia, 776BC

Homer - circa 800BC Dorian Dorian Epics in oral tradition: Iliad, Odyssey Epics in oral tradition: Iliad, Odyssey –Iliad : Trojan War (c1200) –Odyssey: the journey home –Hector v. Achilles: individuals battle What is the reason for myth? What is the reason for myth? Arete Arete

How is ancient Greek religion different from Egyptian? Zeus Zeus Few if any lifelong powerful priestly caste Few if any lifelong powerful priestly caste Religion linked to govt Religion linked to govt

Bibliography Images. main.htm (Sept 8, 06). Images. main.htm (Sept 8, 06). main.htm main.htm