CHAPTER 10: MEDITERRANEAN SOCIETY The Greek Phase…..
The Early Greeks The Minoans: arose on the island of Crete Center of Mediterranean sea trade from 2200-1450 BCE -traded wine, olive oil, and wool for grains, textiles, and manufactured goods
A sophisticated society: The Palace at Knossos -one of many palaces on Crete that also served as storehouse for taxes from cultivators Influenced by Egypt and the Phoenicians…what led to their decline?
A series of natural disasters Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tidal waves. Despite the weakening of Minoan society, they greatly influenced later civs…writing, culture etc
The Mycenaeans Indo-European immigrants who settled in Greece by 2000BCE Adapted Minoan Linear A into their scripts later to be known as Linear B Known for their stone fortresses
Expansion & Decline Helen of Troy….. Overpowered Minoan Society and expanded to Italy, Sicily, and Anatolia Helen of Troy….. The Trojan war led to a time of chaos and ruin in Greek world…a dark age.
Greek City-States: Geography shapes their lives The Land: they live around the sea Rugged mountainous terrain (approx. ¾ of land) leads to isolation and division Sea trade and travel important
The emergence of the Polis -polis = city-state -originally referred to a fortified site and evolved into political units of up to 20,000 people and surrounding land. Sparta begins to extend control during 8th & 7th centuries BCE -reduces neighboring peoples to helots (slave like, bound to land)
Athens v. Sparta Gov’t Democracy Oligarchy Citizens Society Women Males only, slaves had no rights Males o/30, conquered ppl helots…no rights Society Boys educated, music, poetry, rhetoric, military training for athletics Boys began military training at 7, army everything Women Subordinate to men, couldn’t own property, Stayed home Athletic, subordinate to men, could own property Trade & Travel Encouraged an extensive Limited, or not allowed
The glory of Athens Maritime trade brought prosperity Pericles most popular ruler, led them in a Golden Age Advances in art, architecture, philosophy, science, history, math, drama….etc….