Greece: Geography and Early Civilizations

I. Geography A. The physical geography of the Aegean Basin shaped the economic, social, and political development of Greek civilization. 1. Due to limited arable land, Greeks looked to the sea for their livelihood

I. Geography Notice the mountainous land of Greece made farming difficult, thus the Greeks became sailors and traded goods throughout the Mediterranean Sea. They often traded with Egyptians, Phoenicians, and civilizations in Mesopotamia.

I. Geography B. The expansion of Greek civilization, through trade and colonization, led to the spread of Hellenic culture across the Mediterranean and Black seas.

II. The Minoans (2000 BC – 1628 BC) A. The earliest known Greek Civilization 1. Developed on the island of Crete 2. Named after their great king named Minos a. His palace was located in the city of Knossos b. Artists covered the palace walls with frescos, which are paintings on wet plaster walls

II. The Minoans (2000 BC – 1628 BC) A. The earliest known Greek Civilization The Minoan Civilization was located on the island of Crete. The Minoans became expert sailors and traders.

II. The Minoans (2000 BC – 1628 BC) A. Minoan Capital: Knossos

II. The Minoans (2000 BC – 1628 BC) B. Economy 1. Many citizens were sailors and traders a. Set up trading posts on islands in the Aegean Sea and in Asia Minor

II. The Minoans (2000 BC – 1628 BC) B. Economy

II. The Minoans (2000 BC – 1628 BC) C. Decline 1. In 1628 BC a volcano erupted on a nearby island and tidal waves caused by this eruption destroyed many coastal settlements on Crete. 2. Remaining settlements conquered by the Mycenaeans by 1400 BC.