Early Greece Greek History from the Minoans to the Trojan War

Geography Smaller area Mountains and the Sea Isolation along the Peninsula Peloponnesus

Minoan Civilization Bronze Age civilization Named after King Minos

Minoan remains

Knossos Capital of Minoan civilization Remains revealed a rich and prosperous culture. Remains illustrated a trading society with few military fortifications. Made contact with Greek mainland and Egypt. Egyptian influence was heavy.

Height of Minoans About BCE Wrote in an undeciphered language called Linear A. Elaborate frescoes with bright colors demonstrating a love nature. Taxes paid to the king in wine and oil

Fall of Minoans Shrouded in mystery Earthquake/Tsunami? War with Mycenae?

Mycenaean Greeks Name derived from a fortified site excavated by Heinrich Schliemann. Center of their civilization. Part of Indo- European Groups

Mycenae Fortified walls Treasury Society based on war Led by Warrior aristocracy

Mycenaens tradition of War: *Very evident in their art *Heroic time in Ancient Greece

The Legendary Trojan War: *One of our most enduring myths *Epitomizes Ancient Greece

How the war began? *Cornerstone of Greek Mythology *Oral traditions

Image of Helen and Paris

Players in the Trojan War? Achilles Hector Agamemnon Ajax Menelaus Zeus Paris Helen Athena Aphrodite Hera

The Kidnap of Helen:

Mycenaean decline Unknown at the present Likely attributed to internecine warfare Also probable was invasion by “Dorian Greeks” Collapsed by 1100 BCE

Greek Dark Ages Farming and learning collapse Greeks migrating throughout region B.C.E Writings of Homer Trojan War Historical Homer and its pitfalls.

Contributions of Homer? *Illiad *Odyssey

Iliad and Odyssey Iliad a narrative on Achilles and how his wrath led to disaster. Odyssey: epic romance that recounts the journey home of Odysseus after the fall of Troy.