Mediterranean Sea

Something New Greece made the decision to secede from Persia through public debate & actually voting –Other civilizations (Egypt, Persia, China, etc…) had autocratic rulers (Pharaohs, king, emperor) In Greece, there was freedom to express ideas & leaders were receptive to the will of the people Greece wasn’t the largest empire, but their culture & way of thinking/life transcended time & became part of the western civilizations own culture

The Sea –in ancient times, Greece was not united, but a collection of lands & islands where Greek-speaking people lived –Greek peninsula that jutted out in the Mediterranean Sea – specifically the Aegean, Ionian, & Black Seas –The rest of the territory consisted of lands on the coast of Asia Minor & islands around –Physical geography shaped the Greek’s way of life – rough narrow valleys, & no navigable rivers –however, the sea replaced the rivers for ways to communicate, trade, & just stay connected

The Land ~3/4 of Greece is covered with mountains – Mt. Olympus being the largest – “home of the Greek Gods” mountains divided Greece into different regions the city-state Sparta was ~60 miles from Olympus, but it took ~week to get there made a unifying government difficult – organized into small independent communities called city-states most Greeks considered “home” their own valley & the mtns. surrounding it lived in fertile valleys – watered by small streams, not large rivers suitable for large-scale irrigation & control

never able to house large populations – no more than 2 million at one time fruits & veggies could grow only in a few places meat was rare because Greece lacked the grasslands to support animals three principal crops: 1 grains, 2 grapes, & 3 olives consequently, Greek diet was pretty light & simple –ex. Greek soldier could hike all morning & fight in the afternoon all on one meal – a few olives & a small loaf of barley bread

The Climate Mediterranean climate – temps were/are moderate, & rain falls only in winter men typically spent most of their day outside in the agora (marketplace), gymnasium, in political meetings, the theater, or at civic and religious celebrations – all of which were outside. that being said, very tight community & feeling of both duty & virtue to be politically involved

The Bronze Age Crete – located at the southern end of the Aegean Sea – largest of Greek islands Cretan Civilization thrived/flourished/blossomed from B.C.E. referred to as Minoans, after Minos, a legendary king of Crete seafaring people with great power in Mediterranean world –traded a great deal with other Aegean islands

Aegean Sea Crete Greece

The “Palace” of Knossos on Crete three phases of construction from ca B.C.E. to the final destruction in ca B.C.E. Even had plumbing - pipes carried water for bathing & had flushing toilets Minoan civilization seemed to have ended abruptly b/w B.C.E. – we have no clue why

Mainland Greece in Bronze Age ~2000 B.C.E. Greek-speaking people moved onto the mainland & settle known as Mycenaeans – after their leading city, Mycenae Mycenae- was built to withstand almost any attack –located on steep, rocky ridge & surrounded by protective wall up to 20 ft thick –a warrior-king then ruled the surrounding villages/farms

Mycenaeans all across southern Greece there were these fortifications where a warlike ruler resided these kings dominated Greece from ~ B.C.E.

Bronze Age Society the nobles who lived within forts lived pampered life –feasted in great halls – 35 ft wide x 50 ft long –a massive fire blazed in the center of the hall, gold & silver pitchers –buried with their richest treasures wealth accumulated from warrior winnings – plunder – as well as from trade –bronze age strongly associated with piracy everyone else lived simply – farmers, weavers, goatherds, shepherds, stonmasons, bakers, metalworkers, nurses, etc…

The Trojan War war was the favorite past time of Greece’s kings during Bronze age –most famous war – the siege of the seaport of Troy in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) - ~1200 B.C.E. –Homer- Greek poet who wrote epic on how a Trojan stole Helen, a Greek king’s wife

Troy for longest time, historians thought Homer’s tale was fiction, but in 1871 we think we found Troy in reality – Trojan war probably fought just because Troy was a rival trading city

Dark Ages soon after Trojan War, Mycenaean civilization collapsed – palace after palace attacked & burned –believed to be “peoples of the sea” – the same who wreaked havoc on Egyptians –writing found: “The watchers are guarding the coast”

Dark Ages Dorian Migrations – Dorians were the ppl who moved in after the Mycenaeans – spoke a dialect of Greek & were distant relatives of the Bronze Age Greeks –far less advanced than the Mycenaean Greeks – pottery & tools show very little skill involved –trade came to a standstill, & most importantly a writing system seemed to disappear thus we know very little about the Dark Ages – hence the name

Dark Ages Communication still took place – through word of mouth – –Bards- wandering poets who told stories that glorified old heroes of Mycenae & Troy –Epic- long, heroic, poems

Homer Homer- greatest bard according to Greek tradition – blind old man – wrote Iliad & the Odyssey –Homer’s tales centered around the heroic ideal – arête – to strive for excellence, to show courage, & to win fame & honor

The Olympic Games (776 B.C.E.) in war, Greek heroes sought glory on battlefield in peace, Greeks sought glory through athletic competitions – most famous were the Olympics –met every four years – young charioteers, boxers, wrestlers, runners, & javelin throwers came from all parts of Greece & competed on a grassy field at Olympia

Olympics –games lasted five days –Pentathlon- most awaited event – supreme contest – 1 broad jump, 2 discus, 3 javelin, 4 stadium sprint, 5 wrestling match –winner crowned with wreath of olive leaves

Greek Mythology believed their gods to be very human in ways – love, hate, anger, jealousy, etc… –they were immortal though, & the 12 most powerful were thought to live on Mt. Olympus also had local gods & household spirits

Greek Mythology (Olympic games, along with most things, were held in honor of Greek gods) had developed myths & even soap opera type stories about their gods –myths were usually tied in with natural phenomenon – rain, earth quake, ocean waves, etc…

Religious Leaders did not have a powerful priestly class – instead they were ordinary officials –being a priest was not a life long commitment either – just a civic duty done for a while –government & religion were closely related in ancient Greece (sound familiar?)