Bell Ringer If you were designing a civilization… Where would it be located? Why? What are the disadvantages and advantages of this area?

Seafaring Traders Minoans Mycenaeans Phoenicians

MINOANS Traders in the Mediterranean Sea Island of Crete Southern edge of Aegean Sea Major influence on the Greeks Knossos: capital city

Minoans – Capital: Knossos

Minos’ palace – Throne Room

Minoan Life Peaceful Loved nature Athletic people –Boxing –Wrestling –bull leaping Cult of the bull –Sacrifices to gods

Women Higher rank than other cultures A Great Mother Earth Goddess ruled over other gods of Crete Priestesses took charge of shrines –Aided by male assistants

King Minos Had a Minotaur (half man – half bull) as a pet Kept the monster locked in a labyrinth (maze) of which there was no escape! Later, Greek myths will include this mythical creature –Ex. Percy Jackson

What happened? Natural disasters 1470 BCE – Earthquake or volcano Unable to rebuild cities Possibly taken over by invaders Phoenicians become most powerful traders in Mediterranean

Mycenaeans

Mycenaean Culture Came to power when Minoans disappear Lived on Greek mainland Great warrior nation: “Heroic Age” –We know this from pictures and written records

Mycenaean Culture Perseus (from Greek mythology) supposedly founded Mycenae Setting in the Iliad Important place during the Trojan War –Agamemnon’s brother is married to Helen, who runs off with Paris from Troy…starting the Trojan War Influenced Greek religion and mythology

Phoenicians - Geography Rose to power during the Dark Age City-States – Byblos, Tyre, Sidon – trading centers

Phoenicians Trading Trading Centers/Colonies –Northern coast of Africa –Coasts of Sicily, Sardinia, and Spain –Greatest colony - Carthage Items traded: –Purple dye –Wood, metal, glass, and ivory products –Goods from other lands slaves weapons wine

Phoenician Accomplishments Went past the Strait of Gibraltar Sailed around Africa Writing System –Alphabet –Phonetics –Purple dye –Trading boats

The End of the Phoenicians… While things are going well for the Phoenicians… The Persians rise to power and are slowly conquering everyone…and will eventually control this area of the Mediterranean and these people. »Cyr Cyrus the Great »Pers -Persian King