Section 1: Geography and the Early Greeks Burnette/Davis

 The Greeks live on rocky, mountainous lands surrounded by water.  Mainland Greece is a peninsula, surrounded by water on three sides.  In addition, there are many islands that make up Greece.  Greece also has a very rugged coastline.

 Peninsulas and islands are dominated by mountains.  Mountains run almost to the sea.  Very few small coastal plains and valleys allow for farming.

 Because of the mountains, there is little area to farm.  People settled on coastal plains and in river valleys.  Communities were separated by mountains and seas.  Travel across mountains and seas was difficult. Communities were isolated.  People created their own governments and ways of life.  Each community saw themselves as a separate country.

 Since inland travel was difficult, Greeks turned to the seas.  Greece was surrounded by three seas: Mediterranean (to the south), Ionian (to the east), and Aegean (to the west)  The sea was a source of both food and trade.  Greeks became expert shipbuilders and sailors and sailed all around the Mediterranean exchanging goods and ideas.

 1. How did geography impact settlement in Greece?  2. Why did the Greeks have to depend on the sea?  3. Since the Greeks turned to the sea, what did they become experts in doing?

 Two of the earliest cultures that developed in Greece were the Minoans and the Mycenaeans.  The Minoans settled on the island of Crete in the Mediterranean.  The Mycenaeans settled on the Greek mainland.

 Minoans spent much of their time at sea. They were among the best shipbuilders of their time.  They traded wood, olive oil, and pottery.  They imported (brought in) copper, gold, silver, and jewels.  Around 1600 BC, a volcano erupted north of Crete.  The eruption caused a giant wave to flood the island.  Clouds of ash ruined crops and buried cities. This most likely led to the end of the Minoans.

 Even though they live in what is now Greece and influenced Greek culture, historians do not consider the Minoans to be Greek!  This is because they did not speak the Greek language.

 First people to speak Greek, and therefore considered to be Greek.  Built powerful fortresses all along the Greek mainland.  When the Minoans declined, the Mycenaeans took over Crete.  They colonized all over the Mediterranean and shipped goods across the seas.

 The Myceneans didn’t think trade had to be done peacefully.  Some historians think they attacked the city of Troy, leading to the legendary Trojan War.  Mycenean culture declined with invaders from Europ e and a series of earthquakes.  After the fall of the Myceneans, Greek culture declined into a Dark Age.

FACTS ABOUT THE MINOANS FACTS ABOUT THE MYCENAEANS  1.  2.  3.  1.  2.  3.

 After 300 years from the Mycenean collapse, Greeks started to join together for protection and stability.  POLIS = The Greek word for city-state  The creation of Greek city-states marks the beginning of the Classical Age.  CLASSICAL = An age marked by great achievement.

 The city-states were built around a strong fortress.  ACROPOLIS = a high hill in Greece where a fortress was built  The town was surrounded by walls for added protection  Farmers lived outside the walls near the fields  In times of war, women and children were gathered into the walls while the men fought.

 Life in a city-state centered on the agora, or marketplace  Trade and business were conducted here, but it was also a meeting place.  People held religious or political assemblies in the market.  Shops were located there as well.

 City-states gave people stability.  People identified with their city-state, not as Greek.  People were expected to contribute to the city- state’s economy and government.

 1. Describe what a Greek polis might look like.  2. What is an agora?  3. What were the purposes of the agora?  4. Were all ancient Greeks united under a “Greek culture” or identity? Why or why not?

 Over time, Greeks did not have to worry about raiders or invasions.  People agreed Greece should establish colonies so they could grow and prosper.  City-states created colonies that over time became independent.  Many large cities around the Mediterranean today began as Greek city-states as far as Turkey, France, and Italy.

 Greek colonies sent metals such as copper and iron to mainland Greece.  Greek city-states sent wine, olive oil, and other products out to the colonies.  Trade made the city-states wealthy.  Greek ships sailed all the way to Egypt and the Black Sea.