1. GREEK CIVILIZATION

2. ANCIENT GREECE Region of isolated valleys, hills, small plains, peninsulas, and islands Region of isolated valleys, hills, small plains, peninsulas, and islands Sea formed its focal point Nothing more than barbarous fringe area to older civilizations of the Middle East Nothing more than barbarous fringe area to older civilizations of the Middle East Tiny, unimportant, and poor in natural resources

4. FIRST GREEKS Either were Neolithic farmers who migrated from Asia Minor around 3000 BC Either were Neolithic farmers who migrated from Asia Minor around 3000 BC Or were an Indo- European tribe from southern Russia who migrated into the region around 2300 BC Or were an Indo- European tribe from southern Russia who migrated into the region around 2300 BC In either case, when people did arrive in the peninsula, they soon came into contact with an already civilized people who lived on the nearby island of Crete In either case, when people did arrive in the peninsula, they soon came into contact with an already civilized people who lived on the nearby island of Crete The Minoans The Minoans

5. MINOAN CIVILIZATION Neolithic settlements date back to 4000 BC Neolithic settlements date back to 4000 BC Early farmers probably came into contact with Middle Eastern civilization around 3000 BC Had developed an advanced civilization of their own by 2000 BC Had developed an advanced civilization of their own by 2000 BC Expressed in the construction and decoration of huge palace complexes Largest one at Knossos

6. MINOAN PALACE COMPLEXES Complicated structures consisting of a honeycomb of various rooms surrounding a large courtyard Complicated structures consisting of a honeycomb of various rooms surrounding a large courtyard Huge Huge Knossos covered three acres Well-built Well-built Strong foundations meant to withstand earthquakes Many rooms decorated with brightly colored frescoes that depicted various aspects of Minoan life Many rooms decorated with brightly colored frescoes that depicted various aspects of Minoan life Know from them that men were clean shaven and generally wore short kilts Women had elaborate hair- dos and wore dresses with wide sleeves and pinched-in waists

7. MINOAN WRITING Developed alphabet around 1700 BC Developed alphabet around 1700 BC Linear A Not yet deciphered Switched to alphabet called Linear B around 1450 BC Switched to alphabet called Linear B around 1450 BC Mostly used perishable writing materials None of which has survived But also sometimes wrote on clay tablets using this alphabet Have been deciphered Tells us quite a bit about their society and culture

8. MINOAN COMMERCE Palaces controlled the commercial, agricultural, and manufacturing activities of surrounding regions Palaces controlled the commercial, agricultural, and manufacturing activities of surrounding regions Commerce was very important Commerce was very important Acted as trade intermediary between civilized and barbarian worlds Exported wool, olive oil and timber in exchange for other raw materials and luxury items Built large and technologically advanced merchant and military navy

9. MINOAN WOMEN Women played important role in society Women played important role in society Most of their gods were female Headed by the so-called “Snake Goddess” Women also portrayed at the head of processions and as participants in athletic events Even bull-leaping May not have been a matriarchy but women nonetheless enjoyed a prominent social position May not have been a matriarchy but women nonetheless enjoyed a prominent social position

10. MYCENEAN AGE 1600-1150 BC 1600-1150 BC Had some contact with Minoan civilization by at least 1600 BC Had some contact with Minoan civilization by at least 1600 BC Typical of the very warlike, semi-barbarian cultures that extended over most of Europe Typical of the very warlike, semi-barbarian cultures that extended over most of Europe Only difference was that contact with Minoans gradually ameliorated some of their barbarism and allowed them to develop a more sophisticated culture Only difference was that contact with Minoans gradually ameliorated some of their barbarism and allowed them to develop a more sophisticated culture

11. MYCENEAN CIVILIZATION EMERGES Assimilation of Minoan culture was complete by 1400 BC Assimilation of Minoan culture was complete by 1400 BC About the time that they invade and destroyed Crete About the time that they invade and destroyed Crete Took the place of Minoans as commercial middlemen between civilized Middle East and barbarian Europe Took the place of Minoans as commercial middlemen between civilized Middle East and barbarian Europe Began to build huge palaces at Mycenae, Tiryns, Athens, Thebes, and Pylos Began to build huge palaces at Mycenae, Tiryns, Athens, Thebes, and Pylos

12. MYCENEAN PALACES Palaces served as central meeting places Palaces served as central meeting places Home for the king and his administrators Warehouse for agricultural and manufactured products Marketplace Communications center Also served as religious centers Also served as religious centers Crowded with priests and priestesses

13. RELIGION AND CULTURE Great Mother goddess was major god Great Mother goddess was major god Derived from Minoan Snake Goddess But Myceneans also began to emphasize male gods Zeus, Poseidon, Hermes, and Apollo Borrowed heavily from Minoans Borrowed heavily from Minoans Wrote in Linear B on clay tablets Painted frescoes on palace walls Carved in ivory and stone Made elaborate seals

14. THE DARK AGE Although generally isolated and backward, the Dark Age did see some technological and cultural innovations that would create foundation for future Greek civilization Iron, for example, came into general use for weapons and agricultural implements People who fled Greece settled on Aegean Islands, coast of Asia Minor, and elsewhere, forming base for prosperous city-states that would develop there

15. ProtoGeometric Vases

16. This monumental amphora was used to mark an aristocratic tomb in Athens. Called Dipylon for the location in Athens where it and several others were found, this vase marks the high- point in Geometric art, with sophisticated multiple friezes and a central figural scene which makes an attempt to show both emotion and 3D perspective

17. Bronze statuettes

18. WORLD OF THE ILIAD AND ODYSSEY In terms of values and attitudes, Homer was describing the late Dark Age In terms of values and attitudes, Homer was describing the late Dark Age Imposed values, attitudes, and motivations of his own age on historical characters Imposed values, attitudes, and motivations of his own age on historical characters World he described was made up of tiny, autonomous political units World he described was made up of tiny, autonomous political units Each self-sufficient and inward- looking Each self-sufficient and inward- looking Each ruled by a chieftain Each ruled by a chieftain Main job was to protect his people from constant outside aggression Main job was to protect his people from constant outside aggression Mask of Agamemnon, king of Argos

20. Coritnhian Pottery

21. From KORAI to KOUROS KORE c.a. 510 B.C. from Athens

22. Kouros

24. CLASSIC PERIOD (c.a. 490-338 B.C.) PARTHENON- Athens THE BASILICA- Paestum(Italy)

25. Architectural Orders

26. PROPYLAEA-Acropolis of Athens TEMPLE OF ATHENA NIKE ERECHTEUM

27. DELPHI THE CHARIOTEER

28. Paintings (Vase)

29. Black-Figure Pottery

30. Red-Figure Pottery MEIDIAS’ VASE

31. STELAE

32. LATE CLASSICAL PERIOD (4 th ct. B.C.)