1. They were really cool.

2.  How were women treated in early Chinese society  What is the Mandate of Heaven?  Who were the Shang?  What do you think of when you think about Greece?

3.  Mountainous peninsula  2,000 islands in the Aegean and Ionian Seas.  The region’s physical geography directly influenced all aspects of Greek life.

4.  The Greeks lived around the sea. ◦ 85 miles to the sea.  Important transportation routes ◦ Seaways linked most parts of Greece.

5.  Greeks became skilled sailors  The seas connected Greece with other societies. ◦ Greece lacked natural resources

6.  Rugged mountains ◦ Divided the land into regions  Significantly influenced political life  There was no single government.

7.  Transportation was difficult.  Tiny fertile valleys ◦ Streams were not suitable for irrigation  Greece was never able to support a large population.

8.  Great weather.  Promoted outdoor life.

9.  Settled the Greek mainland around 2000BCE.  Mycenae – leading city with a wall 20 feel thick. ◦ Could withstand any attack.  Warrior king.

10.  Came into contact with Minoans through trade or war. ◦ Mycenaeans were really into sea trade.  Adopted Minoan writing system ◦ Religion, art, politics, and literature.

11.  1200sBCE. The Mycenaeans fought a 10 year war with Troy. ◦ Troy – an independent trading city.  A Trojan prince kidnapped Helen, the beautiful wife of a Greek king.

13.  The Mycenaean civilization collapsed after the Trojan war.  Sea raiders attacked many cities.  The Dorians moved into the war-torn countryside.

14.  Less advanced than the Mycenaeans  Their economy collapsed and trade stopped  Temporarily lost the art of writing ◦ Therefore, we know little about them

15.  Greeks learned about their history through the spoken word.  Greatest story teller was Homer. ◦ Homer was blind.  The Iliad, The Odyssey.

16.  Myths - Traditional stories about their gods. ◦ Tried to understand the mysteries of nature and the power of human passions.  Gods had human qualities ◦ Love, hate, jealousy.