1. Chapter 5 Classical Greece

2. Section 1: Early Greece

3. Section 1: Early Greece Main Idea
The earliest cultures in Greece, the Minoans and the Mycenaeans, were trading societies, but both disappeared and were replaced by Greek city-states.
Objectives
What were Minoan and Mycenaean cultures like?
What were the common characteristics of Greek city-states?
What role did stories of gods and heroes play in Greek culture?

4. I. Minoans and Mycenaeans
The Minotaur

5. I. Minoans and Mycenaeans
Much early Greek history unknown; two distinct cultures developed

6. A. The Minoans of Crete
c BC - Minoans on Crete built first Greek civilization; lasted nearly 2,000 years

7. Named after King Minos; palace was in Knossos
A. The Minoans
Named after King Minos; palace was in Knossos
The throne of King Minos, earliest surviving throne of the western world
Artist's rendition of the palace at Knossos

8. Minoans - sailors, fishermen, traders; had colonies on Aegean islands
A. The Minoans
Minoans - sailors, fishermen, traders; had colonies on Aegean islands
Fresco from the Minoan Culture c BC

9. Some homes had running water, walls covered with frescoes
A. The Minoans
Some homes had running water, walls covered with frescoes
Fresco found at the Palace of Knossos, with a representation of the bull-leaping, a kind of contest, probably religious in character, in which both men and women took part

10. A fisherman from the 16th century BC Minoan Gold Bee Pendant
A. The Minoans
Knowledge of them comes from art and artifacts; Their writing, Linear A, is undeciphered
A fisherman from the 16th century BC
Minoan Gold Bee Pendant BC

11. Ash deposited during the Minoan eruption of Santorini volcano
A. The Minoans
1628 BC- volcanic eruptions weakened Minoa 1400 BC - conquered by the Mycenaeans
Ash deposited during the Minoan eruption of Santorini volcano

12. Mycenaeans considered first true Greeks; spoke Greek language
B. The Mycenaeans
Mycenaeans considered first true Greeks; spoke Greek language

13. Powerful kingdoms dominated by competition and warfare
B. The Mycenaeans
Powerful kingdoms dominated by competition and warfare
Mycenaean Warrior Krater 12th century BC

14. Built fortresses in Peloponnesus and northern Greece; great traders
B. The Mycenaeans
Built fortresses in Peloponnesus and northern Greece; great traders
The Mycenaean Acropolis
Greek Trireme Olympias

15. B. The Mycenaeans
Most famous legend was epic of Trojan War: The Iliad by Homer; also wrote The Odyssey

16. Ruins of the Mycenaean Acropolis
B. The Mycenaeans
By 1100s BC: invasions, war, famine destroyed most cities; a dark age followed
Ruins of the Mycenaean Acropolis

17. Important contribution was a writing system, Linear B
B. The Mycenaeans
Important contribution was a writing system, Linear B

18. B. The Mycenaeans
Upper left -Linear A (untranslated) Upper right – Linear B Script, the Mycenaean language
Lower - pre-linear A script from Crete - hieroglyphic

19. 800s to 700s BC - the independent polis arose in Greece
II. Greek City-States
800s to 700s BC - the independent polis arose in Greece

20. A. Life in the Polis
The polis was the center of Greek identity; inhabitants were intensely loyal

21. Ruins of Ancient Agora Thessaloniki, Greece
A. Life in the Polis
Polis built around an acropolis, an agora was below; walls protected the polis
Acropolis in Athens
Ruins of Ancient Agora Thessaloniki, Greece

22. Each polis had own government, laws, money, and patron god
A. Life in the Polis
Each polis had own government, laws, money, and patron god
Relief showing Democracy placing
a wreath on the head of the Athenian "Demos" (body of the citizens)

23. A. Life in the Polis
All Greeks shared language, religion, culture, and social characteristics
Greek Drama
Greek Gods

24. B. The Might of Sparta
Sparta seized surrounding towns and enslaved residents, who became helots
Helots lived in their master's household but were owned by the state; unlike ordinary slaves, their master could not declare them free. They served as agricultural and domestic slaves, and were sometimes military servants as well. Helots outnumbered Spartans seven to one

25. Sparta’s highly militarized society demanded strength and toughness
B. The Might of Sparta
Sparta’s highly militarized society demanded strength and toughness
Boys were taught physical, mental toughness by mothers. At age 7, boys left home for military training and schooling. The state-controlled education in Sparta was designed not to instill literacy, but fitness, obedience, and courage. Boys were taught survival skills, encouraged to steal what they needed without getting caught, and, under certain circumstances, to murder Helots. At birth unfit children would be left to die. The weak continued to be weeded out, those who survived would know how to cope with inadequate food and clothing. Soldiers could not engage in trade or business and remained available for military service until age 60.

26. Men trained for war at 18; began military service as hoplites at 20
B. The Might of Sparta
Men trained for war at 18; began military service as hoplites at 20
Chigi Vase, 650.BC. First piece of archaeological evidence showing a hoplite phalanx formation.
Greek Phalanx

27. Bronze statuette of girl runner, probably from Sparta.
B. The Might of Sparta
Spartan girls received physical training, were taught devotion to Sparta
In no other Greek City-state did women enjoy the same freedom and privileges of Spartan women.
Only in Sparta did girls receive public education; in other city-states most women were completely illiterate. Only in Sparta were girls allowed to engage in sport. Only in Sparta did women possess economic power and influence.
Bronze statuette of girl runner, probably from Sparta.

28. Two kings headed government and served as military commanders
B. Government in Sparta
Two kings headed government and served as military commanders
King Leonidas of the Agiad family
Archidamos III of the Eurypontid family

29. III. Gods and Heroes
Greeks created myths about gods, goddesses, and heroes to explain their world

30. III. Gods and Heroes
12 most important gods lived on Mount Olympus; had great power but far from perfect
The Greek Olympian are Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite, Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Demeter, Hephaestus, Hermes, Hestia, and Poseidon. They are all related to each other in one way or another and each performed different duties.

32. Sacred locations – Delphi and Olympia
III. Gods and Heroes
Sacred locations – Delphi and Olympia
Priestess of Apollo at the oracle of Delphi. Sitting over a fissure in the earth and bathed in rising vapors, would go into a trance from which she could advise and warn.
Every four years Greeks assembled at Olympia for Olympic Games where athletes competed against each other to honor the gods

33. The Olympian games were so important that many Greeks dated their historical periods from the first games, which were held in 776 BC

34. III. Gods and Heroes
Heroes killed monsters, founded cities, talked with gods on equal terms

35. Hubris brought many heroes to tragic ends
III. Gods and Heroes
Hubris brought many heroes to tragic ends
Odysseus and the Sirens