1. Geography & Early People of Greece

2. Geography Peninsula in Southern Europe Greece is located on the Balkan
Land covered with mountains(Pindus
Range)   
cover ¾ of Greek mainland
protected and isolated
limited contact between communities
effect: Greece never unites w/ one govt.

3. Geography natural harbors no place more than 50 miles from the coast
effect: many make living from the seas

4. Geography some fertile land mild climate (not hot like Egypt)
effect: some farming(barley wheat grapes and olives),
but Greeks will look for more land and will set up colonies
people raised sheep and goats
mild climate (not hot like Egypt)
effect: people spend time outside and socialize

5. Minoans lived on Crete, traded in Mediterranean
          region between 2500 and 1500 BC
British archaeologist Arthur Evans (1893)
Believed to have come from western Asia…not actually Greek
Legend of King Minos

6. Minoan Civilization 3000 – 1100 BC
This civilization was developing on the island of Crete while Egypt and Mesopotamia were flourishing
This civilization was named after legendary King Minos, whose father was said to be Zeus

7. Minoans known for labyrinth palace at Knossos
frescoes show scenes of Minoan life and religion
Relates to story of Theseus and the Minotar

8. Minoan fresco

9. Minoan fresco

10. v

11. Another Image
                                                                                        

13. Minoan fresco

14. Decline of Civilization
Minoan trade dominated eastern Mediterranean until about 1380 BC
Something happened, maybe a volcanic eruption or other natural disaster
Culture was further weakened by Mycenaean attacks and influences between 1400 and 1100 BC

15. Mycenaeans perhaps came from central Asia
intermarried w/ natives on mainland
set up kingdoms around hilltop fortresses

16. Mycenaeans adopted Minoan customs
said to have fought in legendary Trojan War
Heinrich Schliemann – German archaeologist who discovered Troy

17. Trojan Horse

18. Dorians invaded Greece from the north
Mycenaeans weakened by infighting
Dorians easily won using iron weapons

19. Dorians Dorian period known as a “dark age”
refugees fled to Ionia (west coast of Asia Minor)
Ionians gradually come back, reintroduce culture