1. Ancient Greece
2000 B.C.E B.C.E.

2. Overview of Greece Physical Setting Northeast End of the Mediterranean
Consists of Small Peninsulas
Geography
Short mountain ranges cut through mainland
Separate communities
Prevents Unity among Greeks
No clear river system
No unifying meeting place
Prevents Unity
Mild climate, good soil, sufficient rainfall
Farmers can grow grain, grapes, olives
Sheeps, Goats raised in mountains
Not enough to live on

4. The Importance of Geography
Geography encourages trade
Long coastline allows all of mainland to be near sea
Islands surrounding have many good harbors
Question: What types of occupations might Greek citizens develop?
(Farmers, fishermen, sailors, traders, explorers)

6. The Predecessors of the Greeks
The Minoans
Existed on Crete before Greek Civilization
Legendary in Greek culture, verified in 1900 AD
Archaeologists discover Knossos (palace of King Minos)
Ruins, artifacts discovered since back up finding
Characteristics
Writing: “Linear A” (Not been deciphered yet), “Linear B” (early form of Greek)
Well established by 2000 BC
Art: created Frescoes (Wall paintings on plaster)
Dominated the Aegean Islands
1500 BC: Volcano destroys much of Minoan civilization

7. The Palace of King Minos
King Minos’ palace:
built as a labyrinth
legendary home of the Minotaur

8. Outside King Minos’ palace today

9. King Minos' governmental throne room.

10. The Mycenaeans 2000 BC: Groups from the North (Indo-European)
Culture develops around 1600 BC-1200 BC
Warlike group, conquered other areas
Conquered Crete, adopted much of Minoan civilization
1200 BC: Earthquakes destroy much of civilization

11. The palace in Mycenae was surrounded by massive walls with a huge gateway called the Lion Gate

12. Mycenaen Civilization
Palaces in the city of Mycenae
served as the centers for government and economy
Government
Role of Tax collectors:
kept track of the wealth of the people living in the kingdom
collected taxes on: wheat, livestock, honey etc.

13. Mycenaen Civilization
Economy
tanned leather, sewed clothes, made jars for honey and olive oil, created bronze shields etc.
What did they learn from the Minoans?
used Minoan architecture as a model for their palaces
Metalworking shipbuilding
navigation------lead by the sun and stars
Religion- worshipped Earth Mother

14. Mycenaen Civilization
Why does the civilization come to an end?
Two Theories:
1. Infighting amongst the kingdoms
2. Invasion by the Dorians

15. Dorians Came in armed with iron weapons called the “dark age”:
Why?
Trade ended, poverty increased, literacy declined
refugees fled to Ionia
750 B.C.- reintroduced culture, crafts, etc.
Founding of Hellenic Civilization
700’s B.C B.C.