1. Geography and Early Greece

2. How did geography influence Ancient Greek Civilization?
Essential Question

3. The geography of Ancient Greece influenced the economical, social and political aspects of Greek civilization

4. Geography

5. Environmental Factors
These 3 factors influenced Greek Civilization
Seas
Land
Climate
Environmental Factors

6. Geography-The Seas Greece is surrounded by 3 seas Aegean Ionian Black
Think-Pair-Share: How do these seas affect the lifestyle of the Greeks?

7. Geography-The Seas
Think-Pair-Share: How did these seas affect the lifestyle of the Greeks?
All important for trade
because Greece lacked
natural resources.

8. Geography-The Land Greece consists of Peninsulas Islands
Mountains-that divide up the land, which makes it difficult for Greece to unite under one government.
Think-Pair-Share: How did the mountains affect the lifestyle of Greece?

9. Geography-The Land Greece consists of Peninsulas, Islands, &
Mountains-that divide up the land, which makes it difficult for Greece to unite under one government.
Think-Pair-Share: How did the mountains affect the lifestyle of Greece?
People united into smaller communities, eventually city-states.
Only 20% of Greece’s land was suitable for farming.
Never able to support a large population
City-States colonized other lands more suitable for farming

11. Geography-Climate The climate in Greece is fairly moderate
Winters average 48 degrees
Summers average 80 degrees
Think-Pair-Share: How does the climate affect the lifestyle of the Greeks?

12. Geography-Climate The climate in Greece is fairly moderate
Winters average 48 degrees
Summers average 80 degrees
Think-Pair-Share: How does the climate affect the lifestyle of the Greeks?
Moderate temperatures allow for an outdoor lifestyle with public events and gatherings

13. Early Greece

14. The Minoans ( B.C.E)
The Minoans: Pre-Greek civilization on island of Crete
Seafarers and traders
Finest painted pottery of that time
Famous legend of King Minos and the Minotaur
Mysterious end

15. The Mycenaeans ( B.C.E)
The Mycenaeans: People from city of Mycenae on island of Peloponnesus
Invade Crete and adopt Minoan culture
Recognize importance of seaborne trade
Minoan writing system
Painted with Minoan designs

16. The Trojan War (1200 B.C.E.)
The Trojan War: A 10 year war between the Mycenaeans and the city of Troy
The war was previously thought of as a legend, but archaeological evidence suggests that the war was based on real cities, people, and events.
Historians believe that the story of Helen is false. Instead, historians believe that the Mycenaeans were fighting over a waterway.

17. The Dorians or the Dark Age of Greece (1100-800 B.C.E.)
The Dorians: group of early Greeks who settled in Mycenae
Considered less advanced than the Mycenaeans
No trade
No written records

18. Homer Homer was considered the greatest storyteller of his time.
Known for epics The Iliad and The Odyssey
Because of the lack of writing, oral traditions and storytelling became important.
Stories and traditions needed to be passed down some way

19. Mythology

20. Mythology
Mythology: polytheistic religion that was a set of myths and stories about Greek gods
Greek mythology served 3 purposes:
understand and explain natural phenomena
understand and explain human qualities
understand explain life events
The Greeks attributed human characteristics to their gods
love, hate, human jealousy
Greek mythology influenced symbols, images, art, and architecture in Western civilization
This was how they explained the life around them