1. Greece in the Heroic Age
CHW 3MR
Lesson 30

2. Greece in the Heroic Age
Learning Goal:
Analyze the role that Homer and mythology played in framing the Greek identity
Finish “Aegean” and discuss questions
Note and discussion
Complete Chapter 3 textbook questions

3. Minoans
Lived on Crete
Traded with other Mediterranean and Near East societies
Most important palace was Knossos; centre of political power
Very impressive buildings, designed to withstand common earthquakes but not invasion
Destroyed around 1750 BCE by a massive earthquake

5. Thera This island exploded around 1628 BCE (volcano)
Remains of the town were uncovered in 1967
Today it is the island of Santorini

7. Mainland Greece

8. Mycenaeans
Greece evolved at the same pace as Crete until 1700 BCE when chiefdoms emerged
There were palaces and kings, and a state religion
Mycenae was the most powerful of these
Similar to a feudalistic state  land owners owed their allegiance to the king of Mycenae
Around 1200 BCE, disasters struck

9. Dark Ages of Greece
350 years of recuperation took place…

10. Geography of Greece Mountains surrounding small pockets of arable land
Natural separation between regions
The ‘polis’ or ‘city-state’ naturally emerged
The sea is the main route of communication
Greeks became great sailors, bringing ideas and wealth back to Greece

11. Re-Birth
The writings of Homer gave the Greeks a glorious past, shared by citizens of all regions.
Resurgence of trade in the Mediterranean and beyond led to new skills (ship-building) and new goods
Better knowledge of the world around them
An alphabet only 27 letters, easy for anyone to learn

12. Olympic Games to honour Zeus, began in 776 BCE
Relationships formed with Italy, as Greeks emigrated to the rich lands of Rome and Sicily
Led to colonization and Greek communities abroad
Olympic Games to honour Zeus, began in 776 BCE
Continued until 393 CE when they were banned by the Roman emperor of the day