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Early Greece Preview Starting Points Map: The Early Greeks
Main Idea / Reading Focus Minoans and Mycenaeans Greek City-States Gods and Heroes
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Early Greece Main Idea Reading Focus
The earliest cultures in Greece, the Minoans and the Mycenaeans, were trading societies, but both disappeared and were replaced by Greek city-states. Reading Focus 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?
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Minoans and Mycenaeans
Many parts of early Greek history are still a mystery, but we do know that two distinct cultures developed in early Greece. Minoan civilization developed as early as 3000 BC Lasted nearly 2,000 years Minoan ships sailed over Aegean Sea, possibly farther Colonies established on dozens of Aegean islands Ships filled with trade goods sailed back and forth between Crete and her colonies The Minoans of Crete Much of Minoan life revealed by excavations Solidly constructed buildings Private rooms Basic plumbing Brightly colored artwork Artwork shows life tied to sea, women as priests, dangerous games Excavations at Knossos
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Speculation Rapid Decline
Much history of Minoan civilization result of guesswork, speculation Historians cannot read Minoans’ writing, Linear A. Does not appear to be related to languages of mainland Greece Until writing deciphered, most knowledge will come from art, objects Rapid Decline Minoan civilization fell apart rather suddenly, possibly from disaster. Large eruption of volcanic island near Crete may have affected worldwide weather patterns. Damage to Minoan ports, crops may have weakened society Minoans conquered by warlike Mycenaeans
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Mycenaean Differences
Mycenaeans The Mycenaean States Mycenaeans built small kingdoms, often fought with each other Name comes from fortress, Mycenae First Greeks Mycenaeans considered first Greeks, spoke form of Greek language Earliest kingdoms owed much to Minoans Minoan Influences Mycenaeans traded with Minoans, copied writing Became great traders Trade increased after they conquered Crete Mycenaean Differences Society dominated by intense competition, frequent warfare, powerful kings Kings taxed trade, farming to build palaces, high walls
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Mycenaean Strengths and Downfall
To show off strength, Mycenaeans built great monuments like Lion’s Gate Kings’ constant quest for power, glory inspired legends Most famous, story of Trojan War Trojan War War supposedly involved early Greeks, led by Mycenae, who fought powerful city called Troy, in what is now Turkey War may not have happened, but ruins of city believed to be Troy found Downfall War played part in end of Mycenaean civilization, as did drought, famine By end of 1100s BC, Mycenaean cities mostly in ruins; dark age followed Greek civilization almost disappeared
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Compare and Contrast How were Minoan and Mycenaean cultures similar? How were they different? Answer(s): similar—both were trading states; different—Mycenaean writing has been translated; Mycenaeans had frequent wars
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Greek City-States A new type of society emerged in Greece in the 800s BC. The society was centered on the polis, or city-state. Each polis developed independently, with its own form of government, laws and customs. Polis, center of daily life, culture Greeks fiercely loyal to their polis Did not think of selves as Greeks, but as residents of their particular city-state Life in the Polis Polis built around high area, called acropolis Acropolis used as fortification Included temples, ceremonial spaces Agora, public marketplace, below Infrastructure Shops, houses, temples near agora Gymnasium, athletes’ training grounds, public bath Sturdy wall for defense surrounded polis Other Attributes
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Political Systems of Greek City-States
Each major polis had a different political system that developed over time. Corinth, an oligarchy, ruled by a few individuals Athens, birthplace of democracy Sparta, one of mightiest city-states, but least typical
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The Might of Sparta Beginnings Helots War
Sparta located on Peloponnesus, large peninsula of southern Greece First surrounded by smaller towns; over time Sparta seized control of towns After conquering town of Messenia, Spartans made Messenians into helots Helots Helots were state slaves given to Spartan citizens to work on farms so citizens did not have to perform manual labor. As result, Spartan citizens free to spend time training for war War Spartan emphasis on war not due to fondness for fighting, but as way to keep order in society Helots outnumbered Spartans seven to one, kept in check by strong army
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Militaristic State To support their military lifestyle, the Spartans demanded strength and toughness. All babies were examined after birth and unhealthy children were left in the wild to die. Boys taught physical, mental toughness by mothers until age 7 Entered combat school to toughen for hardships of being soldier At age 20 boys became hoplites, foot soldiers; remained in army 10 years before becoming citizens Combat School Unusual among Greek city-states Women played important role Trained in gymnastics for physical fitness, to bear strong children Women had right to own property, unlike women in most of Greece Women in Society Sparta was led by two kings who served as military commanders. Decision-making was largely left to an elected council of elders.
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Identify Cause and Effect
Why did Sparta’s political system develop? Answer(s): Because of Sparta's emphasis on war; it was led politically by two kings who served as military commanders.
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Gods and Heroes Legends and Myths The Gods of Olympus
Much of what is known about early Greece comes from studying Greeks’ legends, myths Myths, stories told to explain natural phenomena, events of distant past Greek myths explained where they came from, how they should live, cope with uncertain world Legends and Myths Ancient Greeks believed in hundreds of gods, goddesses; each governed one aspect of nature, life Example: Apollo controlled movement of sun; sister Artemis did same for moon Greeks believed gods would protect them, city-states in exchange for proper rituals, sacrifices The Gods of Olympus
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Mount Olympus Worship Sacred Locations
12 gods, goddesses were particularly influential in Greek lives These 12 lived together on Mount Olympus, highest mountain in Greece Olympian gods thought to have great power, though not perfect Myths say gods flawed, often unpredictable—loved, hated, argued, made mistakes, got jealous, played tricks on each other Almost all Greeks worshipped same gods Each polis claimed one god, goddess as special protector Example: Athens sacred to Athena Some locations considered sacred by all Greeks Worship Delphi sacred to all Greeks—priestesses of Apollo were thought to receive visions of future Olympia—every four years Greeks assembled there for Olympic Games; athletes competed against each other to honor gods Sacred Locations
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Myths about Heroes Hercules and Theseus Lessons
Greeks also told myths about heroes, used to teach Greeks where they came from, what kind of people they should be Some heroes, like Hercules, who had godlike strength, renowned through all Greece Others, like Theseus, who killed Minotaur of Crete, famous chiefly in home cities Hercules and Theseus Heroes killed monsters, made discoveries, founded cities, talked with gods on equal terms Examples inspired individuals, whole city-states, to achieve great things Hubris, great pride, brought many heroes to tragic ends Served as lessons not to overstretch abilities Lessons
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What role did mythology play in Greek culture?
Describe What role did mythology play in Greek culture? Answer(s): explained natural phenomena; taught Greeks where they came from and how to act
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