1. Early Greek History

2. Minoan Civilization Developed on the island of Crete
Writing system
Elaborate frescoes decorate palaces at Knossos
Traded extensively by ship across the Mediterranean and Black seas
Writing, gold work, and architecture inspired by contact from middle eastern communities
Greeks later adopt Minoan systems of writing
Culture spread across the Aegean Sea making landfall in Greece around 200 B.C.E.

4. The Mycenaeans Located on Greek mainland, influenced by Minoans
Developed around 1600 B.C.E.
Each Myceanean town was governed by a monarchy
Achievements
Bronze weapons and pottery

6. Dorians Invaded Greek mainland in 1100 B.C.E.
Led to a period of violence and lawlessness known as the Dark Ages that lasted until 750 B.C.E.
New civilization formed when mainland Greeks mixed with the Dorians
Tribal society
Wealth based on land ownership
Many Greeks also fled from the Dorians
Grew into settlements in remote villages
Developed into city-states
Major political organization of ancient Greece

7. The Trojan War
Warrior from Mycenaean sailed across the Aegean to attack Troy
For centuries the stories of the Trojan War were recited
700 B.C.E Homer shaped the stories of the Trojan War into an epic, the Iliad
Iliad shaped Greek culture, students learned the verses by heart
The values expressed in the epic became part of Greek identity
Courage, bravery, strength, honor
Every man make up is mind to fight and on on his enemy! Strong as I am, its hard for me to face so many men and fight with all at once… and yet I will!- Homer Iliad