1. The Early Greeks Before City-States

2. Minoan and Mycenaean Civilizations

3. The First Greek Society

4. The Minoans Lived on the island of Crete, subtropical climate Lived on the island of Crete, subtropical climate Named after legendary King Minos Named after legendary King Minos Island had poor soil, forced the Minoans to trade with other people Island had poor soil, forced the Minoans to trade with other people Built impressive palaces at Knossos, decorated it with frescoes Built impressive palaces at Knossos, decorated it with frescoes Minoans disappeared because of invasions and natural disasters (volcano and tidal wave) Minoans disappeared because of invasions and natural disasters (volcano and tidal wave)

5. Geography of Crete

7. Palace at Knossos

8. The Palace at Knossos

9. Views of the Palace at Knossos

10. Inside the Palace

11. Frescoes

16. Minoan Life Palaces and homes of nobles had running water They probably worshipped bull and earth goddesses; women probably had a major role in society Kings built a really strong navy They got along well with other cultures because of their need to trade They wrote a lot, but we cannot translate these writings; they are written in LINEAR A

17. The Mycenaeans

18. Mycenae History Lived mostly on the Greek mainland, conquered the Minoans on Crete Very successful sea traders Influenced by Minoans, Egyptians and Mesopotamians Ruled many city-states on the mainland, each was ruled by a warrior-king and had a thick-walled fortress Wrote in LINEAR B, which we can translate

19. Mycenaean Wealth

20. More on the Mycenaean People Rulers gained huge amounts of wealth in gold and treasures by fighting with other people Fought in Trojan War against Troy – Mycenae won and burned Troy to the ground Mycenaean power faded because of many reasons –Cities fought with each other –Invasion from outsiders –Famine –Drought

21. Then What Happened? Greek civilization fell apart Cities were in ruins People fled to the countryside Greece was constantly invaded by outsiders Greek civilization almost disappeared This period of confusion lasted for over 300 years