Early Greece. Geography Mountainous country with 2 peninsulas -Balkan and Peloponnesus Peninsulas Ionian Sea to the west, Mediterranean Sea to the south.

Early Greece

Geography

• Mountainous country with 2 peninsulas -Balkan and Peloponnesus Peninsulas

• Ionian Sea to the west, Mediterranean Sea to the south and Aegean Sea to the east

• 100’s of islands• People lived on the coasts and were fishers, sailors

and traders• Farming was difficult, but raised olives, grapes,

wheat and barley

Minoans and Mycenaeans

Minoans

• Civilization was located on the island of Crete• Rich society – palace at Knossos found wine,

olive oil, bronze, jewelry and statues• People were traders and ship builders • Controlled the Mediterranean Sea with their Navy• 1450 B.C. civilization collapses – tidal wave or

invasion?

Mycenaeans

• Came from central Asia• Invaded the Greek mainland• Ruled by Kings• Palaces were built on hillsides, walled

fortresses and center of their cities• Traded leather, wine oil, and bronze

weapons• Collected taxes: honey, livestock and grains

Mycenaeans

• Adopted many Minoan ways– Ship building– Bronze work– Navigation from the sun and stars– Worshiped “Earth Mother” – Minoans chief

goddess

The Dark Ages

• 1100 – 700 B.C. brought negative changes to Greece– Population couldn’t be fed– Overseas trade declined– Poverty was common– Farmers could only produce enough to feed their families– People stopped teaching writing and craftwork– 1000’s

• Left Greece and settled islands in the Aegean and Asia Minor

•

Benefits of the Dark Ages-

• Greek civilization spreads• Dorian's conquer Peloponnesus peninsula

bring : iron technology– Farming becomes easier, surplus is produced– Trade increases– New writing discovered ( Phoenicians), makes

it much simpler than before.– Greeks write down tales of storytellers

Colonization

• Greece becomes over populated, farmers couldn’t produce enough food

• Greeks send people to colonize France, Italy, Spain and North Africa

• Colonies keep close ties with homeland

• Greek ways are followed in all new colonies

Benefits of Colonization

• Spread Greek culture• Trade- got grains, metals, fish, timber, and slaves.• Colonies received pottery, wine, olive oil and

protection• Trade increases demand for goods, industry and

specialization increases.• Greeks minted money- easier to exchange goods

The Polis

• Greek city states– Like a small country

– City states were cut off by geography, very independent

– Often disagreed and fought . Would help each other, but lacked unity

– Acropolis was central meeting place, usually fortified and was a safe place during invasions

– Agora- 2 functions: a market and a palce for meetings and debate

Greek Citizenship

• Citizens were people who free, native born men who owned land

• Citizens ran the city state

• All had equal rights and responsibilities

• Rights included: passing laws, choosing leaders, voting, to hold office, own property and defend themselves in court

Citizens as Soldiers

• Al citizens had a duty to serve in government and in the military

• Hoplites- armed citizen foot soldiers– Heavily armed – shield, short sword and 9 foot

spear– Marched shoulder to shoulder in rows- shields

formed a walls with few openings– Took pride in fighting for city state, but lacked

unity because of “hometown loyalties”