Mediterranean Europe

Mediterranean EuropeSSWG6 d. Describe the various ethnic and religious groups in the region and

the effect of geography on those groups and their major customs and traditions

SSWG6c. Analyze the importance of Europe’s coastal location, climatic characteristics, and river systems regarding population, economic

development, and world influence.

• Two geographic advantages helped the Mediterranean become the region where European civilization was born

1. Mild climate made survival there easier than in other areas

2. The Mediterranean Sea encouraged overseas trade

Ancient Greece

• Since the region is mountainous, the villages were isolated and developed into separate city-states

• The city-state of Athens developed the first democracy• Government in which the people rule• All free adult males were citizens and

had the right to serve in the law-making assembly• Direct Democracy

Ancient Greece cont.• Lasting Legacy• Art-sculpture• Architecture-columns, pediment, friezes• Sports-Olympics• Literature-tragedies and dramas• Philosophy-Plato and Aristotle• emphasized such qualities as wisdom, truth,

courage, justice, and reason as ideal virtues. He thought these were rare in any person

Ancient Rome• Located on the Italian Peninsula, Rome united its

people under one government• Rome’s government was a republic-a government

in which citizens elect representatives to rule in their name• indirect democracy

• Rome’s empire stretched from Great Britain to the Middle East

• Christianity spread across the empire and became Rome’s official religion in the late 300s

• The Western Roman empire collapsed in part because of German invaders

Ancient Rome cont.• Lasting Legacy• Architecture: perfected the dome and

arch• Engineering: extensive roads and

bridges, aqueducts to carry water• Religion: the spread of Christianity• Language: Latin is the basis of all

Romance languages

Spain’s Empire• In the 700s, Muslims from North

Africa conquered the Iberian Peninsula, they ruled for more than 1000 years

• Ferdinand and Isabella regained control of Spain in 1492 (kicked out the Muslims)• Paid for Columbus’ first voyage to the

Americas• Helped spread Catholicism and the

Spanish and Portuguese languages