The geography of Greece - carrithers7ss.weebly.com file•The geography of Greece shaped its civilization: –Numerous islands –Mainland peninsula –Multiple Seas •Early people

• The geography of Greece

shaped its civilization:

– Numerous islands

– Mainland peninsula

– Multiple Seas

• Early people adapted to survive.

• Became one of the greatest

civilizations in the ancient world.

• Mountainous land and

islands offered few areas

for farming.

• Travel was difficult

so small, isolated,

farming villages

developed.

• Greeks turned to the seas for travel and food:

– Ionian

– Aegean

– Mediterranean

• Shipbuilding soon began and allowed trade with other civilizations.

• Greek history begins

with the Minoans on

the island of Crete.

• Crete was covered

with trees.

• Large-scale architecture

and shipbuilding began.

• Discovered how to grow

grapes and olives.

• Soon grew rich trading

wine and olive oil.

• Dominated Aegean Sea but

disappeared for unknown reason.

• Control of Aegean passed to the Mycenaeans.

• Mycenaeans settled in mainland Greece around 2000 B.C.

• Were visited by Minoan traders before their disappearance.

• Copied Minoan culture and learned how to make:

– Boats

– Bronze

– Wine

– Olive oil

• Greeks lived before

advanced science.

• Created myths and legends

to explain their world.

• Stories of mythology

influence our language,

literature, and world today.

• Mythology: collection of stories about

gods and heroes that try to explain how

the world works.

• Greek mythology focused

on twelve Olympian Gods.

• Believed that gods

controlled world events.

• Many Greeks visited oracles

for advice from gods.

• Had feasts, festivals,

sacrifices, and built

temples to honor Gods.

• Greeks did everything;

science, sports, arts,

& wars, to please Gods.

• Stories were used to explain:

– Human emotions

– Formation of world

– Changing of seasons

– Historical happenings

• Were also told for entertainment:

– Medusa

– Hercules

• Once Minoans were destroyed,

the Mycenaeans took over region.

• Were violent, greedy,

and attacked many areas.

• Mycenaeans attacked the

city of Troy because of

trade taxes.

Helen

Paris

Menelaus

Hector

Paris

Agamemnon

Achilles

Ulysses

Homer

• All areas of Greece were

involved with 10 year war.

• Mycenaeans eventually

won, and destroyed city.

• After the war, Greece

began to fall apart.

• During war; no trade and little farming.

• Greece was then invaded by European warriors. (Dorians)

• Earthquakes destroyed many cities.

• Greece entered into a “Dark Age”

– Widespread violence

– Little to no trade

– Loss of education

• For protection and stability city-states began.

• City-states, or polis, protected the people, but became very independent.

• Greek life revolved around each polis for:

– Economics

– Culture

– Leadership

• Many new city-states and colonies emerged and trade grew.

• Greece, once again, became rich and powerful.

• Two city-states rose to dominate all of Greece:

– Sparta

– Athens