Early Civilizations in Greece

Essential Question:

How did the civilizations of Greece and Rome form the

foundation of Western Civilization?

Geography• Greece consists of two

peninsulas.– Connected by Isthmus

of Corinth

• 80% of Greece is covered by mountains.– Isolated Greeks from

one another. – Each community

developed their own way of life.

• Small size allowed for everyone to participate in government.

• Also created rivalries that led to warfare.

The Sea• Greece, obviously, is

surrounded by water.– Greeks became great

seafarers.• Sailed out and made

contact with outside world.– Spread Greek

civilization.

Two earliest Greek civilizations…

Minoans

And

Mycenaeans

Minoans• Minoan civilization

existed on the island of Crete.– They are not Greek!– They did influence

Greek culture.• Traveled and traded

with the Greeks and the Egyptians.

• An enormous palace was discovered in Knossos.

Palace at Knossos

Palace at Knossos

Palace at Knossos

Palace at Knossos

Palace at Knossos

Palace at Knossos

Palace at Knossos

Palace at Knossos

Palace at Knossos

Palace at Knossos

Palace at Knossos

Toreador Fresco

End of the Minoans

• Weakened by volcanic eruption?– Sank island of Thera– Atlantis?

• Mycenaens finished them off in 1450BC.

Mycenaeans

• Led by powerful monarchies that built fortified palace centers.– Built on hills

surrounded by stone walls.

• Traded with the Egyptians and Italians.

Mycenae

Mycenae

The Lion’s Gate

Burial Ground

Mycenae

Mycenae

Mycenaean Warriors• Mycenaeans were warrior people

– Prided themselves on their heroic deeds in battle.– They spread outward and gained control of other areas.

The Iliad• According to Homer, Mycenaean Greeks sacked the

city of Troy around 1250BC.

End of the Mycenaeans• The sacking of Troy only

brought chaos back to home.– Difficult transition

from war to peace.• Mycenaeans began fighting

one another.– Earthquakes damage

Mycenae.• With the collapse of the

Mycenaeans, Greece entered a difficult period.– Population dropped– Food production dropped

• Greek Dark Ages– 1100BC – 750BC