Early People of the AegeanEarly People of the Aegean

Chapter 4, Section 1Chapter 4, Section 1

I) Minoans and Mycenaeans I) Minoans and Mycenaeans shape early Greek civilizationsshape early Greek civilizations

• A) MinoansA) Minoans

• Lived on CreteLived on Crete

• Traded; set up posts throughout Aegean Traded; set up posts throughout Aegean

• Rulers lived in a palace at KnossosRulers lived in a palace at Knossos

• Vanished around 1400 B.C.Vanished around 1400 B.C.

• Why? – See page 115Why? – See page 115

• Volcano, earthquake, MycenaeansVolcano, earthquake, Mycenaeans

• B) Mycenaeans (1400 BC-1200 BC)B) Mycenaeans (1400 BC-1200 BC)

• First Greek-speaking peopleFirst Greek-speaking people

• Sea traders Sea traders

• Lived in city statesLived in city states

• Fought in Trojan War against TroyFought in Trojan War against Troy

II) The Trojan WarII) The Trojan War

• Long thought to be legendLong thought to be legend• Evidence of the war was found in 1870’s Evidence of the war was found in 1870’s

dating to 1250 BCdating to 1250 BC• Two epic poems by Homer enhance our Two epic poems by Homer enhance our

understanding of the Trojan war:understanding of the Trojan war:• IliadIliad – tells of the Trojan War and the – tells of the Trojan War and the

adventures of Achillles, the mightiest adventures of Achillles, the mightiest Greek WarriorGreek Warrior

• OdysseyOdyssey – tells of Odysseus’ struggle as he – tells of Odysseus’ struggle as he tries to return home after wartries to return home after war

III) After the Mycenaean III) After the Mycenaean civilizationcivilization

• Greece passed several centuries in Greece passed several centuries in obscurityobscurity

• People lived in small, isolated People lived in small, isolated villagesvillages

• A NEW Greek civilization would A NEW Greek civilization would emerge to dominate the region and emerge to dominate the region and influence the world……….influence the world……….

The Rise of Greek City The Rise of Greek City StatesStates

Chapter 4, Section 2Chapter 4, Section 2

I) Geography of GreeceI) Geography of Greece

• Mountains created valleysMountains created valleys

• Hundreds of rocky islands off of Hundreds of rocky islands off of coastscoasts

• Independent city-states formed in Independent city-states formed in these isolated islands and valleysthese isolated islands and valleys

• Rivalries between city-states often Rivalries between city-states often led to warled to war

Map Activity: Ancient Map Activity: Ancient GreeceGreece

• The citizens, or free residents, of cities, shared responsibilities and debated ideas.

• Male landowners held all of the political power.

Greeks built cities on two levels, with an acropolis on the top of a hill and a walled main city below.

Different forms of government evolved in Greece between 750 B.C. and 500 B.C.

aristocracy:rule by a hereditary landholding elite

oligarchy:a government in which power is in the hands of a small, wealthy elite

monarchy:a hereditary ruler exercises central power

- Affordable iron weapons replaced bronze, increasing the power of the middle class.

- Soldiers trained to fight in a phalanx, and this training created unity.

As forms of government evolved, new warfare methods also emerged.

Phalanx warfare put defense of a city-state into the hands of ordinary citizens. Phalanx warfare put defense of a city-state into the hands of ordinary citizens.

At the same time, it led to two influential city-states developing different ways of life.At the same time, it led to two influential city-states developing different ways of life.

Sparta stressed military

virtues and strong discipline.

Athens glorified the individual and extended rights to more citizens.