• Define the term “geography as a cultural determinant”

What would it meant to say that “geography was a cultural determinant” for the ancient Cradles?

The Geography of

World History 9 St. Anne’s-Belfield

Introduction...

Greece and the Foundation of the Western Tradition

“The history of ancient Greece is a story of individual thinkers, artists, writers, soldiers, and leaders who

contributed to the future civilizations. Although the Greeks in time were conquered, their culture spread to distant lands. Their ideas became the basis of Western

Civilization- the heritage of ideas that spread throughout Europe to the Americas and remains part

of our culture.”

Three geographic factors profoundly influenced Greek culture... - The Climate - The Terrain - The Sea

Greece and the Foundation of the Western Tradition

The Climate of Greece!

!

!l Greece is part of a large ecological

zone that encompasses the Mediterranean Sea and the lands surrounding it.

l The zone is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the Alps, the Syrian desert to the east, and the Sahara to the south.

l The lands lying within this region have roughly uniform climate, experience a similar sequence of seasons, and are home to similar plants and animals.

l This is called a Mediterranean Climate.

Consequences of the Climate

l Mild climate promoted public life! l Men spent most of their at

the agora-the public meeting place-in political meetings, at the theater and at civic celebrations. All these events took place outdoors. l DEMOCRACY! l DRAMA!

The Terrain of Greecel Physically Greece is a land of

rough mountains, narrow valleys, and no navigable rivers.

l 3/4’s of Greece is covered with mountains. – These mountains divide

Greece into a number of different regions.

– In ancient times, rugged terrain made communcation and inter-regional transportation difficult.

Mainland Greece Cont...l The mountains

significantly influenced Greek political life. l Severely hampered

internal communication led to the development of fiercely independent city-states and the failure create a single, unified Greek state to defend itself

Natural Resources etc...l To most Greeks, home was their

own valley and the mountains that enclosed it.

l Tiny but fertile valleys covered 1/4 of Greece.

l Principle crops are grains, grapes, and olives. – Sheep and goats were grazed

in the hills during the growing season but meat was rare because the animals had nothing to graze on.

To the Sea Cont...l Greece is renown as a great

maritime civilization l A combination of circumstances

drew the Greeks to the sea. – Lack of and need to import

resources like metals, timber, and grain (food)

– Over-population – The difficulty of overland

transport and communication – Availability of natural harbors

“The sea shaped Greek civilization just as rivers shaped the river valley civilizations.”

!l Greece itself was poor in natural resources

• This led to the eventual establishment of a number of Greek Colonies throughout the Mediterranean World ✴ to ease overcrowding on the tiny mainland ✴ to provide Greece with necessary resources

l Wine and olive products were exchanged for grain to support home cities. l Sea travel facilitated the exchange of ideas between the Greeks and other

older societies (Phoenicians) l Trade and colonization advanced Greek culture and influence in the

Mediterranean region.

Colonization and Diffusion

!“In one sense the Greeks did not live on a land

but around a sea.”

But in the Beginning...!

l Greek civilization arose in the lands bordering the Aegean Sea; the Greek mainland, the islands of the Aegean, and the Western coast of Asia Minor.

l The first two notable Greek civilizations were those of the Minoans on the island of Crete and the Myceneans in mainland Greece