Minoan and Mycenaean Civilizations

Minoans(1750-1500 B.C.)

• First civilization in

Europe

• Location: Crete

• Did not worry about

invasions…why?

Minoan Lifestyle• Sea Traders (This made them

rich!)• Lived in elaborate palaces and

large homes–Famous palace named Knossos

• Had social equality…–Definition?

Minoan Lifestyle

•Leisure time spent in boxing, gymnastics and bull jumping!

Fall of Minoans• Disappeared before 1400 B.C. possibly because of volcano and/or invaders

Mycenaeans(1400-1200 B.C.)

• Sea Traders

• Lived in city-states surrounded by thick stone walls…why?

Epic Poems by Homer

• The Iliad – about Trojan War

Epic Poems by Homer

• The Odyssey – Odysseus’ journey home from the Trojan War.

The Trojan War (1250 B.C.)

• Fought between Mycenae & Troy• One reason for war:

–Troy controlled the straits that connect the Mediterranean & Black Seas and Mycenae wanted them

The Trojan War (1250 B.C.)

• Greek legend says:

–Trojan prince, Paris, captured Helen, the wife of the Greek king. The Mycenaean’s went to Troy to get her back, but couldn’t get inside the city of Troy. 10 years later the Mycenaeans built a wooden horse to trick the Trojans and won.