1. Ancient Greeks: Mountains and Seas
Chapter 8 Lesson 1

2. Objectives Describe the geography of Greece
Analyze how the ancient Greeks adapted to the land and sea
Discuss the importance of trade to the ancient Greeks

3. Vocabulary
Peninsula – stretch of land that is almost completely surrounded by water
Isthmus – small strip of land
Harbor – sheltered places with deep water close to the shoreline

4. Mountains and Seas
Present-day Greece is located on the Balkan Peninsula
Mountains covered nearly 75% of mainland Greece, where the soil is thin and rocky
About 2,000 islands surround Greece’s jagged coastline
How do you think living on the coastline affected the lives of early Greeks? (your opinion)
See map on page 271 in textbook
What causes much of the soil on mainland Greece to be thin and rocky?

5. Mountains and Seas
What causes much of the soil on mainland Greece to be thin and rocky?
The mountains caused the soil to be thin and rocky
How is southern Greece connected to the northern part?
It is connected by a small strip of land called an isthmus

6. Life Among Mountains
On the mainland, early Greeks lived in isolated mountain valleys
Land travel was difficult
They raised livestock and grew crops that did well in a dry climate and poor soil
How did the mountains affect inland travel and trade in ancient Greece?

7. Life Among Mountains
What kept the people of Greece from uniting under one government?
The mountains separated
How did the mountains affect inland travel and trade in ancient Greece?
The made them difficult
What did early Greek farmers do to solve the problems caused by the dry climate and poor soil
They figured out how to grow crops that did well in the dry climate and poor soil region. These crops included barley, wheat, olives, and grapes

8. Life by the Seas
Ancient Greeks started most of their settlements near the coast and used the seas for food and travel
As they traveled they exchanged ideas and religious beliefs
Advantages: sea travel helped them exchange ideas and goods with other cultures
Disadvantages: sea travel was dangerous

9. Poseidon
According to the Greeks the god Poseidon ruled the seas and watched over sailors and their boats
They believed he expressed his moods through the sea
Storm = Poseidon was angry

10. Exchange and Trade
Farming surpluses: olives, grains, and grapes allowed the early people of Greece to trade for resources they did not have
Food surpluses and improved farming techniques led to new kinds of jobs
Craft workers made tools, containers, clothing, and other objects from natural resources such as wood, clay, bone, wool, stone and metal
Olives and grapes were used for olive oil and wine

11. Lesson Summary
The geography of Greece affected the lives of its early people
Mountains separated settlements and made inland trade difficult
Early farmers learned to grow crops suited to the rock soil and dry climate
Settlements along the seas developed into seafaring cultures
Through trade, the early people of Greece exchanged goods and ideas with other cultures in the Mediterranean

12. Questions
Why was the farming of olives, grapes, and grain such a powerful discovery for the early people of Greece?
Not only could they produce a steady food supply, they could also provide a surplus. This surplus supported a growing population.
What goods did the ancient Greeks import and export
Imported: wheat
Exported: wine, olive oil, pottery and wood