Chapter 8, section 1 The Rise of City-States

Greek Geography Greeks scattered across islands in the Mediterranean Sea Ancient Greek speakers straddled two continents: Asia AND Europe Aegean Sea separated the two continents. Modern Greece (including Athens) is a large peninsula that juts into the Mediterranean Sea. Sparta was located in the Peloponnesian Peninsula.

Can you find Greece?

Mediterranean Sea

Farming ONLY in valley Mainland Greece had lots of mountains. Farming cold only be done in the valley. Why do you think? Read p. 247, first paragraph. Two reasons. Too steep. Too rocky.

Mediterranean Climate Mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers Climate NOT suitable for growing grain. Climate suitable for growing olive trees and grape vines. Many Greeks became skillful sailors/merchants and fishermen.

Classwork 1.Why no grain? Read P Why olives and grapes? Read P Whom do you think the Greeks traded with? See map on p What do you think the Greeks were most eager to import? (Clue: what they couldn’t grow at home!)

Island of Crete

Minoan Civilization Minoan civilization started on the island of Crete around 2000 B.C. Minoans were very sophisticated civilization (had writing system, huge stone palaces), Capital city was Knossos, but it was destroyed in 1450 B.C. Minotaur: half bull, half human.

Minotaur

The Mycenaeans After Knossos (Minoan civilization) was destroyed, Greek culture moved to the mainland. It was called the Mycenaean civilization. – Each town ruled by king, who ruled from stone fortress – Made bronze pottery and weapons Destroyed around 1100 B.C. in the Dorian invasion

Dark Age ( B.C.) Greeks “forget” how to write, abandon cities and farming. How does that happen? Greeks from the mainland cross the Aegean Sea and settle in Ionia. Greeks in the Dark Ages told stories about the Heroes from the Mycenaean Age, such as the story of the Trojan War.

Classical Greece In 750 B.C. Greeks start using the Phoenician alphabet. Homer, a famous Greek poet composes the epic poem “Iliad” about the Trojan War. “Odyssey” describes the adventures of a Greek hero on his journey home after the war. The poems shaped Greek culture by teaching people courage, bravery, strength, and honor.

Write your name in the Phoenician Alphabet