Geography and Early Greece

How did geography influence Ancient Greek Civilization? Essential Question

The geography of Ancient Greece influenced the economical, social and political aspects of Greek civilization

Geography

Environmental Factors These 3 factors influenced Greek Civilization Seas Land Climate Environmental Factors

Geography-The Seas Greece is surrounded by 3 seas Aegean Ionian Black Think-Pair-Share: How do these seas affect the lifestyle of the Greeks?

Geography-The Seas Think-Pair-Share: How did these seas affect the lifestyle of the Greeks? All important for trade because Greece lacked natural resources.

Geography-The Land Greece consists of Peninsulas Islands Mountains-that divide up the land, which makes it difficult for Greece to unite under one government. Think-Pair-Share: How did the mountains affect the lifestyle of Greece?

Geography-The Land Greece consists of Peninsulas, Islands, & Mountains-that divide up the land, which makes it difficult for Greece to unite under one government. Think-Pair-Share: How did the mountains affect the lifestyle of Greece? People united into smaller communities, eventually city-states. Only 20% of Greece’s land was suitable for farming. Never able to support a large population City-States colonized other lands more suitable for farming

Geography-Climate The climate in Greece is fairly moderate Winters average 48 degrees Summers average 80 degrees Think-Pair-Share: How does the climate affect the lifestyle of the Greeks?

Geography-Climate The climate in Greece is fairly moderate Winters average 48 degrees Summers average 80 degrees Think-Pair-Share: How does the climate affect the lifestyle of the Greeks? Moderate temperatures allow for an outdoor lifestyle with public events and gatherings  

Early Greece

The Minoans (2000-1400 B.C.E) The Minoans: Pre-Greek civilization on island of Crete Seafarers and traders Finest painted pottery of that time Famous legend of King Minos and the Minotaur Mysterious end

The Mycenaeans (1600-1100 B.C.E) The Mycenaeans: People from city of Mycenae on island of Peloponnesus Invade Crete and adopt Minoan culture Recognize importance of seaborne trade Minoan writing system Painted with Minoan designs

The Trojan War (1200 B.C.E.) The Trojan War: A 10 year war between the Mycenaeans and the city of Troy The war was previously thought of as a legend, but archaeological evidence suggests that the war was based on real cities, people, and events. Historians believe that the story of Helen is false. Instead, historians believe that the Mycenaeans were fighting over a waterway.

The Dorians or the Dark Age of Greece (1100-800 B.C.E.) The Dorians: group of early Greeks who settled in Mycenae Considered less advanced than the Mycenaeans No trade No written records

Homer Homer was considered the greatest storyteller of his time. Known for epics The Iliad and The Odyssey Because of the lack of writing, oral traditions and storytelling became important. Stories and traditions needed to be passed down some way

Mythology

Mythology Mythology: polytheistic religion that was a set of myths and stories about Greek gods Greek mythology served 3 purposes: understand and explain natural phenomena understand and explain human qualities understand explain life events The Greeks attributed human characteristics to their gods love, hate, human jealousy Greek mythology influenced symbols, images, art, and architecture in Western civilization This was how they explained the life around them