Ancient Greece : Geography and Early Greeks Key Terms: Polis Acropolis What countries and bodies of water surround Greece?

The Geography of Greece Greece is a peninsula with many smaller peninsulas branching off the mainland. Greece is also made up of many islands. Much of Greece is dominated by mountains that run to the sea. Greece is located in Europe. Rocky coasts made farming difficult and made people settle in villages that were isolated from one another.

Trade with Greece Greeks took to the sea for transportation and communication. The Greeks became skilled shipbuilders and sailors. As the Greeks traveled, they found sources of food and other products they needed to survive. How is the way the Greeks found food to survive different with that of the Mesopotamians, Egyptians, or Indians?

The Minoans The Minoans were one of the first cultures to develop in Greece. It developed on the island of Crete. Minoans traded wood, olive oil, and pottery for copper, gold, silver, and jewels. What do you notice about the Minoan pottery? Minoans aren’t considered to be Greek. The Minoan culture collapsed when a giant wave flooded Crete.

The Mycenaeans The Mycenaeans were the first people to speak Greek. Mycenaeans built fortresses all over the Greek mainland. They were aggressive and often attacked other kingdoms to get what they needed. The Mycenaeans culture declined when earthquakes destroyed many cities.

Greeks Create City- States After the fall of the Mycenaeans, the Greeks began to join together for protection. They formed polis, or city-states. A city-state is a political unit that consists of a city and the surrounding countryside.

Life in a City-State The city-states were built around a strong fortress called an acropolis. The town around the acropolis was surrounded by walls for protection. Life in the city was focused around the marketplace, or agora, where goods were sold, meetings were held, and religious assemblies took place. City-state residents were EXPECTED to take part in its economy and government.

Greeks Colonize Greece Greeks became worried and curious and began to branch out all over Europe. Some cities around the Mediterranean Sea that exist today began as Greek colonies. These cities include Istanbul, Marseille, and Naples. City-states became richer through trade. Greeks and city-states traded olives, wine, copper, and iron.