Early Ancient Greece Geography

Physically, Greece is a land of rough mountains, narrow valleys, and no navigable rivers. However, it has a long coastline with many inlets and bays. The combination of physical features had several effects on Greek character and history.

The Aegean Sea and the neighboring Ionian and Black seas united the Greek people. The “watery ways.” As the Greek poet Homer called them, were the links between most parts of Greece.

Sea travel was also a link with other societies Sea travel was also a link with other societies. Even in small ships and without compasses, Greek sailors could go from one island to another to reach the older, rich civilizations of Asia and Egypt. Sea travel and trade were important because Greece itself was poor in resources

About three fourths of Greece is covered with mountains, the highest of which is Mount Olympus, the towering, snow-capped “home of the gods.”

Rugged terrain made transportation difficult Rugged terrain made transportation difficult. For example, the city state of Sparta was only about 60 miles from Olympia, the site of the Olympic Games. Yet it took Spartans nearly a week to travel the distance.

The mountains significantly influenced Greek political life The mountains significantly influenced Greek political life. It was very difficult to unite the country under one government. Therefore the Greeks were content to live in a collection of small independent communities.

Greece was never able to feed a large population Greece was never able to feed a large population. It is estimated that no more than 2 million people lived in ancient Greece at one time.

Fruits and vegetables could grown in only a few places Fruits and vegetables could grown in only a few places. Meat was rare because the country lacked grasslands to feed large herds of cattle or flocks of sheep. The three principal Greek crops were grains, grapes and olives.

Ancient Greek Diet Breakfast: Bread Dipped in Wine Wine was the main drink. Milk was not drank that was considered barbaric Lunch: Bread Dipped in Wine with olives, figs, cheese or dried fish Supper: Vegetables, fruit, fish, honey cakes Note: Beef was very Expensive and Rare

Ancient Egypt Diet Wealthy had a greater variety of food choices, the poor had little choice Main Drinks: Beer Wine Ate a lot of vegetables such as; lentils, lettuce, peas, cucumbers, onions and radishes Variety of breads Variety of fruits including; dates, melons, pomegranates, apricots Variety of meats including; cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs

Greece has a Mediterranean climate Greece has a Mediterranean climate. Temperatures are moderate, and rain falls only in winter.

The Greek way of life, at least for men, was an outdoor life The Greek way of life, at least for men, was an outdoor life. Men spent almost all their leisure time at the agora, or marketplace, at the gymnasium, in political meetings, and the theater, and at civic and religious celebrations. All these public events took place outdoors.

Across the southern end of the Aegean Sea lies the largest of the Greek islands, Crete. Here an elegant civilization flourished from about 2000 to 1400 BC. Scholars call it Minoan after Minos, a legendary king of Crete