Bellringer What are some American values? Think of things that everyone agrees are good, like “fairness”

Agenda The First Greeks Foundations of Greek Culture Ancient Greek Values

Objectives Students will be able to… 36. Identify the foundations of Greek values and culture, including the Minoans and Mycenaeans.

Objective #36 Ancient Greece Most historians consider Ancient Greece to be the foundation of our culture today Understanding Ancient Greece is essential for understanding ourselves But where did Ancient Greek culture come from?

The First Greeks

The Minoans Civilization based on the island of Crete Capital at Knossos

Where is Ancient Greece?

Where is Crete?

Minoan Civilization Named after King Minos You read about him… Dominant in Mediterranean trade from 2000 to 1400 BCE Not quite Greek, but Greek-like

Palace at Knossos

Grand Staircase

Theater

6 miles of interlocking pipes to bring water from the mountain Plumbing 6 miles of interlocking pipes to bring water from the mountain

Art (frescos)

Minoans Collapse Recover from disaster in 1700 BCE Can’t recover from earthquakes and volcanic eruption in 1470 BCE Probably invaded from mainland Greece

Cultural Diffusion! Minoans trade throughout Mediterranean Mainland Greece (Europe) Asia Minor Egypt Spread pottery techniques, religion, and maybe language

Then, the Mycenaeans Nomads settle in Greece, borrow cultural ideas from the Minoans, and probably invade Crete Mycenaeans Take over Mediterranean trade Fall to nomadic invaders around 1200 BCE

The Mycenaeans

Before they die… The Mycenaeans create Greek culture Language Religion/mythology Art and literature They also fight the Trojan War

What are some similarities between the Mycenaeans and Minoans? Pre-Greek Civilizations Both conquered Both dominated Mediterranean trade

Foundations of Greek Culture

Stories Greek culture is based on stories Mythology, stories about the world, the gods, and the past The Homeric Epics (Iliad and Odyssey), stories about heroes About what it means to be Greek

Homeric Epics Epic = long poem about a hero, important to a culture Homer = probable author, lived around 750 BCE Events took place around 1250 BCE (the Mycenaean time)

The Iliad A story about the Trojan War A prince (Paris) from Troy in Asia Minor captures Helen, the beautiful wife of a Greek king A huge Greek army attacks Troy, led by Agamemnon, the king of Mycenae How big was the army?

The Iliad After 10 years surrounding the city, the Greeks trick their way into Troy and destroy the city How? Learn a lot about what Greeks wanted in heroes and leaders

The Odyssey After winning the Trojan War, a Greek king named Odysseus tries to go home, but angers the gods It takes him 10 years and many trials to reach his wife and son Learn about Greek life at home, what they value in husbands and fathers

The Odyssey Some of Odysseus’ trials Circe, who turns men into animals Cannibals The Sirens’ call A visit to Hades Cyclopes Scylla and Charybdis

Not Just Stories Homeric epics are more than stories, they are history Everything was bigger and everyone was stronger and better This shapes how Greeks view themselves and what they value

What qualities of the Iliad and Odyssey make it an epic poem? They both have a hero Both display important Greek values Both still part of Greek culture

Lion’s Gate

Cyclopean Walls

Ancient Greek Values

Greek Values Respect the gods Family Arete (valor or virtue) Agon (competition) Kleos aphthiton (undying glory)

Respect the Gods The gods are like high schoolers Jealous Petty Easily angered And they hold grudges Don’t make them angry, or you will pay Myths tell you how to act Rule #5

The Tale of Croesus Herodotus: the world’s first historian Croesus: the king of Lydia, the most powerful kingdom in Western Asia

Where is Lydia? Persia Lydia Greece

The Oracles Oracles can see the future Most famous oracle was at Delphi Locals will allow you to ask questions of the oracle…for a price Treasury of the Athenians at Delphi

Oracle at Delphi

A Mighty Empire Falls The Lydian Empire!

A Mule is Monarch It was Cyrus! “the mule cited in the oracle is Cyrus himself, who was born from parents of different peoples and different social stations.”

The Lessons Oracles are vague and must be interpreted carefully Hubris (excessive pride) will bring you down

Mr. Poth’s Rule of World History #6 If you act like you can’t lose, you will

Family Loyal to their family and friends, welcome guests as temporary family members Examples: Greeks fight for 10 years to get Helen back in the Iliad, led by Helen’s husband’s brother Odysseus travels for 10 years to return home to his wife, who remains faithful

Arete Your value or worth, your moral excellence Examples: Warriors and athletes honored in the Iliad and Odyssey Celebration of Odysseus’ and Penelope’s intelligence

Agon Competition or conflict, whether in sport, battle, or conversation. The Greeks love to compete Examples: Constant athletic challenges throughout the Iliad and Odyssey Olympic Games

Kleos Aphthiton Undying glory – the ultimate goal for the Ancient Greeks was to be remembered forever Examples: Achilles (Iliad): you know how he died Kings trying to be the most powerful Olympic athletes Spartan warriors