Ancient GREECE 2000 B.C. to 500 B.C. A Brief Introduction

Standards SS 6.4 Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the early civilization of ancient Greece.

Greece: Basic Geography Greece is a peninsula that sits in the Mediterranean region of the world. This region sits near Europe, Africa and Asia. This peninsula is surrounded by the Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas. Greece is also composed of small islands that are close to the peninsula.

The Minoans: The 1 st Civilization of the Region This group of people were known as the Minoans, they settled on the island of Crete and were led by King Minos. King Minos shows up in Greek Mythology. He is the King who traps his “son” into a labyrinth and offers young men and women to please the gods. They vanish from historical record around 1400 B.C.

Geography of Greece: Creation of a Distinct Culture The peninsula that forms Greece has a series of splintering peninsulas, isthmuses and islands that make it a rugged terrain. Here, the land is rocky and mountainous. No real arable land and not easily connected with a network of roads. This geographic isolation helped local regions create distinct identities.

Mediterranean Culture The Greeks were expert sailors, fishermen and traders. They did this out of necessity. To travel about, you needed boats. To eat, they harvested the bounty of the seas. To find additional resources, the Greeks had to travel abroad and trade.

Adapting to the Geography The rocky land and Mediterranean climate, little rain and dry hot summers made it difficult for the Greeks to grow much. Since less than 25% of Greece has usable land, the Greeks learned not to rely on grains for a bulk of their food stuffs. They grew crops such as grapes and olives. Prolific vines and trees with large harvests and multiple uses.

Early Rule: The Mycenaeans & Dorians 2000 B.C., groups of early Greeks begin to migrate to the north and form kingdoms. Writing systems begins to emerge. Influenced by the Mycenaeans of the Peloponnesian Peninsula. They ruled by a monarchy. Here, one man ruled the region B.C., the Dorians conquer the Mycenaeans and the shifting tide for dominant rule begins.

The Trojan War Mycenaean culture was preserved/maintained by the Ionians. Trojan War was initiated over a man named Paris and a maiden named Helen of Troy. A war fought for 10 years over the capture of this young woman of incredible beauty. A blind poet named Homer tells the story of this epic war.

Greek City-States Greek City-States are formed. No longer ruled by Kings. The City-State is referred to as Polis. Polis is the root for the word “politic,” the art and practice of government. Greek City-States were governed by the citizens. City-States/Polises were governed by rules created by the citizens. Serves as the early model of modern government.

Greek Society Because of limited resources, extreme levels of wealth could not be attained. Divided levels led to a division of labor and skills. These levels did have a place within their society and were accepted as “normal” for the time. The society was divided into 4 levels. Aristocrats Small Farmers Merchants and Artisans Slave

Greek Family The Greek Family: Men and Women had defined roles and expectations. Men ruled the household and had public duties. Woman managed the home and the children Children were valued and an important part to the continuation of the Polis. Children had a basic education. Boys were allowed formal studies til the age of 18. Women held varying roles within Greek society. Some held duties within the home, arts, community, and other areas.

Greek Trade and Expansion Commerce and Trade Greeks sailed about the open seas and traded goods with foreign lands. New goods and gold made the Greeks wealthy and powerful. Conquest and Expansion Trade was acceptable, but as they grew in wealth and power, they used force to seize new resources, territories and peoples to grow. New lands meant expansion. Colonies were put in place and officials were appointed to rule in the name of the nation.