Geography of Ancient Greece

The Size Greece occupied about 45,000 square miles– about the size of Louisiana Many islands Spread culture through colonization

The Sea Greece is a Peninsula surrounded by water Aegean Sea (to the East) Ionian Sea (to the West) Black Sea (to the North-West) Mediterranean Sea (to the South) Trade was imperative because Greece was not rich in natural resources.

The Land Mountains covered 75% of Greece Mount Olympus (highest, home of Greek Gods) Made for difficult travel, but good protection Fertile Valleys covered 25% and made for the living areas known as city-states Not enough fresh-water to feed a large population (only about 2 million people)

The Climate Moderate temperatures Only rains in winter Led to outdoor living Agora (marketplace) Gymnasium Political meetings Theatre Religious ceremonies Participation in city-states was a DUTY & a VIRTUE

The Bronze Age Island Life Mainland Life Minoan Life Mycenaean Life Trojan War

Minoan Society On Island of Crete (to the South) Height of power from 2000-1400 BC Lived a prosperous life from trade Evidence that women shared social equality

Minoan’s No use of Greek language or religion but influenced Greece Made contact with advanced Egypt and mainland Greece The cause for the end of Minoan Civilization is debated Some historians claim a tsunami triggered by a volcanic eruption on a nearby island Most however believe it was due to invasion by the Mycenaeans

Mycenaean Society Lived on Mainland of Greece Flourished from 1600-1200 B.C. Migrated from India, Egypt, and other lands Walled-cities for protection Most were farmers living outside of walls Commercial network selling pottery spread from Syria to Italy

Mycenaean Warriors Prided themselves on heroic deeds in battle. Evidence of battle through Homer’s poetry Enormous wealth from war/ plunder & trade– even indoor plumbing

Trojan War Famous Mycenaean War Happened around 1200 B.C. Trojan prince had taken Helen, wife of a Greek king. Trojan Horse

Dark Ages Dorians Homer Arete The Olympics Religion/ Mythology A Mycenaean Death Mask

Dorian Migration Mycenaean Society was destroyed by invaders around 1200 B.C. From 1150-750 B.C., distant relatives known as the Dorians settled there. They destroyed trade and lost all writing (causing the term “Dark Ages”) Many Greeks left mainland and moved to Ionia

End of Dark Ages Iron replaces bronze and for weapons and farming tools Phoenician alphabet (24 letters) is adopted and makes learning to read and write easier Homer’s work appears

Homer The most famous “bard” during the Dark Ages. Children had to memorize his work as a way of learning history. Explained that Greek society was based on agriculture and warrior-aristocracy controlled the wealth and the power. Stories carried values that will be appreciated through the times, “that virtue is better policy than vice.”-- Odyssey

The Iliad Story of Trojan War The Slaying of Hector

The Odyssey Story of a Odysseus, a hero’s journey home

Arete To Strive for excellence, show courage, and win fame and honor It is won in a struggle or contest to protect family, friends, or your own honor/ reputation Homer the Greeks a model of Arete through his epics

The Olympics Competition took place in Olympia every four years, beginning in 776 B.C. Lasted 5 days Halted all wars Winners crowned with a wreath of olive leaves Real prize was Arete

Mount Olympus

Gods and Goddesses

Gods and Goddesses Very human, with human emotions, but immortal Gathered at Mount Olympus MYTHS – stories about gods intended to explain mysteries of nature and human existence Religion was closely linked to government and polis’ pride.