+ Greek Civilization

+ ANCIENT GREECE Region of isolated valleys, hills, small plains, peninsulas, and islands Sea formed its focal point

+ Greece also benefited from its position on the edge of the civilized world Far enough away to escape domination by the various Middle Eastern Empires but close enough to absorb the rich culture of its eastern neighbors

+ The earliest Greeks… Either were Neolithic farmers who migrated from Asia Minor around 3000 BC Or were an Indo-European tribe from southern Russia who migrated into the region around 2300 BC In either case, when people did arrive in the peninsula, they soon came into contact with an already civilized people who lived on the nearby island of Crete The Minoans

+ The Minoans at Crete Minoan civilization developed as early as 3000 BC Lasted nearly 2,000 years Minoan ships sailed over Aegean Sea, possibly farther’ Important trade and commerce Colonies established on dozens of Aegean islands Ships filled with trade goods sailed back and forth between Crete and her colonies Excavations at Knossos

+ The decline… Much history of Minoan civilization result of guesswork, speculation – Historians cannot read Minoans’ writing, Linear A. – Does not appear to be related to languages of mainland Greece Until writing deciphered, most knowledge will come from art, objects Minoan civilization fell apart rather suddenly, possibly from disaster. – Large eruption of volcanic island near Crete may have affected worldwide weather patterns. – Damage to Minoan ports, crops may have weakened society Minoans conquered by warlike Mycenaeans

+ The Mycenaeans… The Mycenaean States Myceaneans built small kingdoms, often fought with each other Name comes from fortress, Mycenae Minoan Influences Mycenaeans traded with Minoans, copied writing Became great traders Trade increased after they conquered Crete First Greeks Mycenaeans considered first Greeks, spoke form of Greek language Earliest kingdoms owed much to Minoans Mycenaean Differences Society dominated by intense competition, frequent warfare, powerful kings Kings taxed trade, farming to build palaces, high walls

+ The Mycenaean age… BC Had some contact with Minoan civilization by at least 1600 BC Typical of the very warlike, semi- barbarian cultures that extended over most of Europe Only difference was that contact with Minoans gradually ameliorated some of their barbarism and allowed them to develop a more sophisticated culture

+ Civilization emerges… Assimilation of Minoan culture was complete by 1400 BC About the time that they invade and destroyed Crete Took the place of Minoans as commercial middlemen between civilized Middle East and barbarian Europe

+ Mycenaean Strengths and Downfall…. Mycenaean Strength To show off strength, Mycenaeans built great monuments like Lion’s Gate Kings’ constant quest for power, glory inspired legends Most famous, story of Trojan War Trojan War War supposedly involved early Greeks, led by Mycenae, who fought powerful city called Troy, in what is now Turkey War may not have happened, but ruins of city believed to be Troy found Downfall War played part in end of Mycenaean civilization, as did drought, famine By end of 1100s BC, Mycenaean cities mostly in ruins; dark age followed Greek civilization almost disappeared

ORAL LITERARY TRADITION Dark Age was the firm establishment of an oral tradition that recounted a glorious and heroic past Thanks to wandering minstrels Tradition would culminate with the magnificent epic poems of Homer Iliad and Odyssey Composed at the end of the Dark Age

EPIC POEMS All epic poems have common theme Recounting the deeds of superhuman heroes of earlier times Served function of providing a legendary history which explained how people got where they were and why Greek epic poems had developed the plots of the siege of Troy and various Heracles legends in centuries before Homer Wandering poets used these basic plots but embellished them in order to appeal to their particular audience Heracles

WORLD OF THE ILIAD AND ODYSSEY In terms of values and attitudes, Homer was describing the late Dark Age Imposed values, attitudes, and motivations of his own age on historical characters World he described was made up of tiny, autonomous political units Each self-sufficient and inward- looking Each ruled by a chieftain Main job was to protect his people from constant outside aggression Mask of Agamemnon, king of Argos

VALUES Chieftains were military men par excellence The values they prized most highly were military virtues Physical strength, endurance, bravery, selflessness Any sign of weakness opened the door to his neighbors to take advantage of him Explains almost childish sensitivity of Homer’s heroes to insults and their war-like behavior.

The Greek Spirit… People’s deeds are subject to the demands of fate…”actions must have their consequences.” The development of the idea of excellence (arete’): Thought and action go hand in hand. Development of humanism (the concern with man’s achievements)

Greek City-States A new type of society emerged in Greece in the 800s BC. The society was centered on the polis, or city-state. Each polis developed independently, with its own form of government, laws and customs.