Minoans and Phoenicians

The Importance of Trade As was the case with Buddhism, trade between regions was important in the transfer of ideas from the Near East (Middle East) to area on the edges of Europe (in the Mediterranean Sea) As was the case with Buddhism, trade between regions was important in the transfer of ideas from the Near East (Middle East) to area on the edges of Europe (in the Mediterranean Sea) This trade will have a profound effect on Europe in the short term and the lager world in the long term This trade will have a profound effect on Europe in the short term and the lager world in the long term

The Minoans The dominant sea faring people of the 2 nd century B.C.E. were the Minoans from the island of Crete The dominant sea faring people of the 2 nd century B.C.E. were the Minoans from the island of Crete The Minoans became an important “stepping stone” for the eventual migration toward Greece The Minoans became an important “stepping stone” for the eventual migration toward Greece The Minoans are named for King Minos (who kept the Minotaur in a labyrinth) The Minoans are named for King Minos (who kept the Minotaur in a labyrinth)

Minoans created beautiful works of art. Minoans created beautiful works of art. Minoan culture will never be fully understood because it came to a sudden end. Minoan culture will never be fully understood because it came to a sudden end. Historians debate what caused the civilization's demise, but it seems to be tied to a natural disaster – may have been an earthquake or tsunami associated with Santorini Island Historians debate what caused the civilization's demise, but it seems to be tied to a natural disaster – may have been an earthquake or tsunami associated with Santorini Island

Rise of the Phoenicians As the Minoans disappear, the Phoenicians take their place as the pre-eminent trading force in the Mediterranean Sea As the Minoans disappear, the Phoenicians take their place as the pre-eminent trading force in the Mediterranean Sea Phoenicians were master ship builders Phoenicians were master ship builders They are said to have traveled to Britain and around the coast of Africa nearly 2,500 years before anyone else They are said to have traveled to Britain and around the coast of Africa nearly 2,500 years before anyone else Phoenicia founded many colonies along the coast of the Mediterranean (Carthage) Phoenicia founded many colonies along the coast of the Mediterranean (Carthage)

The Alphabet Because the Phoenicians were so involved in trading one of their most important legacies was the creation of an alphabet Because the Phoenicians were so involved in trading one of their most important legacies was the creation of an alphabet Letters were needed to form communication to keep transactions straight. Letters were needed to form communication to keep transactions straight.

Assignment To understand just how significant trade is, think about how trade has effected your life To understand just how significant trade is, think about how trade has effected your life List some of the products, holidays, music, and literature that have been included in your life, and explain the influence they have had on your everyday life List some of the products, holidays, music, and literature that have been included in your life, and explain the influence they have had on your everyday life