Early Greece Greek History from the Minoans to the Trojan War

Geography Smaller area Mountains and the Sea Isolation along the Peninsula Peloponnesus

Minoan Civilization Bronze Age civilization Discovered by Arthur Evans Named after King Minos

Minoan remains

Knossos Remains revealed a rich and prosperous culture. Remains illustrated a trading society with few military fortifications. Made contact with Greek mainland and Egypt. Egyptian influence was heavy.

Height of Minoans About BCE Wrote in an undeciphered language called Linear A. Elaborate frescoes with bright colors demonstrating a love nature. Taxes paid to the king in wine and oil

Fall of Minoans Shrouded in mystery Earthquake/Tsunami? War with Mycenae?

Mycenaean Greeks Name derived from a fortified site excavated by Heinrich Schliemann. Center of their civilization. Part of Indo- European Groups

Mycenae Fortified walls Treasury Society based on war Led by Warrior aristocracy

Warrior Aristocracy Based on Homeric writings/stories? Intercine warfare Greek Ideal

Mycenaens tradition of War: *Very evident in their art *Inward then outward *Heroic time in Ancient Greece

The Legendary Trojan War: *One of our most enduring myths *Combines brains/brawn *Epitomizes Ancient Greece

How the war began? *Cornerstone of Greek Mythology *Oral traditions

The Horse: The Greatest Myth of Ancient Greece

Trojan Horse

Image of Helen and Paris

Contributions of Homer? *Illiad *Odyssey *artistic representation of Achilles

Players in the Trojan War? Achilles Hector Agamemmnon Ajax Menaleus Zeus Tithes Paris Helen Athena Aphrodite Hera

The Kidnap of Helen:

Departure of Hector:

Mycenaean decline Unknown at the present Likely attributed to intercine warfare Also probable was invasion by “Dorian Greeks” that wreaked havoc on their citadels. Collapsed by 1100 BCE

Greek Dark Ages Farming and learning collapse Greeks migrating throughout region B.C.E Writings of Homer Trojan War Historical Homer and its pitfalls.

Iliad and Odyssey Iliad a narrative on Achilles and how his wrath led to disaster. Odyssey: epic romance that recounts the journey home of Odysseus after the fall of Troy.

Homer as parable Does it deal with the heroes of the Mycenaean Age or the tragic conditions of the Dark Ages. Homer’s writing speaks of agricultural woes during a time ruled by ruthless aristocrats. Greeks and the “ideal” “my father was anxious to see me develop into a good man and as a means he compelled me to memorize Homer”.