Geography of Greece Peninsula Hundreds of islands Fishermen, sailors, traders Farming: wheat, barley, olives, grapes Mountains Raised sheep and goats

Minoans First civilization in Greece on island of Crete Wealthy from trade Shipbuilders 1450 BC civilization collapsed from undersea earthquakes or invaders

Mycenaeans Lived in Greece around 1900 BC Leaders- the first Greek kings Center of kingdom was palace on hill Farms/estates lay beyond palace

What Mycenaeans Learned from Minoans Learned from trading shipbuilding and bronze works how to use sun and stars to guide ships Copied religion

Dark Ages B.C. Mycenaeans destroyed by earthquakes and fighting Trade slowed/poverty Forgot written language and how to make things Many Greeks left mainland for islands Dorians moved south and brought iron weapons Iron-stronger and cheaper than bronze

End of Dark Ages Began to farm and produce surplus food New way of writing learned from Phoenicians 24 letters that stood for different sounds

Colonies B.C. Greeks set up colonies in Italy, France, Spain, North Africa, and western Asia Spread Greek culture Colonies were used for trade

Polis Polis-Greek city-state Ran like a tiny country Main gathering place was hill Acropolis-fortified area on the hill, also had temples and altars Agora-open area used as a market and meeting place for debates

Greek citizenship Citizens-free native born men who owned land Could gather in agora, choose officials, pass laws vote, hold office, own property Had duty to serve in gov’t and be soldiers

Citizens as soldiers Army made of citizens called hoplites Fought on foot Carried shield, short sword, and 9 ft spear Marched in rows shoulder to shoulder Used shields to form a protective wall