1. Greece & the Trojan War
Ancient Greece

2. Essential Questions
How did geography impact early Greek civilization? How did Greek geography and the Trojan War lead to the Dark Ages of Greece?

3. Warm Up
Write down anything you know about the Trojan War.

4. Key Vocabulary
Mycenaeans- Dominated early Greece from around BC and fought in the Trojan War.
Trojan War- 10 Year War fought between the Trojans and Greeks. According to legend it was fought over the kidnapped wife Helen.
Homer - One of the most famous Greek storytellers and historians.
Iliad - Homer’s epic tale of the Trojan War.
Odyssey - Homer’s epic tale of Odysseus’ journey home after the Trojan War.
Grab a textbook and complete the map activity when finished.

5. Greek Geography Ancient Greece was not a unified country!
It is broken up into separate lands with separate motives and goals.
The Geography of Greece
What bodies of water surround Greece?
Mediterranean Sea to the south, Aegean Sea to the east, Ionian Sea to the west and Black Sea to the north
What present day countries surround Greece?
Albania, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Turkey
What is the land like in Greece?
¾ of Greece is Mountains!

6. Potential Problems from the Mountains?
Difficult to move from place to place
Not able to unite all Greeks together
Unable to from a single government
Greeks had small independent communities within their own governments
Poor Roads
Rocky soil made for poor farming and food production
Not able to have a large population

7. Why could only a small number of people live in Ancient Greece?
Only about a few million people lived in Ancient Greece.
Probably due to the fact that they could not produce enough food for more people!
What was the climate like?
It varied. Average 48 in winter and 80 in summer.

8. Assessment Prompt 1 Greek Geography
What effect can geography have on a way of life?
Think about natural barriers, mountains versus living by the sea, etc. when writing your answer.

9. Mycenaean's Dominating force in Greece from around 1600-1200 BC
They lived in Mainland Greece
They most likely invaded the island of Crete and took over the Minoans ( BC).
But, they didn’t destroy all of their ideas, they incorporated them into their lives! (They wanted to constantly learn!!)
The Mycenaean’s learned how important sea trading was from the Minoans. They traveled to Syria, Egypt, Italy, Crete, and islands in the Aegean.
Mycenaean’s also adopted Minoan writing systems and art.

10. Mycenaean Government Mycenaean society was monarchial
The monarch was called a wanax
Unlike the Minoans, though, Mycenaean kings accumulated vast wealth. The rest of society did not share in the prosperity as they did under the Minoans.
Their cities were like fortresses with massive perimeter walls.
Although the walls were for protection they also actively went looking for trouble.
The Mycenaean’s conquered Crete, other Aegean civilizations, and fought against Troy!

11. Trojan War A ten year war.
Fought between the Trojans (from Anatolia-Turkey) and the Mycenaean's.
Legend says they fought over the kidnapped wife of King Menelaus, Helen.
More than likely fought for control of shipping in the area.
Ended with the infamous “Trojan Horse.”

12. Assessment Prompt 2: A’s & B’s
You will each be given a letter (A or B). A’s will answer question number 1, while B’s will answer question number 2. These will be written in complete sentences. You will then share your answer with a person who has the opposite letter.
1. What is something the Mycenaean's learned from the Minoans?
2. What was the significance of the Trojan War?

13. Dorians Mycenaean society collapsed around 1200 BC.
The Dorians moved in to the area after the Mycenaean collapse, and are held responsible for its downfall.
What were they like?
Less advanced than the Mycenaeans.
Kept no written records during a 400 year period.
Allowed the economy to come to a standstill.
THE DARK AGES

14. Homer
During the Dark Ages of Greece, history was passed through the spoken word.
Some people believe that Homer’s epics were created between BC.
Homer was one of the most famous Greek storytellers.
He was a blind poet.
Two of his most famous works are the Iliad and the Odyssey.

15. Iliad Odyssey Heroes of the Iliad are warriors
Achilles – Greek (Fierce)
Hector of Troy – (Noble)
oS1M
Odyssey
Odysseus uses his wits to defeat the Trojans
Behind the idea of the Trojan horse
Much of the story takes place after the war
10 year journey home and the strange lands Odysseus visits along the way

16. Assessment Prompt 3
Describe in two sentences how Greek history was affected by the Dark Ages.

17. Assignment The Apple of Discord
Read the packet and complete the attached graphic organizer.

18. Reflection
How did geography impact early Greek civilization? How did Greek geography and the Trojan War lead to the Dark Ages of Greece? Consider the following in your answer:
What are some of the differences between the Mycenaeans and the Dorians?
Why might the Dorians not be considered a civilization?
What role did geography play (think about the Trojan War was most likely fought over)?