1. Early Settlements and Myths
Minoan Civilization to The Trojan War

2. Minoan Civilization Minoan civilization rose around 2800 BC.
Crete – an island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea
First civilization in this area

4. Crete, south of the Greek Mainland

5. Worlds First Important Seafaring Civilization
Built faster ships than most to outrun pirates
Large prow at the bow of the ship

6. Minoan Culture Main god – Great Goddess - Mother Earth
Cities had no walls
Sea provided protection
Palace at Knossos
Hallways formed a labyrinth
Network of difficult paths – maze
Translates to “double axe”
“Double axe” symbol for the power of Mother Earth and king.

7. Fall of the Minoans Uncertain end of civilization, circa 1400 BC.
Myth of the Minotaur

8. Excavation of the Palace at Knossos

9. Hubris What is hubris Key concept in many Greek Tragedies.
excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance
Key concept in many Greek Tragedies.

10. Mycenaean Civilization
Greeks living on the mainland during the time of the Trojan War
Kings built fortress-like palaces on hilltops
Grew crops such as olives
Set up trading posts on nearby islands
Grew wealthy from the sale of oil from olives
By 1400 B.C. replaced Minoans as chief power.

11. Trojan War Probably took place circa mid 1200’s B.C.
Homer – blind poet who recorded the story around 700 BC.
The Iliad – story of the Mycenaean invasion of Troy (Achilles)
The Odyssey – story of Odysseus’ journey back from Troy.

12. Trireme: Greek ship during Trojan War

13. Trojan War (cont.) As the story goes…
Paris (Prince of Troy) took Helen, wife of the Mycenaean King of Sparta, Menelaus, back to Troy.
Agamemnon, King of Mycenae gathers other kings of Greece to destroy Troy.
10 years of battle pass until…

14. Trojan Horse

15. Bronze Engraving of the Trojan Horse