1. Ancient Greece Geography And Economy

2. The Seas Surrounding
Greece is a peninsula and thus surrounded by water on three sides.
It was these seas and the trade opportunities that were a “pull” factor in bringing people to live here.

3. The Greek Land Greece itself is filled with “push” factors:
First of all, Greece is very mountainous; Mount Olympus (home of the gods) is the highest peak.
Their land is not good for growing grain but it is great for growing olives and grapes.
Sheep and goats were the primary domesticated animals.
There is no major river valley. Greece is the world’s first major civilization NOT on a river valley!
The islands, peninsulas and mountains impeded transportation and communication, so city-states began to spring up in isolation and the Greeks never unite as one.

5. Review
What was a big pull factor in bringing people to the peninsulas of Greece?
What were some of the geographic features that impeded the diffusion of Greek culture and the unification of the Greek people?
What were two items that could be harvested despite the mountainous terrain?
Why was Greece unique, compared to other early civilizations?

6. Geography determines Economy
The Greeks scarcity was in what?
fresh water/farmland
Their productive resources were what?
human labor, and what nature “endowed” them with such as
grapes, olives, goats and sheep

7. Geography determines Economy
From these resources the Greeks made products they could export such as what?
wine, olive oil, and pottery
They imported what their geography did not allow for such as…
…grains and other planted crops.
This results in interdependence and new markets where two civilizations are dependent on each other.

8. Geography determines Economy
For example, the Greeks colonized Asia Minor.
They settle this land in order to acquire farmland.
Another example is Athens and Sparta.
Athens, located near the water will have an economy based on trade and will have a strong navy.
Sparta, more land-locked will have a land base economy and a strong army.

9. Greek Culture Spreads Cultural diffusion - the spreading of one culture to another culture through trade/interaction.
Here are two examples:
Through TRADE the Greeks adopted the Phoenician alphabet which they used to develop the Greek alphabet which later became our alphabet. The Phoenicians were their trade partners.
Alexander the Great is famous for spreading Greek culture throughout his empire as well! However, he is spreading the culture through WAR and conquest not peaceful trade.

10. Phoenician alphabet on the left; Greek on the right

11. Review
What productive resources did the Greeks specialize in and export? Also, explain how the exports were based on their geography.
Why did the Greeks have to import large amounts of grain and where did they acquire it?
How did geography result in major differences between Athens and Sparta?
Give an example of Greek cultural diffusion.