1. Early People of the Aegean
Chapter 4, Section 1

2. I) Minoans and Mycenaeans shape early Greek civilizations
A) Minoans
Lived on Crete
Traded; set up posts throughout Aegean
Rulers lived in a palace at Knossos
Vanished around 1400 B.C.
Why? – See page 115
Volcano, earthquake, Mycenaeans

3. B) Mycenaeans (1400 BC-1200 BC)
First Greek-speaking people
Sea traders
Lived in city states
Fought in Trojan War against Troy

4. II) The Trojan War Long thought to be legend
Evidence of the war was found in 1870’s dating to 1250 BC
Two epic poems by Homer enhance our understanding of the Trojan war:
Iliad – tells of the Trojan War and the adventures of Achillles, the mightiest Greek Warrior
Odyssey – tells of Odysseus’ struggle as he tries to return home after war

5. III) After the Mycenaean civilization
Greece passed several centuries in obscurity
People lived in small, isolated villages
A NEW Greek civilization would emerge to dominate the region and influence the world……….

6. The Rise of Greek City States
Chapter 4, Section 2

7. I) Geography of Greece Mountains created valleys
Hundreds of rocky islands off of coasts
Independent city-states formed in these isolated islands and valleys
Rivalries between city-states often led to war

8. Map Activity: Ancient Greece

9. Greeks built cities on two levels, with an acropolis on the top of a hill and a walled main city below.
The citizens, or free residents, of cities, shared responsibilities and debated ideas.
Male landowners held all of the political power.

10. Different forms of government evolved in Greece between 750 B. C
Different forms of government evolved in Greece between 750 B.C. and 500 B.C.
aristocracy:
rule by a hereditary landholding elite
oligarchy:
a government in which power is in the hands of a small, wealthy elite
monarchy:
a hereditary ruler exercises central power

11. As forms of government evolved, new warfare methods also emerged.
- Affordable iron weapons replaced bronze, increasing the power of the middle class.
- Soldiers trained to fight in a phalanx, and this training created unity.

12. Phalanx warfare put defense of a city-state into the hands of ordinary citizens.
At the same time, it led to two influential city-states developing different ways of life.
Sparta stressed military virtues and strong discipline.
Athens glorified the individual and extended rights to more citizens.