Early People of the Aegean Crete Early civilization

Early People of the Aegean • Crete • Early civilization • Later influenced Greeks

Section 1: Early People of the Aegean Minoans Trade & Prosper • Minoans – Lived on Crete – Trade not conquest Frescoes �Minoan civilization Knossos peaked 1600 bc 1500 bc

Minoans Frescoes: watercolor paintings done on wet plaster; Covered walls of Knossos • 1400 bc, Minoan civilization vanished Sea was very important

Section 1: Early People of the Aegean Continued… • Mycenaeans – First Greekspeaking people (written record) – Invaders of Minoans �Dominated Aegean world 1400 bc-1200 bc �Sea Traders

Around 1250 bc The Trojan War • Started as rivalry between Mycenaean & Troy • Most widely known for the Greek legend of Paris, Helen, and the Trojan horse • After 10 years of battle, the Greeks finally seized Troy and burned it to the ground

• Not long after Trojan war, Mycenaens were attacked from sea raiders & Dorians (from the North) • People abandoned cities • Trade declined • Greek civilization stepped backwards Greece’s Dark ages 1100 bc-900 bc

Homer and the Great Legends of Greece • Homer was a blind poet that wandered singing great epics • 750 bc • Much of what we know of Trojan War & life during these times

The Iliad. The Odyssey • Trojan War – Chief source of info • Full of gods & goddesses • Achilles, withdrew from battle because he was insulted by his commander �Struggles of Greek hero Odysseus on his return home to his wife Penelope after fall of Troy �Encounters sea monster, one-eyed giants, & a beautiful sorceress Epics reveal values of ancient Greeks Heroes display honor, courage, & eloquence

Section 2: The Rise of Greek City-States • Balkan Peninsula • Extends into the Mediterranean Sea • Comprised of hundreds of rocky islands • Greeks developed polis or city -states Ancient Greeks didn’t have a large empire A collection of city-states (Fiercely defended independence, frequent wars)

Geography Shapes Greece • Mountains separated city-states but seas linked them to outside world • Skilled sailors – They traded olive oil, wine, and marble for grains and metals. • The Greeks adapted ideas from other civilizations – Alphabet from the Phoenicians

Governing City-States • 750 bc, rapid population growth & Greeks expanded – On top of the city was the acropolis, or high city. Temples dedicated to the gods and goddesses were located here. – Beneath the acropolis was the marketplace and homes

Governing City-States • Citizens shared a sense of responsibility • Free men spent much time in marketplace debating • Whole community joined festivals honoring gods/goddesses • Male landowners held all political power Types of Government

Governing City-States Types of Government • Monarchy- A hereditary ruler with central powers. • Aristocracy- Rule by hereditary landowning elite. • Oligarchy- Power is in the hands of a small wealthy elite.

Warfare • 650 bc, iron weapons replaced bronze – Cheaper – Ordinary citizens could afford weapons, shields, helmets, etc. • Phalanx – Tactical military formation with armed foot soldiers