Geography of Greece By Mark Spiconardi Geography of

Geography of Greece By Mark Spiconardi

Geography of Greece • Based on these maps, what are two things we know about Greece’s geography? – Surrounded by the sea – Mostly mountainous

Mountainous Terrain • Mountains cover 75% of Greece • Difficult to unite of all Greece – Hard to communicate – Travel was difficult • Small independent and culturally diverse city-states form – Polis Greek city-state (Athens, Sparta, Corinth)

Mountainous Terrain • Only 20% of the land is arable – Arable Land that is suitable for farming • Not enough food to support a large population • Crops included grain, grapes, and olives – How would Greece have to support its growing populations? • Answer: Expand & Colonize other territories

The Sea • Greece is a both a peninsula and an archipelago – Archipelago series of islands • Surrounded by the Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas – Almost all settlements within 85 miles of the coast • Relied on sea for transportation & food • Irregular coastline makes Greece ideal for trading posts

History & Origins of the Greeks • The Minoans – Earliest Greek culture (2800 BCE) – Location: Crete – Thalossocracy “Sea power” • Dominated the region through trade – Never governed mainland Greece » But culture heavily influences development of Greece

History & Origins of the Greeks The Minoans • Snake Goddess • Sign of fertility (particularly in Egypt) • Chief deity – Matriarchal? • Knossus – Frescoes • Bull Jumping – Labyrinth Myth • Place was designed like a labyrinth • Evidence of human sacrifice

History & Origins of the Greeks • Mycenaeans – Location: Mycenae (Southern Greece) • City was protected by a citadel w/20 -foot thick wall – Government • From Mycenae, a warrior-king controlled the surrounding villages including Athens

The Citadel of Mycenae

History & Origins of the Greeks • Mycenaens – Contact with the Minoans (c. 1500 BCE) • Developed seafaring trade • Adapted Minoan writing to Greek language • Laid foundations for Greek religion, art, and literature • Trojan War – Evidence suggest a real war between Greece & the independent Anatolian city of Troy took place • Exact nature of war is unknown

History & Origins of the Greeks • The Dorians – The Dorian Invasion (1100 – 950 BCE) • Location: North of Mt. Olympus (modern Macedonia • They pillaged their way down to Peloponnesus and took over Mycenae – Government • Organized in tribes • Ruled by kings and aristocratic councils

History & Origins of the Greeks • The Dark Ages – Dorians were not as advanced as the Mycenaeans – Written records disappear until 750 BCE • Little is known about Greek history from 1150 - 750 BCE, hence the Dark Ages • “Black” Athens? – Historian Martin Bernal argues that the influence of Egypt on Greek culture has been underestimated • In turn, the role of Africa in the development of Western culture has been ignored