Location and Geography of the Greeks Geography Greece

Location and Geography of the Greeks

Geography • Greece is a peninsula about the size of Louisiana in the Mediterranean Sea. • It’s very close to Egypt, the Persian empire (includes Turkey) and Rome.

Greek Geography • Greece is mountainous (80%) • Greek communities often times developed independently because of the mountains, thus they were diverse • As a result, they fought each other a lot.

The Minoan and the Mycenaean Civilizations Develop 3500 B. C. -2000 B. C.

WHO WERE THE MINOANS? • Lived on the island of CRETE • TRADE evolved with the Mycenaeans; around 1500 BC they came into contact with the Minoans. • Adopted writing of the Minoans • Influenced religious practice, art, politics, and literature.

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WHO WERE THE MYCENAEANS? • People who migrated from Europe, Asia, and India around 2000 B. C. • Later called Mycenaeans after their leading city, MYCENAE

WHO RULED THIS CIVILIZATION? • Was a fortified city (had a wall built around it) • Could withstand any attack • A warrior-king controlled Mycenae; strong rulers controlled other parts • Dominated from 1600 to 1100 B. C. (500 years!

SO…. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MYCENEANS? • Around 1200 B. C. , the Mycenaean kings fought a 10 year against their rivals to the north and east: the city of Troy!!

SO…. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MYCENEANS? • After the 10 years of fighting, the Mycenaeans, although they won, were continually raided by the DORIANS!!! • 1100 BC-800 BC: Greece enters the DARK AGE

THIS IS WHERE OUR FRIEND HOMER COMES INTO PLAY! • Between 750 B. C. and 700 B. C. Homer tells his epic tales of the war…he TELLS these stories; the Greeks lost the ability to write and create art!

THE ILIAD and THE ODYSSEY • The Iliad is set during the Trojan War. • The Odyssey is about Odysseus’ journey home from the Trojan War.