Ancient GreeceCHAPTER 4

1900 – 133 B.C.E.

Early Civilizations In Greece

Geography played an important role in the development of Greek civilization.

Greece consists of a mountainous Peninsula and numerous islands that encompass about 50,000 sq. miles.

About 80% of Greece is mountainous. Its highest peak is Mt. Olympus.

Mountains create a natural barrier within Greece, These barriers isolated Greek communities, which developed a distinct culture and way of life.

These independent communities were involved in warfare with one another.

Early Civilizations in Greece

The Greek Peninsula is surrounded by 3 seas.

- Aegean Sea

- Mediterranean Sea

- Ionian Sea

Greeks were sea faring peoples, they inhabited a number of islands fairly close to the mainland. They also traveled to other areas along the Mediterranean, making contact with different groups. Trading goods and ideas with these groups.

Greeks also established several colonies throughout the Mediterranean, Aegean & Black Sea.

Minoan Civilization

The Minoan civilization, on the island of Crete, was established by a group of non-Greeks (ethnically speaking). They did eventually have a massive influence on Greek culture.

Minoans were sea faring people, using ships mainly for trade. They reached as far East as Egypt.

Trade was vital to the Minoan economy, Some goods traded by the Minoans include Gold, Silver, and Finely crafted pottery.

The Minoans were also great architects having built a number of palaces on Crete.

Minoan Civilization

The fall of Minoan civilization remains a mystery . Some theories include a tidal wave wiping out the entire civilization. Another, more plausible theory is that the Minoans were wipe out by another more aggressive group from mainland Greece.

Mycenae : The First Greek State

The Mycenaean Greeks were different ethnically than the Minoans. Mycenaean Greeks were the descendants of a group of Indo- European people who migrated to the Greek Peninsula.

The Mycenaean Greeks were governed by a number of closely related monarchies. These monarchies formed a loose alliance of independent states.

Mycenaean's were warriors, but also sea faring people. They not only used the seas for trade but also for conquest, as means to reach land and conquer the territory.

Tholos TombUsed to bury Mycenaean “Royalty”

Mycenae : The First Greek State

Proof of Mycenaean's military capabilities can be found in the poetry of Homer. Homer’s poetry tells of the sacking of Troy, an event most scholars believe to be true .

Eventual fighting amongst the Mycenaean people led to the eventual downfall of their civilization. However this was not the only cause of their demise, wide spread earthquakes damaged the infrastructure as well as the presence of newly arrived Greeks to the Peninsula assured the Mycenaean's destruction.

Mycenaean Pottery

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Greeks in the Dark Age

Following the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization, Greece entered into a dark age for about 350 years. During this time systems of government were hardly utilized.

During the Dark ages there was a mass migration from mainland Greece, to some of the islands off its coast.

Ionia, or Ionian Greece was established during this time, though not on an island or on the Greek mainland, but rather on the shores of Asia Minor (Anatolian Peninsula, Modern day Greece).

Some of the Greek groups that migrated out of the main land include the Dorians and the Aeolian Greeks.

Greece in the Dark Age

There were some technological advances during this time period, most notably the transition from Bronze as the primary metal used in tools, to Iron, which is stronger and more durable.

During this time period there were also advancements in language. The majority of Greeks adopted the Phoenician alphabet, and simplified it to 24 letters. By utilizing only 24 letters to represent sound, reading and writing became easier to learn.

The Dark Age eventually comes to an end once there is a revival of farming and trading on a scale similar to what was going on during the time of the Mycenaeans.