Greek Civilization Begins In Aegean

Aegean Sea Eastern Mediterranean Sea Cradle of Western Civilization There many ideas developed that influenced the Politics, Art, and thought of Western Civilization

Minoan Civilization Developed on Crete Named after the legendary king Minos Known for their magnificent Palaces Knossos: More than 800 Rooms Seafaring traders: Exported wine, honey, and olive oil

The Fall of the Minoans Minoan Civilization began to decline about 1450 B.C. Perhaps because of a disastrous earthquake or volcanic eruption Greeks from mainland invaded Crete The Palace at Knossos was destroyed

Rise of the Mycenaeans Greek Speaking Indo-European tribes Warrior-Kings ruled the walled cities built around their palaces at Mycenae, Thebes, and other places in southern Greece. Civilization was named after the palace at Mycenae Mycenae was the richest and most important town

Mycenaean way of Life… Mycenaeans borrowed their culture and economic strategies from the Minoans Mycenaean pottery and jewelry were decorated with designs in Minoan style Kings employed Minoan artisans Scribes borrowed system of writing from Crete They took over the Minoans’ sea trade

Fall of another Civilization…. Rival Kingdoms were often at war with one another An Empire rose during the chaos in Mycenae The Mycenaean Empire rose to power when a Mycenae ruler brought the Kingdoms together. The people of this Empire were called Achaeans

The Fall and the Dark Age…. The Empire did not prevent or stop the warfare between the Kingdoms After the Fall, Greece entered a Dark Age that disrupted trade, farming, and arts Dorians: illiterate people who moved to Southern Greece Because the Dorians were illiterate, the art of writing was forgotten during the Dark Age

End of Dark Age and the rise of the Hellenistic Civilization…. Some Achaeans were able to preserve some parts of their old culture and skills Greeks inherited the culture and skills of their ancestors This paved way for the great age of Greek Civilization Hellenic Age (From the name Hellas): Golden Age of Greek Civilization

Hellenic Age…. Most Greeks were farmers who grew wheat, barley, olive trees, and grapevines Greek artisans worked in small workshops with simple hand tools. They produced fine woolen textiles, pottery, metal tools, and weapons Greeks also became fishermen and traders because of the excellent harbors in the coastline

Effects of Sea Trade…. Many Civilizations influenced Greece because of the sea explorations of the Greeks The Greeks adapted the alphabet of Phoenicia for their own language The Greeks borrowed the coinage system from the Lydians The Greeks learned and gained the knowledge of Geometry from the Egyptians

Greek Mythology The Greeks turned to Religion for an explanation of changes in nature and as a means of gaining good fortune or a rich harvest They consulted Oracles, special temples whose priestesses and priests gave vaguely worded hints about the future. The famous of these oracles was the one at Delphi

Greek Mythology The Greeks believed in many gods who were said to live on Mount Olympus Greek gods were not viewed as terrifying or all-powerful, however, but thought of the gods as if they were Human Beings These gods were told and retold in Greek poems and plays

Greek Gods…. Zeus – most important Greek god, God of Thunder Hera – wife of Zeus, goddess of Marriage Poseidon – god of the sea Ares – god of war Apollo – god of music, prophecy, medicine, and rational thinking Athena – goddess of wisdom and handicrafts Aphrodite – goddess of love and beauty Demeter – goddess of farmland and grain Hades – god of the underworld

Greek Festivals…. The Greeks built temples to honor the gods Musicians and poets presented their best songs, and athletes tried to give their best performances Olympic Games: most famous athletic games held every four years in Olympia Olympic Stadium: held 40,000 spectators

The Epics of Homer…. Homer: blind poet who influenced Greek Religion The Iliad and The Odyssey Epics take place near the end of the Trojan War Heroes of Iliad: Achilles and Hector Hero of Odyssey: Odysseus

Hellenic Culture Spreads…. Greeks established colonies – settlement in other lands These colonies were independent of Greece but maintained close ties with the Greek homeland The settlers carried Greek traditions and ways of living to their new homes, spreading Hellenic culture to the Mediterranean World

Greek Civilization Begins In Aegean

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Greek Civilization Begins In Aegean