Early Greece

Greek History from the Minoans to the Trojan War

Geography

Smaller areaMountains and the SeaIsolation along the PeninsulaPeloponnesus

Minoan Civilization

Bronze Age civilizationDiscovered by Arthur EvansNamed after King Minos

Minoan remains

Knossos

Remains revealed a rich and prosperous culture.Remains illustrated a trading society with few military fortifications.Made contact with Greek mainland and Egypt. Egyptian influence was heavy.

Height of MinoansAbout 2000-1500 BCEWrote in an undeciphered language called Linear A.Elaborate frescoes with bright colors demonstrating a love nature.Taxes paid to the king in wine and oil

Fall of Minoans

Shrouded in mysteryEarthquake/Tsunami?War with Mycenae?

Mycenaean Greeks

Name derived from a fortified site excavated by Heinrich Schliemann.Center of their civilization.Part of Indo-European Groups

Mycenae

Fortified wallsTreasurySociety based on warLed by Warrior aristocracy

Warrior Aristocracy

Based on Homeric writings/stories?Intercine warfareGreek Ideal

Mycenaens tradition of War:

*Very evident in their art

*Inward then outward

*Heroic time in Ancient Greece

The Legendary Trojan War:

*One of our most enduring myths

*Combines brains/brawn

*Epitomizes Ancient Greece

How the war began?

*Cornerstone of Greek Mythology

*Oral traditions

The Horse: The Greatest Myth of Ancient Greece

Trojan Horse

Image of Helen and Paris

Contributions of Homer?

*Illiad

*Odyssey

*artistic representation of Achilles

Players in the Trojan War?•Achilles

•Hector

•Agamemmnon

•Ajax

•Menaleus

•Zeus

•Tithes

•Paris

•Helen

•Athena

•Aphrodite

•Hera

The Kidnap of Helen:

Departure of Hector:

Mycenaean decline

Unknown at the presentLikely attributed to intercine warfareAlso probable was invasion by “Dorian Greeks” that wreaked havoc on their citadels.Collapsed by 1100 BCE

Greek Dark Ages

Farming and learning collapseGreeks migrating throughout region1100-750 B.C.EWritings of HomerTrojan WarHistorical Homer and its pitfalls.

Iliad and Odyssey

Iliad a narrative on Achilles and how his wrath led to disaster.Odyssey: epic romance that recounts the journey home of Odysseus after the fall of Troy.

Homer as parable

Does it deal with the heroes of the Mycenaean Age or the tragic conditions of the Dark Ages. Homer’s writing speaks of agricultural woes during a time ruled by ruthless aristocrats.Greeks and the “ideal”“my father was anxious to see me develop into a good man and as a means he compelled me to memorize Homer”.