Greek Civilization

A time of endless happiness, not really

Maybe this will be enlightening to you

This is the grade distribution for your class as of 27-Dec-2012 (I know, a year ago)

Not bad, but things are about to change, there is a lot of work to be done now

Let’s look at something else

These are the test grades from Test III

Considerably lower from Test I (since Test II was something separate)

I hope you have refocused over break for the coming weeks

The final will be in this format, and cumulative

I’ll tell you…We will study the origins of Greece, look

at its mythology, and get ready for its confrontation

with Persia

So where are we going Mr. Geier?

A visual of what is going to happen

Let’s start with

something easy

After 1500 BCMinoan civilization fell apartThe Mycenaeans (from the Greek mainland) began to rise The Mycenaean states were small kingdoms that foughtThe would conquer what was left of the Minoans

The Mycenaeans Powerful kingsAggressive diplomacy Intense competition Built great palaces with strong walls to defend their holdings

Money was raised by taxing trade and farming

Their lust for conquest and glory led to

several legends about themMycenaean Inspiration

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Paris of Troy runs back to Troy with Helen of SpartaMenelaus gets mad – talks with brother, Agamemnon

Sails to Troy, besieges the city for 10 yearsFails, comes up with a plan, the horse

Achilles, Agamemnon, Hector, and Paris

The Trojan War

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The Greek Dark Ages

D: c.1200-750 BC

Reasons

No one knows for sure, but here is what we think

Constant warfare led to the destruction of societiesFamines, disease, and land exhaustion caused hardshipsDecline in trade and education – the virtual disappearance of writing Invasions – the Sea Peoples again

The Geography of

GreeceAnd how it will shape everything we are

about to talk about

Geographic EffectsSmaller landmass compared to other locations (Louisiana)

Dozens of small islands

Mountainous

Surrounded by water

“We are like frogs on a pond”

The Impact of Geography80% of Greece is mountainous

The Pindus MountainsMount Olympus is the largest mountain in this range

These mountains not only isolate the Greeks from foreigners but also themselvesThe isolation probably caused early Greeks to collaborate together more than other societies

Positives Negatives

The Impact of GeographySeas

Greece is surrounded by different bodies of waterIonian Sea to the westAegean Sea to the eastMediterranean Sea to the South And the Black Sea in the North

Bays and inlets perfect for harborsSoon became seafaring people

Greek NaviesThe Trireme

Rows of rowersSails for added speedRudder