Greco-Roman History: Unit 5, Geography & Minoans

• Unit 5 introduces Greco-Roman history.
• Classical refers to the ancient Greek and Roman world, also known as Greco-Roman, especially regarding its literature, art, architecture or ideals

Geography of Greece

• Occupies a small geographical area, especially in comparison to Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, and China
• Greece is a mountainous peninsula consisting of numerous islands
• The mountains isolated Greek communities, fostering rivalries amongst them
• Greece is surrounded by the Mediterranean, Ionian, and Aegean seas

Minoan Civilization (2700-1450 BCE)

• The Minoan Civilization was a Bronze Age civilization located on the island of Crete
• The Minoans were not Greek, but did influence the Greek Mainland
• Known for trade, art, and elaborate palaces
• The Minoans had an extensive trade network that utilized knowledge of the seas
• The Minoan Civilization abruptly ended
• The Civilization was likely invaded by Mainland Greeks, known as Mycenaeans

Mycenae: The First Greek State

• The Mycenaean Civilization flourished between 1600 and 1100 BCE
• Ruled by several distinct ruling families
• These families likely formed a loose alliance
• The society was a warrior culture that prided itself on heroic deeds in battle
• Military adventures were recounted by Homer
• This Civilization also had extensive trade networks
• Mycenaean pottery has been found throughout the Mediterranean area
• Mycenaean cities fought each other, leading to their decline

Homer and the Dark Ages of Greece

• Greece entered a period of population decline and decreased food production
• Changes during the Dark Ages: many Greeks left the mainland for Greek Islands, iron replaced bronze in weaponry, making weapons more affordable, and the Phoneacian Alphabet was adopted
• Homer wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey
• Homer used imagination to create stories based on the Trojan War
• His stories influenced later Greek society and were used to educate later generations

City States Overview

• Greeks referred to cities as a polis
• The cities were central to Greek life
• Political, social, and religious activities were centered in these cities
• Acropolis means high city in Greek
• Acropolis was a fortified settlement at the high point of the city
• Agora was an open area below the Acropolis where people could assemble and served as a marketplace

Tyranny in Greece

• Early city-states were ruled by aristocratic families
• With increased trade and industry, a new wealthy class emerged
• The new wealthy landowners wanted more political power
• Greek Tyrants were wealthy landowners who gained power from the aristocrats
• Societies grew tired of aristocratic control
• Tyrants took and kept power by using hired soldiers
• Tyranny was a key part in development of government in Greece

Athens

• Athens was first ruled by a king, then became an oligarchy
• Eventually, Athens became a democracy where citizens could participate in government
• Society focused on education, philosophy, and the arts
• Athens had a strong navy, but did not emphasize military training as much as Sparta
• Women had limited rights and were mostly expected to manage the household
• Athens produced great philosophers, such as Socrates and Plato, as well as playwrights and was the birthplace of democracy

Sparta

• Sparta was ruled by an oligarchy that consisted of two kings and a council of elders
• Society was entirely focused on military strength and discipline
• Boys began military training at age 7
• Had one of the strongest land armies in Greece and was known for its disciplined soldiers
• Women had more rights than Athenian women, including property ownership and physical training
• There was less emphasis on arts and philosophy; instead, life was centered on war and loyalty to the state

Persian Wars

• Athens and Sparta were traditionally rivals
• The Persian Wars were a series of conflicts between the Greek city-states and the Persian Empire
• The threat of Persian invasion inspired the Greek city-states to unite
• Battle of Marathon: an outnumbered Athenian army attacked and defeated the Persians
• A runner raced from Marathon to Athens to share the news of victory
• The wars were ultimately won by the Greeks

Peloponnesian War

• A long and destructive war
• Fought between: Athens and its allies (Delian League) and Sparta and its allies (Peloponnesian League)
• Key War Events:
• Plague in Athens (430 BCE): A deadly plague that killed a large portion of the Athenian population
• Spartan Alliance with Persia; Sparta built a navy with Persian funding, helping them to challenge Athens at sea
• Fall of Athens(404): Athens surrendered after its navy was defeated, ending Athenian dominance
• The war left Greece weakened and divided, paving the way for Macedonian conquest

Greek Religion

• Religion affected every aspect of Greek life
• Some of the largest and most architecturally advanced buildings in the city-states were temples
• Twelve chief gods and goddesses lived on Olympus (highest mountain in Greece)
• Greek religion did not have a religious doctrine and did not focus on morality
• Rituals were a key part of practice
• Practiced ways to communicate with or honor the gods
• Oracles(priestesses) facilitated communication with the gods
• Included animal sacrifice, gift giving, and festivals

Explore Greco-Roman history with an introduction to ancient Greece, its geography, and the Minoan civilization. Learn about Greece's mountainous terrain, its surrounding seas, and the Minoans' trade, art, and mysterious end in Unit 5.