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Lesson 8.2: Early Civilization in Greece

Lesson 8.2: Early Civilization in Greece

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Social Studies

6th Grade

Easy

Created by

Lydia Phoenix

Used 158+ times

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13 Slides • 9 Questions

1

Lesson 8.2: Early Civilizations in Greece

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Essential Questions:

  • Who were the Minoans and Myceneans? What did they achieve and what led to their decline?

  • How were Greek legends and myths important to the everyday life of the ancient Greeks? 

3

The Minoans

  • The earliest Greeks were called Minoans and they lived on Crete.

  • In 1900, evidence of their settlements was discovered in the city of Knossos by archeologist Arthur Evans.

  • He found colorful frescoes (paintings made on wet plaster), clay tablets, and figures carved from bronze, gold, and stone

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Minoan Fresco

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Minoan Fresco

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The Minoans (cont.)

  • Minoans earned a living from sea trade by exporting goods to Cyprus, Canaan, Mesopotamia, and Egypt’s Old Kingdom.

  • Around 1628 BC, a tidal wave, caused by a nearby volcanic eruption, wiped out many of their coastal communities.

  • In 1400 BC, they were conquered by the Mycenaeans.

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Multiple Choice

The Minoans civilization was located on the Greek Island of _______.

1

Crete

2

Santorini

3

Minoa

4

Malta

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Multiple Choice

The Minoans traded with both Mesopotamia and Egypt.

1

True

2

False

9

Multiple Choice

The Minoans were eventually conquered by the

1

Egyptians

2

Romans

3

Mesopotamians

4

Mycenaeans

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The Mycenaeans

  • The Mycenaeans were the first advanced civilization on the Greek mainland.

  • They traded with the Minoans, Egyptians, and civilizations in Asia Minor

  • They also went to war with nearby civilizations using BRONZE weapons

  • Homer, a Greek author, wrote about their war with Troy (aka the Trojan War) and how they tricked the Trojans in his epic poem, The Iliad. (More on this later!)

11

The Mycenaeans

• In the 1100s BC, the Mycenaeans and other Bronze Age civilizations collapsed perhaps due to internal fighting, invasions, or natural disasters

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Multiple Choice

The Mycenaeans were known for their _______ weapons.

1

bronze

2

gold

3

iron

4

copper

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Multiple Choice

Who wrote the poem "The Iliad", describing the epic battle between the Trojans and the Mycenaeans?

1

Homer

2

Aristotle

3

Natalie Babbitt

4

Ramses the Great

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Legends & Myths

  • Storytelling has always been a significant part of Greek culture.

  • Their stories teach us about Greek values and beliefs.

  • Three main types of stories: Legends, myths and fables

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Legends & Myths

  • Legends: stories handed down to explain the past; may be based on actual events.

    • ​Homer wrote these some of the legends down in two famous epics (long poems): The Illiad and The Odyssey

  • Myths: stories handed down that explain how the actions of the gods and goddesses affected nature & human life.

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following characteristics is true of both legends and myths?

1

it is a long poem

2

it can be based on true events

3

it is passed down from generations in the past

4

it explains how something in nature came to be

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Multiple Choice

Greek legends may be based on real events.

1

true

2

false

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Open Ended

The Greeks used mythology to explain what?

19

Open Ended

In your own words: What is the difference between a myth and a legend?

20

The Dark Age

  • After the decline of the Myceneans, Dorians with IRON weapons conquered the Greek mainland and ruled for about 300 years.

  • Thousands of Greeks fled the mainland and settled in Ionia.

  • During this time there was no new art, music, literature or trade

  • Poverty increased dramatically

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The Dark Age (cont.)

  • Many of the cultural achievements made by the Minoans and Mycenaeans were lost during this time.

  • Through myths and legends the traditions and beliefs of early Greeks survived and were passed down through the generations orally.

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Let's Review!

  • Who were the Minoans and Myceneans? What did they achieve and what led to their decline?

  • How were Greek legends and myths important to the everyday life of the ancient Greeks? 

Lesson 8.2: Early Civilizations in Greece

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