Lesson 8.2: Early Civilization in Greece

Lesson 8.2: Early Civilizations in Greece

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? 

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

Minoan Fresco

Minoan Fresco

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.

Multiple Choice

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

• Crete

• Santorini

• Minoa

• Malta

Multiple Choice

The Minoans traded with both Mesopotamia and Egypt.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The Minoans were eventually conquered by the

• Egyptians

• Romans

• Mesopotamians

• Mycenaeans

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!)

The Mycenaeans

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

Multiple Choice

The Mycenaeans were known for their _______ weapons.

• bronze

• gold

• iron

• copper

Multiple Choice

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

• Homer

• Aristotle

• Natalie Babbitt

• Ramses the Great

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

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.

Multiple Choice

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

• it is a long poem

• it can be based on true events

• it is passed down from generations in the past

• it explains how something in nature came to be

Multiple Choice

Greek legends may be based on real events.

• true

• false

Open Ended

The Greeks used mythology to explain what?

Open Ended

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

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

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.

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?