Ancient Greeks and Trade

Ancient Greeks and Trade

Surrounded by Water

The Greek peninsula is surrounded by three different seas, On the south is the Mediterranean Sea. The Ionian Sea is west of Greece, and the Aegean Sea is east.

Trade Helps Greece Prosper

The seas linked different parts of Greece together. Remember, Greece was covered in mountains and travel by land was very difficult. The seas were very important for transportation.

Life Near the Sea

The Greeks were skilled sailors and ship builders. Greeks caught a surplus of fish and traded fish for other products.

Greek Surpluses

Greeks produced plenty of olive oil, wool, and pottery. Greeks had to trade with others for grain, wood, flax, and slaves.

Trading Spreads Ideas

When cultures trade with each other, they share ideas, and knowledge. The Greeks learned much from a group called the Phoenicians.

The Alphabet

The Greeks picked up the alphabet from the Phoenicians. This was a system of writing in which 22 symbols stood for sound. Eventually, the Greek alphabet became the alphabet we use today.

Coins

The Greeks learned about making and using coins from people in Anatolia. The Anatolians invented coins, and the Greeks copied that idea too.

Multiple Choice

True of False...Greece is covered in fertile soil which is excellent for growing grain.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Which is NOT a sea that surrounds the Greek Peninsula?

• Mediterranean Sea

• Ionian Sea

• Menifee Sea

• Aegean Sea

Multiple Choice

Greeks used the seas for

• drinking

• washing clothes

• transportation

• watering crops

Multiple Choice

The Greeks did not grow much...

• olives

• grain

• grapes

Multiple Choice

From whom did we get our alphabet?

• Ancient Egypt

• Ancient Israel

• Ancient Mesopotamia

• Ancient Greece