History 107 Lecture 11

1
History 107Lecture 11

• Ancient Greece Early History, Homer, and the
  Warrior Ethic

2
Minoan Civilization (2000-1200 B.C.)

• Minoans and Mycenaeans active 2000 1200 B.C.
• Contemporary with Middle and New Kingdom Egypt
• Invaded by Sea Peoples
• Left ruins but no writings

3
Dark Age Greece (1150 800 B.C.)

• 90 Population Decline from Minoan and Mycenaean
  periods
• No written records
• Limited trade
• Mythical past The destruction of Troy in Turkey
  (c. 1250 B.C.)
• Warrior Ethic
• Homers Iliad and Odyssey

4
Homers Iliad and Odyssey

• Literary account of values and concerns in Dark
  Age Greece, c. 750 B.C.E.
• Iliad Greeks attack Troy (in modern Turkey)
  because the Trojans have taken Helen
• Odyssey The Greek Odysseus returns home to
  Ithaca after the Trojan War, but it takes years
• Role of the gods
• Limited government
• Warrior ethic
• Hospitality ethic

5
Greek Religion

• Pantheon of gods similar to ancient Near Eastern
  civilization
• Gods have human faults and characteristics
• Zeus (god of storms)
• Aphrodite (goddess of love)
• Ares (god of war)
• Apollo (god of truth, light, prophecy)
• Pallas Athena (goddess of wisdom)
• Regional preference for gods (Pallas Athena --
  Athens)
• Few rites for priests to perform in ancient
  Greece
• Limited temple worship

Zeus throws thunderbolt, 450 B.C.E.
6
Archaic Greece (800 480 B.C.)

• Emergence of city/states (the polis)
• Beginning of pan-Greek traditions encouraging
  unity (religion, Oracle at Delphi)
• Greek alphabet adapted from Phoenician
• Mediterranean trade in olive oil and wine (to
  Egypt, Persia, Italy)
• New pottery that was both functional and artistic
• Hospitality ethic emerges as substitute for
  diplomacy
• Beginning of Olympic Games (8th century B.C.)

7
Early Cities of Ancient Greece

• Athens, Sparta, Thebes, and Corinth on the
  mainland
• Numerous cities and villages on Greek islands
  such as Samos
• Sparta defeats Messenia c. 735 B.C.E. Dominates
  mainland and local Helot population. Very
  militaristic
• Athens emerges in 8th century B.C. as a maritime
  power overlooking the Aegean Sea. Exports
  olives, wine, and pottery
• Cities venerate different gods (although same
  basic pantheon). Intense competition among them

8
Discussion Homers Odyssey

• Book 8 A Day for Songs and Contests
• Set at the court of King Alcinous of the
  Phaeacians
• Odysseus is received warmly by the king
• Odysseus is treated poorly by a few of the
  younger nobles
• Athletic competitions offer clues about ancient
  warrior codes and early Olympic sport
• Odysseus tells his own tale
• Is Demodocus a portrait of Homer the bard and
  author?