I' Early People of Greece

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I. Early People of Greece

• Different cultures came to control Greece as time
  passed

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A. Mountains and the Sea

• 1. Greece occupies Balkan peninsula
• in Mediterranean Sea and curves toward Asia
  Minor Little Asia (Turkey)
• Separated by Aegean Sea
• Balkan Peninsula almost divided into 2 parts
• Southern part called Peloponnesus

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• Peloponnesus is connected to mainland by strip of
  land called isthmus
• 2. Mountains cover ¾ of Greece
• Farmers grow olives grapes, and grain for food
• Raise sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle to get skins
  for clothing
• Land is rugged and tough to travel
• Each village survived on its own-
• Villages become fiercely independent

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• 4. Sea connects the people of Greece to people in
  Asia and Africa
• Few natural resources so people become fishermen,
  sailors, and traders (merchants)
• Location if perfect as a trading center
• Traders want Greek olive oil, wine, and wool
• Between 3000 BC and 1500 BC, trading center on
  island of Crete

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B. Minoans

• 1. People of Crete around 1900 BC began to build
  huge palaces
• Several stories tall -over 1000 rooms
• Centers for managing govt and perhaps religious
  centers
• 4 palaces uncovered largest Knossos
• 2. People referred to as Minoans after King Minos

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• King Minos perhaps a legend
• 3. Minoans were seafaring traders
• Traded w/ people from Asia, Africa, and Europe
• They traded for copper, tin, and gold
• 4. Used copper and tin to make bronze bowls and
  other objects
• 5. developed a system of writing
• 6. around 1370 BC civilization ends
• Earthquake ? fire?

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C. Mycenaeans

• 1. Mycenaeans lived in Mycenae near coast of
  Peloponnesus
• Warlike people who measured wealth in number of
  weapons owned
• 2. Learned Minoan customs through trade
  cultural borrowing
• Adapted art styles, pottery, language and
  religious beliefs

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• 3. in 1450 BC Mycenaeans invade Crete as they
  weaken
• Control Crete and much of Peloponnesus from 1450
  BC to 1100 BC
• 4. Mycenaeans eventually lose control
• Not sure how or why
• 5. from 1100 BC to 800 BC much of Minoan and
  Mycenaean culture lost

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D. Ancient Stories and Legends

• 1. what we do know comes from Homer, author of
  Iliad and Odyssey
• Wrote long story poems or epics
• Based on old stories he had heard
• Iliad story of Trojan War
• Odyssey story of Odysseus on his long journey
  home after war