1. Sea is most consistent influence on physical environment of Greece = creating a seafaring tradition and was the link to trade and cultural exchange 2. Mountains (with narrow valleys) cover more than ¾ of Greece’s surface area= creating an isolationist effect and preventing effective communication 3. Greece includes more than 2000 islands ; Crete being the largest 4. Greece was organized into polis (independent city states) 5. No major rivers on Greek mainland Greek soil was fertile but rocky Winter= mild climate; summer= hot climate with rainfall from October to March = long growing season
Minoans were the earliest Greeks Lived on island of Crete Great navigators and farmers Developed writing called Linear A Palace led political, social and economic organization at Knossos Artistic expressions and grand construction Advanced metal working skills (bronze) created new tools and weapons Built sanctuaries (temples or altars to honour the gods) Arthur Evans excavated at Knossos which predated the Myceneans called Minoans.
Finest rooms were decorated with colourful wall frescoes depicting processions of gift bearers, scenes of nature or charging bulls
Ended the Dark Ages (which lasted 350 years) Significant events 1) national literature in Homer’s work (described glorious past, common view of gods) 2) resurgence of trade beyond the Aegean Sea (increased shipbuilding, metal working ideas, knowledge of geography and navigation, shared artistic and religious ideas and alphabet of Romans 3) colonization in Italy, Sicily and along Mediterranean coasts establishing new city states 4) Olympic Games in 776 BCE in honour of god Zeus that consisted of “all Greece” competitors and continued until 393 BCE when Roman Emperor Theodosius I banned all pagan festivals
