• The geography of Greece shaped its civilization:

– Numerous islands

– Mainland peninsula

– Multiple Seas

• Early people adapted to region for survival.

• Mountainous land and islands offered few areas for farming.

• Travel was difficult so small, isolated, farming villages developed.

• Greeks turned to the seas for travel and food:

– Ionian

– Aegean

– Mediterranean

• Began to trade with other civilizations.

• Most Greeks lived in city-states, or polis.

• Greece was not unified and each city-state had its own:

– Government

– Laws

– Culture

• The two most powerful city-states were Sparta and Athens.

• Sparta devoted their lives to the military, violence, and war.

• Athens was devoted to learning, art, and government.

• Greeks did everything; festivals, build temples, sports, arts, and wars, to please Gods.

• Stories of gods, mythology, influence our language, literature, and world today.

• Greek mythology focused on twelve Olympian Gods.

• Stories were used to explain:

– Human emotions

– The Environment

– Historical happenings

– Or entertainment

• Greek history begins with the Minoans on the island of Crete.

• Crete was covered with trees and began building ships.

• Discovered how to grow grapes and olives.

• Became rich trading wine and olive oil.

• Dominated Aegean Sea but disappeared for unknown reason.

• Control of Aegean passed to the Mycenaeans.

• Mycenaeans copied Minoan culture and learned how to make:

– Boats

– Bronze

– Wine

– Olive oil

• Were violent, greedy, and attacked many areas.

• Mycenaeans attacked the city of Troy because of trade taxes.

• During war no trade and little farming, Greece entered into a “Dark Age.”

• Greece became more independent, until the Persians arrived.

• Persia already conquered India, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, Egypt.

• Looked at Greece for next area to conquer.

• Persian Kings attacked Greece in a series of wars.

• Greece won because of better weapons, armor, and the city-states united to fight.

• Many city-states formed an alliance, (Delian League), to work together if there was another war.

• Sparta refused to join, so Athens took control, creating an empire.

• Sparta began its own alliance and decided to attack Athens, beginning the Peloponnesian War.

• Finally after 30 years, and with Persia’s help, Sparta conquered Athens.

• Greece was completely devastated and was conquered by Macedonia.

• Macedonians began the Hellenistic (Greek) Age and helped Greece rebuild.

• Macedonian King wanted to spread Greek culture into Persia, but was murdered.

• Power passed to his son, Alexander.

• Conquered Persian empire, never losing a battle.

– Asia Minor

– Egypt

– Mesopotamia

– Central Asia & India

• Greek culture, art, literature, science, education, and customs spread throughout empire.

• However, at the age of 33, Alexander dies.

• Alexander left no heir for his empire and fighting began for control.

• Empire was separated to maintain peace:

– Macedonia & Greece

– Egypt

– Mesopotamia

• Areas continued to prosper, until all was conquered by the Romans.