Chapter 7Ancient Greece

Section 1The Geography of Greece

Mainland Greece is a peninsula that sticks out into the Mediterranean Sea.

A second peninsula called the Peloponnesus forms the lower part of Greece.

An isthmus connects the two peninsulas. (Narrow strip of land.)

Greece is very rugged with many mountains.

Hard to unite under a single government.

Transportation was difficult because of lack of rivers and rough landscape.

Greece Climate•Mild, Rainy Winters

•Hot, Dry Summers

•A year round, warm climate encouraged outdoor life.

Open Air Theaters were common in Ancient Greece

Agriculture in Ancient Greece

Rough landscape made farming difficult in Ancient Greece.

Farming took place in valleys between mountains.

Ancient Greeks founded colonies in other areas to get more farm land.

Resources•A lack of farmland

•Very few precious metals

•Plenty of stone for building

•Lots of coastline and many good sites for harbors

Seafaring People The seas around Greece were

“highways of water” The Greeks became skilled sailors

and shipbuilders The sea provided fish. The Greeks

dried the fish so it could be traded.

Trade•Greeks did not produce much grain due to lack of farmland•Produced surplus olive oil, wine, wool, and fine pottery•Bought grain, timber, animal hides, slaves, nuts, figs, cheese, and flax

Early Greeks•Mycenaean Civilization – 2000 to 1200 B.C.•Fortress built on hills surrounded by wall•They were traders•Their culture featured writing, gold jewelry, bronze weapons, and pottery•Collapsed around 1200 B.C. probably because of invaders

Mycenae Today

Phoenicians & Greek Culture•Phoenicians were an important Greek trading partner.•Developed alphabet to keep trading records•Greeks changed some letters and created an alphabet

similar to what we have today.•Ancient Greeks learned about coins from other

trading partners.•Ancient Greeks developed new forms of literature and

government.

Greek Alphabet