Thought of the Day

1. Thought of the Day Describe the geography of North Carolina. The terrain of North Carolina allows us to do what kind of activities? How does the geography of North Carolina affect our lives? What kind of jobs does it create for North Carolinians? Write 5 complete sentences.

2. Greece

3. Geography mountainous, has peninsula, surrounded by islands Mount Olympus Small plains, river valleys surrounded by high mountain ranges (isolated Greeks from one another) Surrounded by Aegean, Mediterranean, and Ionian Seas Peninsula creates bays & inlets that provide lots of harbors Because of water, the people become seafarers

4. Minoan Civilization Civilization established on the island of Crete during the Bronze Age in 2800BC Minoans weren’t Greek, but influenced Greek mainlands Palace (discovered by archeologist Evans) called Knossos Royal seat of kings Center of sea empire People traded pottery and gold and silver jewelry Minoan Civilization collapsed because of invasion by mainland Greeks called Mycenaeans

5. Mycenaean Civilization Flourished from 1600-1100BC Made up of monarchies Centers built on hills & surrounded by stone walls, royal families lived within walls (civilians outside the wall) Tombs built into hillsides called Tholo Tombs Warrior people, heroic battle shown by murals displaying war & hunting People spread by conquering Crete & Aegean Islands Military adventures made famous by Homer 1100BC civilization collapses due to earthquakes & invasions

6. The Dark Ages Fall of Mycenaeans led to population decline and decrease in food Lasts from 1100BC-750BC Greeks move from mainland to islands and Ionia (modern day Turkey) Revival of agriculture and trade because of iron Replaces bronze weaponry More affordable than bronze Used for farming tools which leads to increase in food production Greeks adopt Phoenician alphabet Homer’s work appears at the end of the Dark Ages

7. Homer Wrote epic poems Long poems that tell deed of great hero Epic poems called The Iliad and The Odyssey Used stories of Trojan War to compose the Iliad and the Odyssey Background: war caused by Paris (Prince of Troy) because he kidnapped Helen (King of Sparta’s wife). Spartan king’s brother attacks city of Troy with army. Soldiers trick Trojans by building wooden horse and hiding inside until Trojans fall asleep Iliad was a tale of Achilles, how his anger leads to disaster. Odyssey was about Odysseus returning home to his wife after fall of Troy Homer taught honor & courage