Early Greeks Settled in City-States

1. Early Greeks Settled in City-States • Greece is located on the end of the Balkan Peninsula. • Greece is separated from Asia Minor by the Aegean Sea. • Short mountain ranges divide Greece into many small valley areas. • The mountains prevented the Greeks from developing a sense of unity. • Greece has no important rivers.

3. The Geography of Greece • The climate of Greece is warm and mild. A Mediterranean climate. • The soil of Greece supports the growing of grapes, olives, some grains. ( wheat, and barley) • Pastures support sheep and goats. • The Greeks turned to the sea for trade. • From the sea trade comes new ideas and knowledge.

5. The Minoan Civilization • The Minoan civilization was located on the island of Crete. • The city of Knossus was discovered by Arthur Evans. • The palace of King Minos, and he named the civilization Minoans. • The palaces were decorated with colorful frescoes - painted plaster. • The written language is still a mystery.

7. Early Greek Migrations • The Minoan civilization was destroyed by a giant tidal wave caused by a volcano. • The Mycenaeans moved into Greece from central Asia at about 1600 B.C. • They built fortified cities, like Mycenae, Tiryns, and Pylos. • They were very warlike and so little survives of their written language. • By 1200 B.C. most of cities were gone.

9. The City States of Greece • The Dorians move into the Peloponnesus and conquer and enslave the local people. • A dark age occurs because the Dorians can’t read or write. • The two main city-states are Sparta and Athens. • The Greek word for city-state is polis. • The surrounding area was known as the chora.

11. The City States of Greece • Ae Dorians move into the Peloponnesus and conquer and enslave the local people. • A dark age occurs because the Dorians can’t read or write. • The two main city-states are Sparta and Athens. • The Greek word for city-state is polis. • The surrounding area was known as the chora.