Early People of the Aegean

1. Early People of the Aegean Chapter 4 Section 1

2. Minoans • Lived on the island of Crete in the Aegean • Civilization reached its height between 1600 -1500 b.c. • Ruled by King Minos • Minoans were sea traders

3. Knossos • Capital of Crete • Housed the royal family • Included religious shrines • Walls were covered in colorful frescoes that tell us about their society • Frescoes included images of the sea and religious figures

4. Disappearance of the Minoans • Disappeared around 1400 b.c. • No one knows why • Could have disappeared because of an earthquake or tidal wave • Invaders could have overthrown the ruler

5. Mycenaeans • 1st Greek culture that left a written record • Also were sea traders • Lived in city states on the mainland • Rulers lived in thick walled fortresses

6. The Trojan War • Took place about 1250 b.c. • Probably caused by rivalry over who controlled the water routes in the Mediterranean • Legend says caused by the theft of Menelaus’ wife Helen

7. Homer • Wandering blind poet who recited epic poems • Credited with creating the Iliad and the Odyssey • Probably lived around 750 b.c. • Iliad is the story of the Trojan War • Odyssey is the story of Odysseus on his way home from the war

8. The Dark Ages • Mycenaean's were invaded by the Dorians around 1100 b.c. • Greek civilization disappeared for several hundred years • These times were known as the dark ages