EARLY PEOPLE OF THE AEGEAN

1. EARLY PEOPLE OF THE AEGEAN Crete was the cradle of an early civilization that later influenced the Greeks. The people of Crete absorbed many ideas from Egypt and Mesopotamia.

2. Minoan Civilization • This early civilization is named after the legendary king Minos • Reached their height between 1750BC 1500BC • The success of the Minoans was based on trade • They set up trading posts all over the Aegean • They traded with Egypt and civilizations in the midddle east • They gained ideas and technology

3. KNOSSOS • The rulers of the Minoans lived in a vast palace • Working areas for artisans • Religious shrines • Walls were covered in frescoes • Teach us about their society

4. MINOAN CIVILIZATION ENDS • Around 1400BC the civilization vanished • Volcanic eruption • Earthquake • Invaders • Mycenaeans the first Greek-speaking people

5. MYCENAEANS • They conquered the Greek main land before they conquered the Minoans • They dominated the Aegean world from 1400BC -1200BC • Like the Minoans they were skilled sea traders • They went beyond the Aegean Sea to Sicily, Italy Egypt and Mesoptamia • They learned skills from the civilizations they conquered and traded with • They lived in villages • separate city-states were warrior kings built walled cities and ruled over the surrounding

6. TROJAN WAR • 1250BC a conflict began as a result of an economic rivalry between Mycenea and Troy • The war was fought over the control of the vital straits (Dardanells) that controlled the water passage that connected the Mediterranean and Black Sea • Legend • Fought over a women • Greeks burned Troy to the ground

7. MYCENAEAN END • After the Trojan War the Mycenaean civilization fell apart as a result of attacks from a wave of Greek speaking people Dorians. • Trade declined • Cities were abandoned • Greek civilization took a step backwards • Skills were lost like reading,writing,and art

8. HOMER • Life during the time of the fall of the Mycenaean civilization is best explained to us from two epic poems written by Homer. • He was a blind poet that wandered from village to village telling his stories which were past on orally • The importance of his stories is to tell us about the Greeks values • Honor • courage

9. ILIAD ODYSSEY • Iliad • Story of the Trojan War • Achilles hero • Odyssey • Story of the hero Odysseus struggle to get home to his wife after the fall of Troy • These stories had huge impacts on writers in Europe