Early Greek Civilizations

Early Greek Civilizations Chapter 6 Section 1

1. The Geography of Greece a. Little pieces of rock clung together to make the peninsula of Greece b. Mountains are the major landform of Greece. The Greece islands are mostly mountain peaks. Mountains Criss-cross the main land. About 1/5 of Greece is good for growing crops. Greeks became traders & sailors c. Some lived on real islands completely surrounded by water or small peninsulas. Others lived on what could be thought of as land islands. Instead of water, mountains separated people from other small communities. Each community developed it’s own customs

2. Minoan Civilization a. Lived on the island of Crete. b. Surrounded by waters, they developed a broad sea-trade network. c. One time they ruled the waters of Greece d. Minoan’s developed an advanced culture and the Minoan civilization declined from likely invaders of Greece called the Mycenaeans.

3. The Mycenaeans a. The Mycenaeans blended the islands and the mainland cultures. b. They moved to the mainland’s c. Used lighting and spoke Greek d. Gained power through trade but relied on conquer to spread their power. 4. The Trojan War a. Greece conquered Troy by using a trick- the Trojan Horse b. Many warriors hid inside a wooden horse that was rolled inside Troy’s gates c. They thought it to be a present, but during the night the soldiers got out and opened the gates for the Greek army.

5. The Dark Ages of Greece a. From about the early 11oo’s B.C. to about 750 B.C. were known as the dark age rulers b. The Dark Ages were not completely Greek however c. During that time, families gradually resettled in places where they could grow crops

6. The Rule of the Aristocrats a. Around 750 B.C. villages throughout Greece began joining to form cities b. As these cities developed, they became city-states c. During the end of the Dark Ages, most cities were ruled by Aristocrats. 7. A New Type of Ruler a. City-states became richer though trade b. A middle class of merchants, and artisans developed c. They equipped themselves with armor, swords, and spears d. Then they drew military strength and were overthrown by the Tyrants.

8. Democracy: Rule by the People a. Leader named Solon made a law that canceled out all debts to all b. Members of city-states overthrew harsh tyrants c. Not all people benefited from democracy d. Only about one in five Athenians was a citizen e. Only men could be citizens f. Citizen had to have an Athenian mother and father g. Enslaved people, women and Foreigners did not take part in democracy h. Only men citizens of Athens were free and self-governing

Chapter 6 Section 1

Key Terms

Peninsula – an are of land almost completely surrounded by water and connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land

Acropolis - the fortified, or strengthed ,hill of an ancient Greek city

Aristocrat - a member of a rich and powerful family

Tyrant – a ruler who takes power by force Democracy – a form of Government in which citizens govern themselves