MAP INT. ANC. CIV. FINALa 1/14/08 4:08 PM Page 20 Name_________________________________ Date__________________________________ The Minoans Read the paragraph for background information. Then use the map to answer the questions. The Minoans lived entirely surrounded by water on the island of Crete. Sometimes known as the Bull-Jumpers for a popular sport on the island, they might be better known as the ship- builders of the ancient world. They were the first civilization to have a navy. Without their navy, the Minoans might never have developed to the extent that they did. Elsewhere in the Mediterranean Sea, ancient pirates controlled the waters. They would also land at towns and cities along the coast and attack the people to steal their goods. The navy kept the Minoans safe and allowed the culture to flourish. The Minoans produced two famous forms of artwork. They covered their walls in colorful frescoes—paintings made on wet plaster. They also made beautiful sculptures and vessels from bronze and pottery. During the middle Minoan period, writing was developed and palaces were built. The first sophisticated form of writing from the area is now called Linear A. A later form that came from the Greeks is known as Linear B. 1. What was Linear A and how does it relate to Knossos? 2. Which island is closest to 35°N and 24°E? 3. Look at the scale and the measures of latitude and latitude. Why is this information necessary when comparing the map to other maps? 4. How many palace sites are shown on the map? 5. When did the Minoan culture first become established on Crete? 6. Which sea is south of Crete? 7. What are the approximate coordinates of Myrtos in latitude and longitude? 8. If you travel directly west from Kato Zakro, which palace will you come to next? Which settlement? Press Teaching © 2005 Creative 9. Which palace is closest to Mount Ida? 10. How far is Chrysi from Koufonision? Maps: Ancient Civilizations 20 The Minoans THE MINOANS KEY Gramvousa Minoan palace site The Minoans 21 Sea of Crete Principal Minoan settlement Mountain Khania Dia Nirou Amnisos Chani Gianysades CRETE Spinalonga Elasa Mount Ida Tylissos Knossos Mallia Palaikastro Karphi N Psychro cave Praisos Petsopha Gortyn Gournia Ayia Triada Vasiliki Kato Zakro Myrtos W E Phaistos 35°N Paximadia Hierapytna Gavdopoula Chrysi Koufonision S Gavdos 0 20 40 miles E E E ° ° ° Libyan Sea 0 20 40 kilometers 25 26 24 Conic Projection MINOAN CIVILIZATION TIMELINE 3400 B.C. 3100 B.C. 2800 B.C. 2500 B.C. 2200 B.C. 1900 B.C. 1600 B.C. 1300 B.C. 1000 B.C. 700 B.C. Bronze Age begins on Crete Early Minoan palaces erected at Knossos Early Minoan Destruction of early Minoan palaces at Knossos Middle Minoan Final destruction of Minoan palaces at Knossos Late Minoan Linear A in common use over Crete Palaces rebuilt at Knossos Linear B comes into use Maps: Ancient Civilizations © 2005 Creative Teaching Press MAP INT. ANC. CIV. FINALa 1/14/08 4:08 PM Page 21 MAP INT. ANC. CIV. FINALa 1/14/08 4:08 PM Page 24 Name_________________________________ Date__________________________________ Early Greece Read the paragraph for background information. Then use the map to answer the questions. The city of Mycenae was located at the northernmost end of the Gulf of Argolis. After the Minoans were destroyed by a combination of natural events (earthquakes and volcanic erup- tions), the Mycenaeans decided to take over the island of Crete. From what remained of the people there, they learned to build ships. Using bronze shields and weapons, they used the ships they built to sail around the Aegean Sea, conquer people, and establish colonies. While there were other strong cities during the time, the Mycenaeans were the strongest force. They were the first people to rule the area that would someday become Greece. Before Greece would rise as a great civilization, the Aegean region once more fell into separate city-states. The area was invaded from the sea by barbarians (sometimes known as Philistines) and from the land by the bar- barians called Dorians. They had no language and left little evidence of their rule, so this period in ancient Greek civilization is called the Greek Dark Ages. 1. Add the city of Mycenae to your map. 2. Athens and Marathon are located in which section of early Greece? 3. Which city is west of Mt. Parnassus? 4. About how far is Athens from the city of Marathon? 5. What are the approximate coordinates of latitude and longitude for Mt. Olympus? 6. Later in history, one of the major Greek cities fought off the Persians at the tiny seaport town of Marathon. Most likely, which city was it? Why? 7. Name two mountains shown on the map. 8. Which city is located at approximately 38°N and 23°E? Press Teaching © 2005 Creative 9. Which city is closer to Corinth: Olympia or Sparta? 10. Which region is north of Boeotia? Maps: Ancient Civilizations 24 Early Greece MAP INT. ANC. CIV. FINALa 1/14/08 4:08 PM Page 25 EARLY GREECE Mt. Olympus 40°N P in N du s Aegean M EPIRUS o W E Sea u n t THESSALY a i S n s AETOLIA Thermopylae Euboea Delphi Mt. Parnassus Eretria BOEOTIA Gu lf of Cor ACHAEA inth Marathon 38°N Athens Corinth ATTICA ELIS Olympia ARGOLIS ARCADIA Saronic Gulf Peloponneses Gulf of Argolis Ionian Sea MESSENIA Sparta LACONIA Gulf Maps: Ancient Civilizations of Messinia Gulf of KEY Laconia 0 25 50 miles City © 2005 Creative Teaching Press Teaching © 2005 Creative Mountain 0 25 50 kilometers Albers Conic Equal-Area Projection Mediterranean Sea 36°N 22°E 24°E Early Greece 25.