Introduction to Greece

Geography:
Only 20% of Greece was suitable for farming
The year round temperatures in Greece ranged from 48 - 80 degrees
The lack of resources in Greece lead to the Greek colonies

Mycenaeans:
Began around 2000B.C.
Mycenae is located on a rocky ridge and protected by a 20ft which wall
They lead for 400 years
They controlled the trade lanes
They also invaded Crete


Culture in Decline:
Around 1200B.C. sea people began to invade Mycenae and burnt palace after palace
The Dorians moved into the war-torn region
- They are far less advanced
- Economy Collapsed
- Writing disappeared for 400 years

Homer and Myths:
Only stories were kept and passed on were by words of the mouth
Homer lived at the end of the "Greek Dark Age"
He told about the story of the Trojan War and The Iliad and The Odyssey
The Trojan war was probably one of the last conquests of the Mycenaeans

Arete:
- virtue and excellence of you to do the best you can in your talents
Epics:
- narrative poems celebrating heroic deeds
Myths were created to explain creation:
- Zeus: leader of the gods
- Hera: Zeus' wife
- Athena: goddess of wisdom