Western Civ - Chapter 5 Section 1: Classical Greece Study Guide

How did the sea shape Greek civilization?

• Coast always near

• Seas used for transport

• Seaways linked most of Greece

• Sea trade

• Many skilled fishers, sailors, and boat crafters

How did the land shape Greek civilization?

• ¾ of Greece was mountains

• Divided people into regions

• Small, independent communities

• People were loyal

• Difficult transportation

• ¼ of Greece was arable

• Low population

• Had to go to colonies for their needs

How did the climate shape Greek civilization?

• Moderate temperatures all year long [48 in winter to 80 in the summer]

• Events and leisure time spent outside

Why did Greece have to go to overseas colonies for their necessities?

• More living space

• Grassland for livestock

• Farmland

Who were the Myceneans?

• Indo-Europeans

• Migrated to the Greek mainland around 2,000 B.C.

• Mycenean warrior-king ruled the surrounding villages and farms from around 1,600 to 1,100 B.C.

Who were the Minoans?

A civilization that influenced the Myceneans

The Mycenaeans and Minoans are…

Greek Civilization’s roots

The Mycenaean’s leading city was…

Mycenae

What are some qualities of Mycenae?

• 20 foot tall wall border

• Southern Greece

• On a steep, rocky ridge

• Near the cities Tiryns and Athens

• Can withstand nearly any attack

How did the Minoans influence the Mycenaeans?

• Seaborne trade

• Pottery designs

• Greek language writing system

• Politics

• Religious practices

• Art

What is a Greek epic?

A narrative poem celebrating heroic deeds between 750 to 700 B.C.

What is a myth?

A traditional story about gods

What was the cause and purpose of a Greek epic?

To teach Greeks about important people in Greek history when they didn’t know how to write

What was the purpose of a Greek myth?

To work through the myth to understand the mysteries of nature and the power of human passions

What were the human characteristics of Greek mythology?

Greeks gave their gods human characteristics and emotions. These gods would fight often and were immortal