1. 5.1 Cultures of the Mountains5.1 Cultures of the Mountains
and the Seaand the Sea
The roots of Greek culture are basedThe roots of Greek culture are based
on interaction of the Mycenaean,on interaction of the Mycenaean,
Minoan, and Dorian culturesMinoan, and Dorian cultures
5.15.1

2. Geography Shapes Greek LifeGeography Shapes Greek Life
– Ancient GreeceAncient Greece
Collection of separate lands where Greek-Collection of separate lands where Greek-
speaking people livespeaking people live
Includes mainland and about 2000 islandsIncludes mainland and about 2000 islands
– The SeaThe Sea
The sea shapes Greek civilizationThe sea shapes Greek civilization
Proximity to sea, lack of resourcesProximity to sea, lack of resources
encourage sea travel and tradeencourage sea travel and trade

3. Geography Shapes Greek LifeGeography Shapes Greek Life
– The LandThe Land
Mountains slow travel, divide land intoMountains slow travel, divide land into
regionsregions
Lack of fertile land leads to smallLack of fertile land leads to small
populations, need for coloniespopulations, need for colonies
– The ClimateThe Climate
Moderate climate promotes outdoor lifeModerate climate promotes outdoor life
Greek men, especially, spend much of theirGreek men, especially, spend much of their
time outsidetime outside

4. Mycenaean Civilization DevelopsMycenaean Civilization Develops
The Trojan WarThe Trojan War
– Trojan War – fought by MycenaeansTrojan War – fought by Mycenaeans
against city of Troy in 1200s BCagainst city of Troy in 1200s BC
– Once though to be fictional,Once though to be fictional,
archaeological evidence has been foundarchaeological evidence has been found

5. Greek Culture Declines UnderGreek Culture Declines Under
the Doriansthe Dorians
Dorians Replace MycenaeansDorians Replace Mycenaeans
– Mycenaean civilization collapses aroundMycenaean civilization collapses around
1200 BC1200 BC
– Dorians – possibly relatives to theDorians – possibly relatives to the
Bronze AgeBronze Age
– Greeks – move into GreeceGreeks – move into Greece
– Less advanced than Mycenaeans,Less advanced than Mycenaeans,
Dorians leave no written recordsDorians leave no written records

6. Greek Culture Declines UnderGreek Culture Declines Under
the Doriansthe Dorians
Epics of HomerEpics of Homer
– Oral tradition grows, especially epics ofOral tradition grows, especially epics of
Homer – blind storytellerHomer – blind storyteller
– Epic – a narrative poem about heroicEpic – a narrative poem about heroic
deedsdeeds
– Homer’s Epic theHomer’s Epic the IliadIliad, about Trojan, about Trojan
War, shows Greek heroic idealWar, shows Greek heroic ideal

7. Greek Culture Declines UnderGreek Culture Declines Under
the Doriansthe Dorians
Greeks Create MythsGreeks Create Myths
– Greeks develop their own myths – traditionalGreeks develop their own myths – traditional
stories about godsstories about gods
– Greeks seek to understand mysteries of lifeGreeks seek to understand mysteries of life
through mythsthrough myths
– Greeks attribute human qualities – love, hate,Greeks attribute human qualities – love, hate,
jealousy – to their godsjealousy – to their gods
– Zeus, ruler of Gods, lives on Mount OlympusZeus, ruler of Gods, lives on Mount Olympus
with his wife, Herawith his wife, Hera
– Zeus’s daughter Athena is goddess of wisdomZeus’s daughter Athena is goddess of wisdom
and guardian of citiesand guardian of cities