01. Intro to Ancient Greece - SLIDESHOW.pptx

Ancient Greece

1. Introduction to ANCIENT GREECE

2. CONTENT Geography Origins and Culture Emergence of city states Uncovering early Greek History LESSON OBJECTIVES Demonstrate understanding of foundational elements of Ancient Greece Engage with the Greek Alphabet

3. GEOGRAPHY Where is Greece? EUROPE AFRICA

4. Where is Greece? AFRICA Greece is a peninsula in South-East Europe Spain Italy Mediterranean Sea Greece Egypt GEOGRAPHY EUROPE

5. Characteristics Lots of mountains Lots of islands Mild climate Cause and effect Lots of mountains = Greeks seldom used horses No horses = foot soldiers with heavy armor Difficult terrain = city states ruled themselves independently GEOGRAPHY

6. Ancient Greece, situated in southeastern Europe, was a region of diverse landscapes and city-states that played a pivotal role in shaping Western civilization. The geographical features of Greece - characterized by its many mountains, numerous islands, and mild climate - greatly influenced the development of its economy, culture, and military. Due to the numerous mountain ranges, the use of horses was rare. As a result, Greek militaries relied heavily on foot soldiers with heavy armor, which in turn greatly affected the development of Greek military tactics. Quick travel was also difficult across Greece, making it difficult to manage and rule over large areas of land. Consequently, cities ruled themselves independently from each other. GEOGRAPHY

7. ORIGINS & EARLY CULTURES Earliest Greek civilizations = Minoans and Myceneans These civilizations collapsed during the Bronze Age Collapse Greek Dark Ages (1200 BCE - 800BCE) = population decline, loss of writing The Trojan War (if it really happened) occurred at the beginning of the Greek Dark Ages

8. The roots of Ancient Greek civilization can be traced to around 3000 BCE, during the Bronze Age. The Minoan and Mycenean cultures were the early inhabitants of Greece, but the collapse of these civilizations during the Bronze Age Collapse (around 1200 B.C.E.) marked the beginning of a period known as the Greek Dark Ages (1200 – 800 B.C.E.). The Trojan War - if it really happened - occurred near the beginning of the Greek Dark Ages. During this dark age, Greece experienced a decline in population and a loss of written language, with communities relying on oral traditions to pass down their history and stories. ORIGINS & EARLY CULTURES

9. EMERGENCE OF CITY STATES 800 - 500 BCE = rise of city states (‘polis’) Each polis = distinct cultures with own governments, laws, & militaries City states would sometimes wage wars against each other ATHENS SPARTA FIGHT!

10. Greece also established several colonies around the Mediterranean EMERGENCE OF CITY STATES

11. The subsequent Archaic Period (800 – 500 B.C.E.) saw the re-emergence of Greek civilization. City-states (also known as ‘polis’) became the basic political units. Each city-state had its own government, laws, and military, fostering a sense of civic identity. The most famous city-states like Athens, Sparta, Corinth, and Thebes developed distinct political structures and cultural identities. These city states would even wage wars against each other. The establishment of colonies in the Mediterranean further expanded Greek influence. This period set the stage for the Classical era, characterized by remarkable achievements in philosophy, art, literature, and politics, making Ancient Greece the beacon of intellectual and cultural innovation. EMERGENCE OF CITY STATES

12. UNCOVERING EARLY GREEK HISTORY Almost no written records from the early period Archaeology = artifacts, pottery, and other items

13. Ancient Greek Historians Herodotus = “Father of History” Contain elements of mythology Often exaggerated HERODOTUS UNCOVERING EARLY GREEK HISTORY

14. Written records from this period are scarce, so studying early Greek history often involves piecing together fragments of information from various sources. Archaeology has played a crucial role in unraveling the mysteries of ancient Greece. Excavations at sites like Mycenae, Troy, and Knossos have unearthed artifacts, pottery, and other items, providing evidence of the past. Complementing archeological discoveries is the works of ancient Greek historians like Herodotus (nicknamed ‘The Father of History’), although these accounts often contain elements of mythology and exaggerated storytelling. The combination of archaeological evidence and historical writings enables modern scholars to construct a more comprehensive understanding of the early periods of Greek history. UNCOVERING EARLY GREEK HISTORY

15. Here is a chart of the Greek letters and their English equivalents. The red column contains small letters , and the blue column contains capital letters . Write your name (or as close as possible) using Greek letters. Write a secret message for a partner. Swap messages and decipher each others’ notes. ACTIVITY: THE GREEK ALPHABET

16. Now get to work!