Greek Civilization

Greek Civilization

1. Prehistoric Greek Cultures: BRONZE AGE

   • Minoans on Crete appears 7,000 BC
     • Knossos was the first "big" site developed by 3,500 BC and by 1,900 BC Linear A writing is in use.
       • 1380 BC- Mycenaeans conquer Crete and Minoans.
         • Mycenaeans on Greek mainland (ends around 1200-1100 BC)
           • Militaristic culture- shown from tombs and fortifications of cities. 1400-1200 BC was the height of Mycenaean civilization.
             • Linear B script, adapted from Linear A shows that they spoke Greek
               • Wanax= king, damos= people, telestai= noblemen

2. Dark Age Greece 1100 -750 BC

   • Iron replaces bronze extensively ca. 950 BC. Around 900, "Orientalizing" begins and trade is increased with the East
     • 776 BC- The first Olympic Games. Often used as a marker of end of Dark Ages.
   • Megaron of the Mycenaean Palace becomes the chieftan's house
     • In Dark Age, basileus= king, Wanax= title for Zeus, boule= a council that advises the king,
       • around 700's Greeks develop their own alphabet, inspired by the Phoenicians.

3. Archaic Period 750- 500 BC: FIVE MAJOR SOCIAL PHENOMENA

   • TRADE WITH THE EAST
     • Merchant class rose, "orientalization" of art, luxury goods traded for cash crop (olive oil, wool)
   • COLONIZATION AROUND MEDITERANEAN
     • This was meant to relieve over-population.
   • RISE OF THE POLIS
     • a sense of patriotism arises, nobles belong to a boule, nobles (telestai) also control ways of getting wealth
   • RISE OF HOPLITE WARFARE
     • invented by Pheidon of Argos ca. 670 BC, surpasses older methods of fighting, the middle class makes up the hoplites.
   • RISE OF TYRANNIES
     • a singlie man promises change for merchant, and hoplite class but becomes a military dictator. he is backed by both of these classes.
       • ie: Cypselids of Corinth—658 to 585 BC, using merchant class
       • Peisistratids of Athens—546 to 510, using hoplite and merchant classes