HIST-1011 Lecture 1: Greek History - Complete Class Notes
19 Jun 2018
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MAY 1st:
Nutshell: Greek Geography is a collection of city states known as Polis. {Attica (Athens), Peloponnese (Greek homeland, Sparta)
Macedonia (Alex the great was born here) Ionia (Turkey) Crete and Cyclades.} {Cyprus and Egypt and Phonencia.} {Magna Graecia
and Sicily}
The Neolithic Period
CA7000-3000 BCE
- Stone Age
- Development of Agriculture
- Introduction of pottery
- Villages; Megaron architecture
Bronze Age- CA3000 to 1600 BCE
No clear written record, so we identify it by their tools
- Bronze a non-natural element which was obtained through trade networks which shows a growth of wealth and hierarchy.
We think they spoke: Indo-European and Proto-Greek
- We have tablets (Linear A & B), which showcase places, names and nouns.
- Anatolian Influence (Turkey); a suggestion that it occurred either through trade or invasion people
- Linear A - Crete Linear B - Mainland and Crete (Michael Ventris + John Chadwick)
Linear B assisted us in understanding Minoan cultures.
Minoan Culture (2000-1500)
- This culture was centred around palaces which served as places of trade, authority, religion and politics.
-They are quiet wealthy due to their position (Trades with: Cyclades, Egypt and Levant)
- We assume they were an Thalassocracy (Sea Power?)
-There was a massive volcanic eruption causing destruction which created a downward spiral of loss.
-Entire Island of Crete is owned by Minoans
-The Motifs and Myth of Minotaur (Laberythn)
Sir Arthur Evans and Knossos
- British Archaeologist, late 19th century
- The Ottoman empire was in control from 1898 leaving the British to handle the matters
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
- Immediately begins digging at Knossos
- Recreated starting the years 1905.. which may not be very truthful.
Cycladic Culture: 3200-2000 BCE
- Mineral resources, marble and stone
- Agriculture and Fishing
-Trade with each other, mainland, Crete and Ionia.
-Most of our evidence from this time comes from graves which suggests certain religious practices or the ability to take the wealth
back if needed.
Rise of the Mycenaeans 1600-1200
- Centered in Peloponnese
- Invade Crete and take over palaces
- Heavily influenced by Minoans
- Wanax (Warrior, Chief, King, Commander)
-Rich materials left behind, and gold.
-Evidence of warfare: Chariots, Bronze Armour,
The Mycenaean Megaron
- Centre of Palace
- Large, circular hearth
- Throne room for Wanax? Religious function?
- Tholos Tombs (Hillside graves for families, tall and elaborate)
Heinrich Schliemann, Troy and Mycenae
- 19th century German Archaeologist,
- Followed Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey
- Excavated Troy and Mycenae (In a poor way, TNT and did not follow other historical accounts only myths and literatures.)
The End of the Mycenaeans 1250 BCE - Fully abandoned by 1100.
- Sea peoples?
- Legendary “Doric” invaders / Conflict and War / Revolt of slaves and peasants
- Natural disasters
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
“Dark Age” - CA1200-750 BCE
- Evidence of corruption, invasions and droughts; Mycenaean civilizations loose power.
-No large stone structures were built, no evidence of writing or any materials.
-Iron starts being utilized
-Migration, colonization and dislocation (Athens to Ionia, Thessaly to Anatolia, Mycenaeans to Cyprus)
-We have collected some truths from oral traditions preserved in Homers epics: Organization by chiefdom (anax/basileus), deci-
sions by counsel and meetings of assemblies (Boule collection of elites), role of the gods and importance of religious ritual
-The end of the Dark Age we find the first Greek writing: Nestor’s Cup (Wine cup referring to Homer), Dipylon Inscription (Wine
jug referring to dances and parties)
END of the dark age
-expansion of the greek world and population
Archaic Period: CA 750-480 BCE
-Rise of the Polis (City-state) IE: Athens and Sparta and Synoecism (Living together)
-Real beginnings of Greek literature
-Colonization and geographical expansion
-Persian War - 449-479
-Some polis became ruled by Tyrannos (Someone who seized power, and was not chosen but not always negative.)
-Beginnings of Democracy
- Growth of Hoplite Armies (Citizen infantry)
Persian Wars
Unrest in Ionia begins in Greek cities which are under Persian Rule.
Ionians burn Sardis (Persian Capital)
Persian retaliates (Sack of Miletus) and attack of mainland Greece under Darius except they are defeated by Athenians at
Marathon.
Persian attack mainland under Xerxes where Athens is sacked and defeated by Athenians at Salamis, Plataea
Conflict ongoing in Asia but leads to Classical Period.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Nutshell: greek geography is a collection of city states known as polis. Macedonia (alex the great was born here) ionia (turkey) crete and cyclades. } No clear written record, so we identify it by their tools. Bronze a non-natural element which was obtained through trade networks which shows a growth of wealth and hierarchy. We have tablets (linear a & b), which showcase places, names and nouns. Anatolian influence (turkey); a suggestion that it occurred either through trade or invasion people. Linear b - mainland and crete (michael ventris + john chadwick) Linear b assisted us in understanding minoan cultures. This culture was centred around palaces which served as places of trade, authority, religion and politics. They are quiet wealthy due to their position (trades with: cyclades, egypt and levant) We assume they were an thalassocracy (sea power?) There was a massive volcanic eruption causing destruction which created a downward spiral of loss. Entire island of crete is owned by minoans.
