20/10/08- Ancient Greek Civilization

HIST 105 FALL 2008

ANCIENT GREEK CIVILIZATION

1. Bronze-age civilizations
(2000 B.C- 12th century B.C. )

2. ‘The Dark Ages’
(12th century B.C.-8th century B.C.)

3. Classical Greek civilization
(8th century B.C- 4rd century B.C.)

3. Hellenistic world
(338 B.C.- 146 B.C.)

Emphasis on:
political system
connections with the Near East
commercial ties with the outside world

Minoans:

• Centered on the island of Crete
• Flourished especially around 17th century B.C.
• Primarily a mercantile people

Lineal A

Goddess or priestess, Crete, 1600 B.C

Mycenaeans:

• Centered in southern Greece
• Flourished especially between 1600-1200 B.C.
• A militaristic society living in walled towns

The cultures of Minoans and Myceneans resembled other early civilizations of the Near East:

• Developed urban life
• Centralized and monarchical system of government
• Large bureaucracies
• Similarities in religion, and in art

‘The Dark Ages’ (12th- 8th centuries B.C.):

• Urban decline and depopulation
• Fewer international contacts and less trade
• Simpler state structure
• No writing
• Art with simpler designs

Statuette of a horse, 8th century B.C