Ancient Greece Flashcards
Where do the Europeans trace their heritage from?
The Greek and Roman Civillizations
Give a bit of information about the Minoans
They were the people living on Crete, an island in Southern Greece. It was King Minos who developed the Minoans. Major excavations show well planned towns with open rectangular courtyards, banquet halls, living quarters for the royalty as well as slaves and artisans. They had remarkable art and architecture. But, we have not yet deciphered their language and script. They were not military people but they were great traders. However, after five centuries of prosperity, an earthquake destroyed most of the palace centres.
Give a bit of information about the Mycenaeans
The Mycenaeans emerged from Mycenae and overpowered the Minoans. The Mycenaeans are considered to be the First Greeks since they were from mainland Greece. They were both great traders and superb warriors. They started using iron implements in 1000 BCE, ushering the Iron Age. But due to a crop failure and a weak economy, the Mycenaean culture began to decline and created a political vacuum in Greece. The times after that were known as the Dark Ages.
What were the similarities between the two cultures?
They both thrived simultaneously, amassing a lot of wealth. They had bureaucrats, who kept records of tax collection, property and livestock of the people. These two civillizations continued to trade between themselves and also in the entire region. They also shared the same language.
