Greek Notes

• Greece is called the world word.
• Mesopotamia/ Tigris and Euphrates River.
• Egypt/ Nile River.
• India/ Indus River.
• China/ Huang He River.
• Terra means "Earth".
• Medit=Middle.
• Mediterranean Sea is in the middle of the earth.
• Crete- Biggest island in Greece.
• Geography its Significance
• Greece is a mountainous peninsula.
• Mountains cover 3/4 of Greece.
• Approx 1400 islands in the Adriatic, Ionian, and Aegean Seas.
• This combination shaped Greece's culture. They had many skilled sailors and shipbuilders.
• They had poor/limited natural resources, so they needed to trade.
• It was difficult to unite Ancient Greeks because of the terrain.
• They developed small independent communities/city-states.
• Only about 20% is suitable for farming.
• Arable-good for farming.
• Greek diet consists of grains, grapes, and olives.
• Lack of resources most likely led to colonization. 
• 40 degree in winter. Low 80's in Summer.
• Mycenaeans
• Their influence began around 2000 BCE.
• Mycenae is located on a rocky ridge and protected by a 20 foot tall wall.
• Mycenaean's Kings dominated Greece from 1600-1200 BCE.
• Controlled trade in religion.
• 1400 BCE- Mycenaeans invaded Crete and absorbed Minoan culture and language. 
• Then a "Sea of People" and Dorians
• Around 1200 BCE the mysterious "Sea People" began to invade Mycenae and burnt palace after palace.
• Dorians moved into this war-torn region.
• Dorians were far less advanced.
• The trade based economy collapsed.
• Writing disappeared for 400 years.