Early People of the Aegean Minoan Civilization Based on the island of Crete, named after King...
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Transcript of Early People of the Aegean Minoan Civilization Based on the island of Crete, named after King...
Early People of the Aegean Minoan Civilization
Based on the island of Crete, named after King Minos
2000- 1400 B.C.E.
Powerful civilization, dominated Mediterranean trade Produced beautiful pottery
Characterized by palace cities, extensive trade networks with Egypt and Mesopotamia and sophisticated artwork Rulers lived in a palace at
Knossos
Traded not only good but culture: unique architectural style, burial customs, and religious rituals Traded with Egypt and
Phoenicia
Minoan Social Order
Centered on ruler, which was reflected in layout King’s palace was always at
center
Served as political, economic, and cultural focal point Knossos the most important
palace in Crete
Women held important religious positions
Culture of Minoans
Rooms for royal family and religious shrines. Covered with beautiful
frescoes. Reflect importance of sea
and religion.
Trade flourished due to its favorable geographic position. Traded with Egypt – cultural
diffusion
Cultural influences and important raw materials came from Egypt and Mesopotamia.
Mysterious End
Civilization ends around 1200 B.C.E.
Unclear why Natural disaster?
1700 B.C.E. – earthquake 1470 B.C.E.- earthquake,
volcano reflection Overpopulation? Invaders?
Civilization lingers after 1470 B.C.E. but never powerful again
Mycenaean Civilization
Indo-Europeans 2000 B.C.E.
Location Steep, rocky ridge Surrounded by
protective wall Could withstand
almost any attack Warrior-king
Lots of weapons found at Mycenaean sites
Controlled trade in Aegean and Ionian Seas
Mycenaean Civilization
Culture and Trade Luxurious lifestyle for
nobles and Kings Strong culture led by
wealthy warrior-Kings Buried with treasures Bronze weapons, gold
cups Invaded Crete and other
nearby cities Cultural diffusion
Minoan sailing Minoan writing system art
Mycenaean Civilization
Trojan War 1200 B.C.E.
10 year war with Troy (Anatolia) Legend of Helen
Thought to be fictional 1870 C.E. Heinrich
Schliemann finds Troy
Struggle over waterways and trade
Greek Culture Declines under the Dorians
Dorians Mycenaean civilization
collapsed after war Moved into war-torn
countryside
Spoke Greek Far less advanced than
Mycenaean's
Economy collapsed Writing stopped from 1150-
750 B.C.E. Period of decline
Commerce and Colonization
Period of 750 to 600 B.C.E = intense population growth
Colonization expanded from Black Sea to across Mediterranean
Led to expansion of trade Greek merchants sold
wine and olive oil
Money economy replaced traditional barter system Swapping goods
for one another
Persians Emerged around 612 B.C.E.
between the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea
Led by Cyrus the Great Expanded empire over 2000
miles Was a military genius Legacy
Method of governing Showed kindness and
compassion towards conquered peoples
Honored local customs and religions
Persian Rule and Culture
After Cyrus’ death, kingdom led by Darius
Darius’ achievements Empire administration
Divided empire into 20 provinces
Each province still practiced own religion, spoke own language, and followed own laws
Still ruled with absolute power through Satraps
Governors who ruled locally Called Imperial
bureaucracy
Standardized Money Created metal coins of
a standard value Promoted trade
Royal Road Road system that
unified and linked empire
Over 1,677 miles
Persian Religion
Zoroastrianism Created by a prophet
named Zoroaster around 600 B.C.E.
Taught two spiritual armies fought for control of a person’s soul
God of light, god of darkness
Monotheistic? Encourage to follow
God of Light
Beliefs People controlled own fate Final judgment at death
Paradise or underworld
Collection of holy writings called Avesta
Influenced many world religions Judaism, Christianity,
Islam Spread into India