1. Environment of Greece and the Aegean and its Consequences

topographical map

pattern of fragmentation

mountains

Pindos range (north)

Mt. Olympus (north)

Mt. Helicon (central)

plains

sea and islands

islands/coastline

acropolis, #2

climate and weather

2. Bronze Age Aegean

Minoan civilization: ca. 2000-1470 B.C. (Crete, Knossos, King Minos)

Mycenean civilization: ca. 1700-1100 B.C. (mainland, Mycenae, Pylos)

A. contact with east: e.g. Ugarit in Syria

the Uluburun shipwreck: trade in the Mediterranean

sources of commodities at Troy

Minoan Crete and the Aegean

B. The Discovery of the Bronze Age

1. The Discovery of the Bronze Age, con.

eastern Mediterranean

19C: Heinrich Schliemann: "discovered" Troy

Frank Calvert

Sophia Schliemann

Mycenae and Pylos: Mycenean civilization

1899: Sir Arthur Evans: discovered Minoan civilization on Crete (Knossos)

Knossos: throne room with frescoes (birds, bull "jumping")

Knossos from air

 2. Characteristics of Mycenean civilization

• king: wanax
• palaces and monumental architecture

  Mycenae

  Lion Gate (detail)

• fortifications (cp. Crete)

  Tiryns (interior gallery): ca. 13th century B.C.

• tombs, burials and riches

  "death mask of Agamemnon"

• control of extensive territory
• complex economies
• trade and industry
• polytheistic
• eastern influences and artifacts

  Mycenean dagger

   

   

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Updated Monday, 19-Sep-2005 13:07:39 CDT