The geography of ancient Greece shaped Greek life. Greece is a peninsula surrounded by water on three sides, with a second peninsula called the Peloponnesus connected to the rest of Greece by an isthmus. Most of Greece's land was mountainous and unsuitable for farming, forcing many Greeks to establish colonies elsewhere or rely on the sea for trade and food. The earliest Greek civilization, the Mycenaeans, started around 2000 BC in the Peloponnesus and featured gold jewelry, bronze weapons, and fine pottery.

1. The Geography of Ancient Greece Chapter 11: Lesson 1

2. Geography Shapes Ancient Greek Life ·Greece is a peninsula, a body of land surrounded by water on 3 sides. ·The 2nd peninsula is called the Peloponnesus. ·An isthmus links the Peloponnesus with the rest of Greece.

3. Geography of Greece Peninsula Isthmus Peloponnesus

4. More Geography Mountains covered 70-80% of Greece ·This made it hard to unite under one rule ·This made transportation difficult NO RIVER SYSTEM…. -used 3 Seas for transportation/trade -Mediterranean, Ionian, Aegean Climate: mild rainy winters, hot dry summers

5. Aegean Sea Ionian Sea Mediterranean Sea

6. Agriculture ·Greek land was rocky, only 20-30% good for farming. ·More than ½ of all Greeks were farmers ·Only MEN could own property. ·A landowner could… ·Support himself/family ·Buy helmets, shields, and swords. 3. Was considered UPPER CLASS

7. More Agriculture ·Landowners could serve in the army and defend their homeland. ·In order to get more farmland, farmers had to go elsewhere and establish colonies.

8. Resources/Trade Resources/ Surpluses -stone for building -good harbors -olive oil -wine -wool -fine pottery

9. Resources/Trade Resources Lacked -nuts -figs -cheese -grain -timber -slaves -animal hides

10. A Seafaring People Greeks became skilled sailors and shipbuilders. ·Rowing ships for fighting ·Sailing ships for trading Used the Seas for trading and a source of food. -fish

11. The Earliest Greeks ·Earliest Greek civilization started around 2000 B.C. ·The 1st Greek civilization was built on the Peloponnesus. ·1st group of people called the Mycenaeans. ·Culture featured: gold jewelry, bronze weapons, writing, fine pottery. ·Their civilization collapsed around 1200 B.C.

13. New Advances in Greek Culture ·Greek culture flourished…thank you Phoenicians J ·Phoenicians quickly spread their writing system. ·(They had an alphabet) (22 letters) ·The Greek alphabet later evolved into our own alphabet of 26 letters. ·Greeks also learned about coins, literature and government.

15. Pop Quiz ·What is a peninsula? ·How are the peninsula, isthmus, and Peloponnesus connected? ·Why was it hard for farmers to grow crops in Greece? What did these conditions have farmers result in doing? ·What are 2 resources Greeks had and 2 resources Greeks lacked?

16. Pop Quiz ·How did the 3 seas act as “highways of water” for the ancient Greeks? ·What were the 1st Greeks called? ·Name ONE thing their culture featured. ·What group of people were able to spread their writing system and greatly impacted Greek culture?