Greece has a rich history and historians date early settlements dating as far back as 11,000 B.C. during the Paleolithic era, however, during the second millennium B.C., the Minoan, the Mycenaen, and the Cycladic civilizations formed (Greeka).
The Cycladic Civilization (3200 - 1100 B.C.)
Small settlements were made during the Cycladic civilization because of the lack of fertile soil. Also because of this, fishing was a main part of the economy as well as trade with the island of Crete, which seems to have been the center of economic activity. Crete and the island of Aegean as well as Thessaly and Anatolia were colonized around 6000 B.C. and large agricultural communities started to form. These cities fished, produced clay pottery, and started sea expeditions. It also had “perfect conditions of human setting” including olive trees, grape vines, fertile plains, forests and water, which attracted immigrants and traders from all around the Mediterranean. Throughout most of the Cycladic civilization, there was a strong Crete influence, however it shifted over to the Minoan Sea empire in the beginning of the late Cycladic civilizations (Hellenic Foundation).
The Minoan Civilization (2600 - 1200 B.C.)
Sir Arthur Evans, around 1900 B.C. began excavations of Knossos, the leading city of ancient Crete. He discovered huge multistory buildings he called “Palace of Minos”, as a tribute to the legendary King of Crete, which is why the civilization of Crete has been called the Minoan civilization. The first settlers of Crete probably came from modern day Turkey before 3000 B.C., who became an ultimate sea power. They traded with older civilizations of Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Asia and because of this influence they were able to produce a highly advanced civilization.
In 1700 B.C., the palaces of Knossos and Phiastos were destroyed by earthquakes and reconstructed. The Minoan Sea Empire or thalassocracy was founded during this time as well. However, in 1600, the palaces were destroyed again and then reconstructed out of the ruins. Four palaces were created, Knossos, Phiastos, Malia, and Zaknos. These were mostly used for the exchange of products with the mainland. Knossos was destroyed again and not reconstructed in 1400. The bronze age brought metalworking from the East around 3000 B.C. It was the use of bronze in tool making and weaponry that served as a rebirth for the civilization in Greece. Overall, the period was characterized by rapid trade development and population growth. The Cycladic islands between Asia and Europe proved valuable for trade as it served as a safe harbor bridging the gap between the two countries.
The Minoan Civilization disappeared suddenly around 1500 B.C. possibly due to a huge volcanic eruption of the island Santorini. After this, the rival Mycenaean civilization took control of the trade network of Crete (Hellenic Foundation).
Trade routes are shown below.
In 1700 B.C., the palaces of Knossos and Phiastos were destroyed by earthquakes and reconstructed. The Minoan Sea Empire or thalassocracy was founded during this time as well. However, in 1600, the palaces were destroyed again and then reconstructed out of the ruins. Four palaces were created, Knossos, Phiastos, Malia, and Zaknos. These were mostly used for the exchange of products with the mainland. Knossos was destroyed again and not reconstructed in 1400. The bronze age brought metalworking from the East around 3000 B.C. It was the use of bronze in tool making and weaponry that served as a rebirth for the civilization in Greece. Overall, the period was characterized by rapid trade development and population growth. The Cycladic islands between Asia and Europe proved valuable for trade as it served as a safe harbor bridging the gap between the two countries.
The Minoan Civilization disappeared suddenly around 1500 B.C. possibly due to a huge volcanic eruption of the island Santorini. After this, the rival Mycenaean civilization took control of the trade network of Crete (Hellenic Foundation).
Trade routes are shown below.
The Mycenaean Civilization (1600 - 1100 B.C.)
The Greek mainland was first settled at about 2000 B.C. Geography was a big part of the formation of the Greek society because of the mountain ranges that divide Greece into small valleys, encouraging the formation of independent communities without a central ruler. The broken up coastline of Greece also encouraged it’s people to become sailors, traders, and warriors at sea. It was because of these sea enterprises that turned the little independent communities into wealthy states. The years from 1600 to 1100 B.C. are often called the Mycenaean Age because the Mycenae was the leading state among them.
The height of the wealth and culture of the Mycenaean’s was after the volcanic eruption which spurred the decline of the Minoans, allowing them to replace the Minoans as the leading influence of the Greek islands. The Mycenaean’s also had a large military strength which allowed them con conquer Crete and take control of the Minoan Trade Network. (Hellenic Foundation).
Map below is intended to show how mountainous Greece is.
The height of the wealth and culture of the Mycenaean’s was after the volcanic eruption which spurred the decline of the Minoans, allowing them to replace the Minoans as the leading influence of the Greek islands. The Mycenaean’s also had a large military strength which allowed them con conquer Crete and take control of the Minoan Trade Network. (Hellenic Foundation).
Map below is intended to show how mountainous Greece is.
Timeline
Greece on Dipity.
Population Change
Population pyramids of the world. (2011). Greece 1950. Retrieved from: http://populationpyramid.net/Greece/1950/
Population pyramids of the world. (2011). Greece 2010. Retrieved from: http://populationpyramid.net/Greece/2010/
Population pyramids of the world. (2011). Greece 2010. Retrieved from: http://populationpyramid.net/Greece/2010/
Sources
Greeka. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.greeka.com/greece-history.htm
Helenic foundation. (n.d.). The history of greece. Retrieved from http://www.hellenicfoundation.com/History.htm
Mountain high maps. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.mhmplus.com/single.htm?ipg=9612
Wikispaces. (2013). Trade history: Maps. Retrieved from http://aulosinternet.wikispaces.com/Maps?responseToken=02c09030327aba32e54f1f5661838dd58
Helenic foundation. (n.d.). The history of greece. Retrieved from http://www.hellenicfoundation.com/History.htm
Mountain high maps. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.mhmplus.com/single.htm?ipg=9612
Wikispaces. (2013). Trade history: Maps. Retrieved from http://aulosinternet.wikispaces.com/Maps?responseToken=02c09030327aba32e54f1f5661838dd58
Websites for additional information
http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/History/#classical
http://www.mapsofworld.com/greece/geography.html
http://www.mapsofworld.com/greece/geography.html