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Chapter One: The Greeks and the Bronze Age (1st Greek Civilization;…
Chapter One: The Greeks and the Bronze Age
The Arrival of the Greeks
Came from the East; Indo-European, North of Black Sea
Indo-European languages: Old Norse, German, Spanish, Latin, Greek, French, English, Russian, Hindi
They don't immediately dominate, but dominate native people over time
Not through violence, but intermarriage mostly
Two Major Civilizations that Ancient Greeks encountered
Cycladic (fl. 2700-2400 B.C)
Sculptures
Nude females
2D
Very proportioned (geometry)
Marble
Lots of paint, eyes, no mouth, jewelry, hair, zig-zag patterns
Not sure of function (fertility?)
Cyclades Islands
Very decentralized/desocialized settlements, no dominant settlements/palaces
No evidence of writing
'Gave' Greeks geometry
Minoan (fl. 2000-1500)
Spread through Aegean Sea, centred on Crete
Name comes from Minos, Ruler of Crete
Very civilized; centred on Knossus
Remarkable architecture and features(indoor plumbing, running water)
Evidence of Earthquakes in 1700(divides into old and new palace periods)
Able to rebuild because they are flourishing . Successful economically, trading lots
Palaces supported administrators, taxes, redistribution of wealth
First written languageL Linear A (has not been translated). On clay tablets(inventory) & gemstones (seals)
Linear B: Mycenaean -> Ancient Greek
Thought to be peace loving, because no defensive structures in place, didn't fear assault
1st Greek Civilization; Mycenaean (1650-1200)
Introduction
Written language: Linear B
Mainlands: Peloponnese, Athens, Thebes,
Mycenae
Indo-Europeans
Massive, fortified palaces, on elevated ground, ready for attack
Copied Minoan Art, not innovators, but geniuses at architecture
Name comes from Mycenae, whose King was Agamemnon(King during Trojan war, according to Homer)
Became dominant in1650, took over Knossus ca. 1450(damages to palaces in 1500). This was transition from Linear A to B
Linear B
Michael Ventris-1952: Discovered Linear B was Greek, as well as derived from Linear A.
Greek, but not using Greek Alphabet(Syllabary)
wa-na-ka (wanax): King
qa-si-re-u (basileus): under king
do-e-ro/do-e-ra (doulos): Slave
Burial Practices
Tombs
Minoan: egalitarian basis, simple graves, no distinctions
Mycenaean: Reflection of status, buried with wealth
Heinrich Schliemann: 1876
1st excavation of burial in Mycenae
Found 2 major grave circles (A&B)
A: 6 graves, enormous wealth, gold death mask of Agamemnon
Found ornamental weapons, jewelry, pottery, food & drink vessels
1500: new grave practices
Tholos: ("Dome") Tomb, built into hill ("Treasury of Athens")
*Gold foil masks only on men
Collapse
1650: Domination
1200: end of Mycenaean civilization, but not sure why
Similar collapse happens within Hittite civilization, Egyptians are challenged, loses predominance, City of Troy faces defeat
Theory: Invading forces caused people movement. Result of Invaders:
Very sudden and prolonged decrease in population
Decentralization: fortresses provide protection, stability, in 1200 palaces 'collapsed'; couldn't have organizing effects, communities separated
Loss of Literacy: Linear B no longer used
Ceramic Vessels: Quality declines. loss in skill
Burial Practices: no longer any evidence of distinction
6.. Central Administration no longer effective
Decreased trade, economic stagnation: no longer able to import tin(needed to make bronze)
Greatly deceased class of skill labourers: scrounging for existence