Influences of Political v Physical Geography

• Social Studies

Political v Physical Geological and the role played in Medieval Civilizations

Warm-up:

What are the differences between a Political Map and a Physical Map?

Environments/Ecosystems

Political Map

Physical Map

Countries/States/Cities

Man Made Boundaries

Terrain & Elevation

Where is Greece?

Europe

Africa

Where is Greece?

Europe

Africa

Greece is a peninsula in South-East Europe

Ancient Greece, situated in southeastern Europe, was a region of diverse landscapes and city-states that played a pivotal role in shaping Western civilization. The geographical features of Greece - characterized by its many mountains, numerous islands, and mild climate - greatly influenced the development of its economy, culture, and military.

Due to the numerous mountain ranges, the use of horses was rare. As a result, Greek militaries relied heavily on foot soldiers with heavy armor, which in turn greatly affected the development of Greek military tactics.

Quick travel was also difficult across Greece, making it difficult to manage and rule over large areas of land. Consequently, cities ruled themselves independently from each other.

Greece has many Peninsulas - How would this influence Ancient Civilization?

Easy access to water was very important. 

Water provides a very easy way to travel and trade. 

Travel by boat is faster and easier than travel by land. 

The Greeks became great sailors.

Greece has a very hilly and mountainous interior. How did this affect its development?

The mountains and hills provided great natural defensive

barriers. But they also cut the cities off from each other.

Thus the Greeks developed the city-state.

• The mountains and hills provided great natural defensive barriers. 
• Separated the cities off from each other.
• Thus the Greeks developed the city-state.
  

Looking at the map of Greece, what physical features do you recognize? Hills and Mountains 

How did this affect its development?

The Minoans and Mycenaeans

The Minoans and Mycenaeans play an important role in ancient Greek history- helped develop ancient Greece.

Minoans - in power from 2600 B.C.E. until 1400 B.C.E. and lived on the Greek islands. They constructed a large palace on the island of Crete.

Mycenaeans - from 1600 B.C.E. until 1100 B.C.E. They occupied the mainland area of Greece.

The Minoans did not live on the Greek peninsula. They lived on the nearby island of Crete. They traded with the ancient Greeks

The Mycenaean were a tribe of warlike people who thought they were the best warriors in the world. They fought with everybody on the Greek peninsula. They used stone weapons, and nearly always won. They ruled very early Greece for a long time.

The Minoans occupied the islands of Greece and mainly lived on the island of Crete.

The Minoans capital city was named Knossos and located on the island of Crete.

The Minoans were constantly rebuilding their cities due to natural disasters like earthquakes, tidal waves, and erupting volcanoes.

The Mycenaeans occupied the mainland of Greece and the Peloponnesian area.

Their capital city was called Mycenae. Other ancient Mycenaean cities included Athens and Thebes.

Facts about Minoans and Mycenaeans

Sort these evets into the correct chronological order…