Ancient Ancient GreeceGreece

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Geography of Greece

•Greece was NOT a riverine civ.Greece was NOT a riverine civ.

•No major rivers in GreeceNo major rivers in Greece

•Very hilly and mountainousVery hilly and mountainous

•Early Greeks traded, and were Early Greeks traded, and were dependent on the seasdependent on the seas– Mediterranean and AegeanMediterranean and Aegean

Geography

•Arable land was limited because Arable land was limited because of rugged terrain.of rugged terrain.

•Sheep and goats were Sheep and goats were

more common than cattle.more common than cattle.

•Main crops: grapes, olives, datesMain crops: grapes, olives, dates

Geography

•The common Greek diet The common Greek diet included: goat cheese, included: goat cheese, seafood, grapes, olives, and seafood, grapes, olives, and wine. Not much pork or red wine. Not much pork or red meat. More fruits and meat. More fruits and veggies. Very healthy.veggies. Very healthy.

Geography•Greeks settled in valley areas Greeks settled in valley areas

between large mountains or between large mountains or hills.hills.

•Cities formed around a Cities formed around a central hill called the central hill called the Acropolis = high city.Acropolis = high city.

•Temples were built here.Temples were built here.

Government

•Polis-Polis- A small, self-governing A small, self-governing city-state. Consisted of the city-state. Consisted of the city and surrounding city and surrounding countryside.countryside.

•Examples: Sparta, AthensExamples: Sparta, Athens

•No big, central government No big, central government ruled Greece.ruled Greece.

•Greeks had no incentive to Greeks had no incentive to unify (no large-scale irrigation unify (no large-scale irrigation or agriculture projects like in or agriculture projects like in Egypt and Mesopotamia)Egypt and Mesopotamia)

•This led to isolation, localism, This led to isolation, localism, and EXTREME patriotism to and EXTREME patriotism to one’s polis.one’s polis.