Minoans and Minoans and PhoeniciansPhoenicians

The Importance of TradeThe Importance of Trade

• As was the case with Buddhism, trade As was the case with Buddhism, trade between regions was important in the between regions was important in the transfer of ideas from the Near East (Middle transfer of ideas from the Near East (Middle East) to area on the edges of Europe (in the East) to area on the edges of Europe (in the Mediterranean Sea)Mediterranean Sea)

• This trade will have a profound effect on This trade will have a profound effect on Europe in the short term and the lager world Europe in the short term and the lager world in the long termin the long term

The MinoansThe Minoans

• The dominant sea faring people of the 2The dominant sea faring people of the 2ndnd century B.C.E. were the Minoans from the century B.C.E. were the Minoans from the island of Creteisland of Crete

• The Minoans became an important “stepping The Minoans became an important “stepping stone” for the eventual migration toward stone” for the eventual migration toward GreeceGreece

• The Minoans are named for King Minos (who The Minoans are named for King Minos (who kept the Minotaur in a labyrinth)kept the Minotaur in a labyrinth)

• Minoans created beautiful works Minoans created beautiful works of art.of art.

• Minoan culture will never be fully Minoan culture will never be fully understood because it came to a understood because it came to a sudden end.sudden end.

• Historians debate what caused the Historians debate what caused the civilization's demise, but it seems civilization's demise, but it seems to be tied to a natural disaster – to be tied to a natural disaster – may have been an earthquake or may have been an earthquake or tsunami associated with Santorini tsunami associated with Santorini IslandIsland

Rise of the PhoeniciansRise of the Phoenicians

• As the Minoans disappear, the Phoenicians As the Minoans disappear, the Phoenicians take their place as the pre-eminent trading take their place as the pre-eminent trading force in the Mediterranean Seaforce in the Mediterranean Sea

• Phoenicians were master ship builders Phoenicians were master ship builders • They are said to have traveled to Britain and They are said to have traveled to Britain and

around the coast of Africa nearly 2,500 years around the coast of Africa nearly 2,500 years before anyone elsebefore anyone else

• Phoenicia founded many colonies along the Phoenicia founded many colonies along the coast of the Mediterranean (Carthage)coast of the Mediterranean (Carthage)

The Alphabet The Alphabet

• Because the Phoenicians were so involved in Because the Phoenicians were so involved in trading one of their most important legacies trading one of their most important legacies was the creation of an alphabet was the creation of an alphabet

• Letters were needed to form communication Letters were needed to form communication to keep transactions straight.to keep transactions straight.

AssignmentAssignment

• To understand just how significant trade is, To understand just how significant trade is, think about how trade has effected your lifethink about how trade has effected your life

• List some of the products, holidays, music, List some of the products, holidays, music, and literature that have been included in and literature that have been included in your life, and explain the influence they have your life, and explain the influence they have had on your everyday lifehad on your everyday life