Seafaring on the Mediterranean Sea

New ideas come to new societies

The role of traders

They spread Buddhism to s.w. Asia and ChinaThey will play the same role on the Mediterranean SeaNew ideas on god,writing,religion,art

The Minoans2000-1400 B.C.Lived on isle of CreteEdge of the Aegean SeaProduced finest pottery of the timeBig time traders-swords,pottery,goldExported their culture

Minoan culture

They become a stepping stone for culture throughout the areaUnique architectureBurial customsThey will influence Greece

Krossos

Minoan capital cityProbably peaceful,no signs of protectionKing Minos-city named after himLegend of the minotaur

Minoan People

Excavations tell us much about themTheir painted walls show us many aspects of their livesVery graceful people

Minoan People

They were athleticThey enjoyed beautyLoved natureLiked boxing, wrestling, And bull leapingOlympic Pommel- horse?

Role of womenThey were held in higher esteem than in other culturesMother earth goddessRuled over the other godsIn charge of the shrinesAided by men!

Animal sacrifice

Worshipped bulls ( no, not the Chicago Bulls)Sacrifice animals to their godsPossibly human sacrifice

End of their culture

In 1470 B.C.-earthquakes,volcanoes,tidal waves,dealt a blow to their city/culture that they never recover from.They hold on about 300 more yearsEnd about 1200 B.C.Probably overrun by Greece who take advantage of their weakened state

The Phoenicians

These guys are why you know your ABC’s

Phoenicians-not a true “empire” as we know it

They establish wealthy city-statesBYBLOSTYRESIDONAll are important trading centers

Shipbuilders/Sailors

They will excel at this!First to past the Straits of GibraltarGreat Britain?Africa?

Phoenician coloniesCarthage-greatest of allFounded 814 B.C.30 miles apartOne days sailTraded papyrusMost popular was a purple-red dye made from snailsPurple cloth-only very rich could afford

Phoenician alphabet

Traders needed recordsNeeded to record quickly,clearlyOne symbol-one soundMany similarities to Greek/English letters

Alpha-Bet

First two letters of their new way of writing were alpha and betaAlpha-bet get it?They will introduce this everywhere they go

Phoenician Traders

Their boats can travel 30 miles in one dayThey set up city-states 30 miles apartReload/unload as neededCities will compete with each other

Trade routes take a hit

Assyrians capture eastern citiesPersia and Babylon take overExiled Phoenicians will set up more cities west of CarthageTheir culture will spread even further

Things to remember

Alphabet- made reading/writing easier for allOpened trade to most of civilized worldInsured exchange of culture/beauty/art/religion/new ideasHeavily influenced emerging Greek civilization