Adam Brown - World History: Ancient History, United States History, European, Native American, Russian, Chinese, Asian, African, Indian and Australian History, Wars including World War 1 and 2 [2nd Edition]

Ancient Greece is perhaps one of the most famous civilizations from ancient times. Located in southeast Europe, and known as Hellas or Ellada in Greek, it is made up of the mainland and countless islands scattered across the Mediterranean. Ancient Greece saw the birth of astronomy, western philosophy (including Socrates, Aristotle and Plato), literature, mathematics, democracy and even the Olympic Games. Ancient Greece was much more scientific than what we may initially give it credit for: Democritus and Leucippus both put forth their theory of an atomic universe at this time. The Latin alphabet was born in Ancient Greece after the Phoenicians brought it into the country. And dont forget Archimedes who was a pioneer in engineering and physics.

The mainland of Greece is enveloped by the Mediterranean Sea on three sides, with several clusters of islands grouped together. These include the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, the Ionians, Crete and the peninsula area called the Peloponnese. All of these areas had their own identities and cultures at one time before they were grouped into one culture in Ancient Greek history.

The landscape of the country had a deep impact on the culture and identity of Ancient Greece. It had few natural resources on land and was enveloped by water to such an extent that the ocean provided much in the way of resources. Around eighty percent of Greece is actually made up of mountains. The small rivers and streams provide water only suitable for growing crops. As a result, the earliest Greeks took to the sea, establishing colonies on the various islands along modern day Turkey, known in antiquity as Asia Minor. The Ancient Greeks developed a reputation as great seafarers and merchants who traded raw construction materials. From them came great artists who created some of the most awe-inspiring buildings and monuments in history.

Ancient Greek history is usually divided into several eras. During the Paleolithic era the country was already inhabited by people, as indicated by evidence that was found at the Franchthi and the Petralona caves. During the Neolithic era (c. 6,000 2,900 BCE), Greece established various small permanent settlements. Also, it began the domestication of animals and the process of agriculture. The archaeological record at places such as Sesklo, Thessaly and Macedonia in northern Greece suggests that there was an exodus from Anatolia, which can be seen mostly in the distinct styles of pottery that were found in Neolithic Anatolia. Those who lived in northern Greece were the first farmers in the country because this area was much more suited to agriculture than the rest of Greece. Houses here were typically one story high with a single room and a wooden roof.

The Cycladic Civilization (3,200 1,100 BCE) developed within the islands located in the Aegean Sea. Various islands including Delos, Paros and Naxos show the first sign of continuous human occupation in this area. At this time, both residential and religious Greek buildings were constructed with stone. The people are known to have relied on trading and fishing to survive. This era is separated into three sub-periods: the Early Cycladic, the Middle Cycladic and the Late Cycladic Period. Through all of these periods, there was a progression in complexity for the arts and the construction of buildings. The Middle Cycladic and the Late Cycladic Periods corresponded with the Minoan period, in which the two finally combined with no recognizable difference.

The Minoan era (2,700 1,500 BCE) began on the island of Crete, which is located in the south near the countrys borders. The culture that flourished here was named Minoan by the famous archaeologist, Sir Arthur Evans. He discovered the Minoan palace of Knossos at the turn of the 20 th century, which was named after the renowned ruler of Crete, King Minos. We do not know what the people here called themselves. What we do know, however, is that the civilization on Crete progressed rapidly.

One of the earliest writing systems was developed on the island of Minoan Crete. Known to the world as Linear A, this language has still not been deciphered. We also know that the people were great ship builders, skilled artists, scientists and formidable fighters. Numerous ancient historians, including Thucydides, name Minos as the first Cretan king to create a naval power that enabled him to conquer and colonize the Cyclades. The archaeological record suggests that the Minoans overused the natural resources of the island and caused deforestation. It is generally understood that they were eventually defeated by the Mycenaeans. There also occurred a volcanic eruption at modern day Santorini (known in antiquity as Thera), somewhere between 1650 1550 BCE. The volcano resulted in a massive tsunami that caused the destruction of this great civilization. Some theorists suggest that this is what eventually provided the inspiration for Platos Atlantis.