an island off the southeast of the Greek mainland; where the Minoans lived

an archawologist who unearthed the remains of the Minoan civilization

a maze with twists and turns; King Minos had labyrinths in his palace

people who lived on the island of Crete; curled hair, wore gold jewelry and metal belts; fond of dancing and sporting events according to murals

Minoan women had a higher status than other women before them.  The Minoan religion had more goddesses than gods.  The chief diety of Crete was the Great Goddess, or Earth Mother, who Minoans thought caused the birth and growth of all living things.

The island's location helped the Minoans to trade with Egypt and Mesopotamia.  Because they were surrounded by water, they were known for their sea trade, and they dominated the easter Mediterranean.  The ships kept the seas free if pirates and also protected Crete against outside attack which explains why they did not need walls around their cities.

1) Minoan civilization might have been destroyed by a huge tidal wave from an undersea earthquake

2) Think that the Mycenaeans (people from Greek mainland) invaded Crete

originated among the Indo-European peoples of central Asia; population grew very large and they moved into Balkan Peninsula (where Greece is) and intermarried with the local people

Land was hilly and kingdoms were on hilltops with fortresses.  Stone walls circled the fortresses, providing a shelter in time of danger. 

Artisans tanned leather, sewed clothes, made jars for storing wine and olive oil, and made swords and shields.  Government kept records of the wealth of every person in the kingdom; they collected taxes in the form of wheat, livestock, and honey, which were stored in the palace.

The Mycenaeans adopted metalworking, shipbuilding, navigation by the sun and stars, and worship of the Earth Mother. 

Overseas trade stopped.  Poverty increased and people lost skills like writing and craftmaking.  In 750 B.C., the Ioanians re-introduced culture.  They introduced trade and the alphabet, and this new civilization was called the Hellenic civilization.

It is about Paris (a Trojan prince) falling in love with Helen (the wife of a Mycenaean king).  Paris kidnaps Helen and takes her back to Troy with him.  Mycenaean soldiers hide in the Trojan horse and besiege the city of Troy, enslave the women, and burn the city to the ground.

Describes the adventures of Odysseus after the fall of Troy.  It took Odysseus 10 years to return to Greece.

They taught students to be proud of their heritage and ancestors.  They also taught students to love nature, to have feelings and strong relationships and friendships.  Lastly, they taught dignity and to strive for excellence.

They approached their gods with dignity.  The Greeks humanized their deities.  They tried to honor them to the best of their abilities because they believed the gods were powerful and controlled many of life's important events. 

Zeus- chief deity; god of sky, weather, thunderstorms

Athena= goddess of wisdom and art

Demeter= goddess of agriculture

Aphrodite= goddess of love and beauty

Pluto- god of underworld

Apollo= god of light

Dionysus= god of wine and fertility

Every 4 years the Greeks would hold the Olympics for the "greater glory of Zeus."  They originated the "play" in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility.  As years went by, theaters were built.