The first European Civilization: The Greeks 2200-400 B.C.

• "Within Classical Greek Civilization there appeared ideas. Art forms, and types of government whose influence on western civilization has lasted down to the present day."
• The Athenian Acropolis was already ancient when its temples were rebuilt after Persian invaders destroyed them in the fifth century B.C. The Parthenon (right) was the "place of the Maiden"- the "home" of the city-state`s virgin goddess, Athena.
• Barbarian is a term used to describe the distinctive way of life based on farming, warfare, and tribal organization that become widespread in Europe beginning around 2500 B.C.
• Megaliths is massive rough-cut stones used to construct monuments and tombs
• Tribe is a social and political unit consisting of a group of communities held together by common interests, traditions, and real or mythical ties of kinship
• The earliest Europeans
• Even before this historic encounter, the way of life of the peoples of Europe had undergone many changes and advances.
• By 4000 B.C. farming and village life had spread throughout the continent
• Chronology:
• 3500 B.C. Megalithic Structures constructed in Europe
• 4600-430 B.C. Golden Age of Athens
• The Barbarian Way of life
• Stonehenge: The most famous of megalithic structures was built by a farming and trading people in the west of England about 2000 B.C.
• "when leading warrior dies, his horses and chariot, his bronze (or later, iron) swords and daggers, and his gold and silver drinking cups would all go to the grave with him-presumably so he could go riding, fighting, and drinking as a comrade of the gods in the afterlife."
• The Greek Homeland: The Greeks settled in mainland Greece from about 2000B.C. onward, coming as migrants from somewhere farther north.
• The Aegean Encounter:
• The scene of this encounter was a region stretching from mainland Greece across the Aegean Sea.
• Minoan Civilization
• The Arrival Of the Greeks: Mycenaean Civilization
• The "Dark Ages"
• Colony: In ancient Greece, a new city-state settled in an oversea territory by a group sponsored by a city-state located elsewhere
• Oracle: A priest or priestess who was believed to give answers that where inspired by a god or goddess to questions from worshipers at a temple.