MAP INT. ANC. CIV. FINALa
1/14/08
4:08 PM
Page 20
Name_________________________________ Date__________________________________
The Minoans
Read the paragraph for background information. Then use the map to answer the questions.
The Minoans lived entirely surrounded by water on the island of Crete. Sometimes known as
the Bull-Jumpers for a popular sport on the island, they might be better known as the shipbuilders of the ancient world. They were the first civilization to have a navy.
Without their navy, the Minoans might never have developed to the extent that they did. Elsewhere in the
Mediterranean Sea, ancient pirates controlled the waters. They would also land at towns and cities along the
coast and attack the people to steal their goods. The navy kept the Minoans safe and allowed the culture to
flourish.
The Minoans produced two famous forms of artwork. They covered their walls in colorful frescoes—paintings
made on wet plaster. They also made beautiful sculptures and vessels from bronze and pottery. During the
middle Minoan period, writing was developed and palaces were built. The first sophisticated form of writing
from the area is now called Linear A. A later form that came from the Greeks is known as Linear B.
1. What was Linear A and how does it relate to Knossos?
2. Which island is closest to 35°N and 24°E?
3. Look at the scale and the measures of latitude and latitude. Why is this information necessary when
comparing the map to other maps?
4. How many palace sites are shown on the map?
6. Which sea is south of Crete?
7. What are the approximate coordinates of Myrtos in
latitude and longitude?
8. If you travel directly west from Kato Zakro, which
palace will you come to next? Which settlement?
9. Which palace is closest to Mount Ida?
10. How far is Chrysi from Koufonision?
20
The Minoans
Maps: Ancient Civilizations © 2005 Creative Teaching Press
5. When did the Minoan culture first become established on Crete?
Page 21
4:08 PM
1/14/08
MAP INT. ANC. CIV. FINALa
N
S
E
2200 B.C.
Dia
Nirou
Chani
Knossos
20
Mallia
Chrysi
1600 B.C.
KEY
1000 B.C.
Maps: Ancient Civilizations © 2005 Creative Teaching Press
Linear B comes into use
Palaces rebuilt at Knossos
Linear A in common use over Crete
Late Minoan
Final destruction of Minoan palaces at Knossos
700 B.C.
Koufonision
Kato Zakro
35°N
Petsopha
Palaikastro
Elasa
Gianysades
Minoan palace site
Principal Minoan settlement
Mountain
Spinalonga
Praisos
Vasiliki
40 miles
Hierapytna
Karphi
Psychro cave
Gournia
Myrtos
1900 B.C.
1300 B.C.
20
0
40 kilometers
Conic Projection
0
Amnisos
Sea of Crete
THE MINOANS
C R E T E
Tylissos
Phaistos
Gortyn
Mount Ida
Ayia Triada
Paximadia
Gavdos
Libyan Sea
2500 B.C.
MINOAN CIVILIZATION TIMELINE
2800 B.C.
Middle Minoan
Destruction of early Minoan palaces at Knossos
Early Minoan palaces erected at Knossos
26°E
Khania
Gavdopoula
3100 B.C.
25°E
Gramvousa
W
3400 B.C.
Early Minoan
Bronze Age begins on Crete
24°E
21
The Minoans
MAP INT. ANC. CIV. FINALa
1/14/08
4:08 PM
Page 24
Name_________________________________ Date__________________________________
Early Greece
Read the paragraph for background information. Then use the map to answer the questions.
The city of Mycenae was located at the northernmost end of the Gulf of Argolis. After the
Minoans were destroyed by a combination of natural events (earthquakes and volcanic eruptions), the Mycenaeans decided to take over the island of Crete. From what remained of the
people there, they learned to build ships. Using bronze shields and weapons, they used the ships they built to
sail around the Aegean Sea, conquer people, and establish colonies. While there were other strong cities during
the time, the Mycenaeans were the strongest force. They were the first people to rule the area that would
someday become Greece.
Before Greece would rise as a great civilization, the Aegean region once more fell into separate city-states. The
area was invaded from the sea by barbarians (sometimes known as Philistines) and from the land by the barbarians called Dorians. They had no language and left little evidence of their rule, so this period in ancient
Greek civilization is called the Greek Dark Ages.
1. Add the city of Mycenae to your map.
2. Athens and Marathon are located in which section of early Greece?
3. Which city is west of Mt. Parnassus?
4. About how far is Athens from the city of Marathon?
6. Later in history, one of the major Greek cities fought off the Persians at the tiny seaport town of
Marathon. Most likely, which city was it? Why?
7. Name two mountains shown on the map.
8. Which city is located at approximately 38°N and 23°E?
9. Which city is closer to Corinth: Olympia or Sparta?
10. Which region is north of Boeotia?
24
Early Greece
Maps: Ancient Civilizations © 2005 Creative Teaching Press
5. What are the approximate coordinates of latitude
and longitude for Mt. Olympus?
MAP INT. ANC. CIV. FINALa
1/14/08
4:08 PM
Page 25
EARLY GREECE
Mt. Olympus
40°N
Pin
du
EPIRUS
N
s
M
W
o
Aegean
Sea
E
un
THESSALY
ta
S
in
s
AETOLIA Thermopylae
Delphi
Gulf
o
ACHAEA
Euboea
Mt.
Parnassus
Eretria
BOEOTIA
f Co
rinth
Marathon
Athens
38°N
Olympia
ARGOLIS
Peloponneses
LACONIA
City
Mountain
0
25
50 miles
0
25 50 kilometers
Albers Conic Equal-Area Projection
Mediterranean Sea
24°E
22°E
Maps: Ancient Civilizations © 2005 Creative Teaching Press
Gulf
of
Laconia
KEY
lis
Sparta
o
rg
fA
lf o
MESSENIA
Gulf
of
Messinia
36°N
Saronic
Gulf
ARCADIA
Gu
Ionian
Sea
ATTICA
Corinth
ELIS
Early Greece
25