Name _____________________________ Class _________________ Date __________________
Classical Greece
Section 1
MAIN IDEA
The earliest cultures in Greece, the Minoans and the Mycenaeans, were trading
societies, but both disappeared and were replaced by Greek city-states.
Key Terms
polis city-state, the basic political unit in Greece
acropolis a walled, high area around which a polis was typically built
agora marketplace, usually found below a polis’s acropolis
helots state slaves of Sparta who farmed so that the Spartans could train for war
hoplites Spartan foot soldiers
hubris great pride that often led heroes to tragic ends
Taking Notes
As you read the summary, use a graphic organizer like the one below to
take notes on the first Greeks, city-states, and mythology.
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Classical Greece
Section 1
Section Summary
MINOANS AND MYCENAEANS
Much of early Greek history is still unknown. We do
know that two cultures developed in early Greece.
Minoan civilization developed on the island of Crete
around 2100 BC and lasted at least 700 years.
Minoans settled on many Aegean islands and traded
among these colonies and Crete. We know about
Minoans from excavations at Knossos on Crete,
particularly from the artwork; Minoans had writing,
but historians have not been able to translate it.
Minoan life was tied deeply to the sea. Women had
important roles in society, and warfare did not seem to
be a part of life. We know their civilization fell apart
quickly. The eruption of the volcano on Thera, near
Crete, may have weakened society. The Mycenaeans
from the Greek mainland conquered the Minoans.
The Mycenaeans (my-sun-NEE-uhz) built city-states
that often fought one another. Because they spoke an
early form of Greek, they are considered the first
Greek civilization. They traded with the Minoans,
then expanded their own trade after conquering Crete.
Mycenaean civilization was dominated by war,
competition, and powerful kings who built palaces
and monuments. One legend tied to the Mycenaeans is
about the Trojan War, in which Greeks, led by
Mycenae, fought against the city of Troy. It is unclear
whether the Trojan War really happened. But it is
known that war, along with drought, famine, the
collapse of trade, and invasion from outside, helped to
end Mycenaean civilization. Their cities were mostly
in ruins by 1100 BC, and a dark age followed. As
people struggled to feed and protect themselves, the
use of writing was lost for several centuries. Greek
civilization almost disappeared.
Name three known aspects
about Minoan civilization.
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How were the Minoans and
Mycenaeans similar? How
were they different?
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GREEK CITY-STATES
By the 800s BC, a new type of society emerged in
Greece, centered around the polis, or city-state. The
polis was the basic political unit and center of daily
life and culture. People were very loyal to their polis.
The typical polis was built around a high area called
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Classical Greece
Section 1
an acropolis, which held temples to the gods and
space for ceremonies. Below the acropolis was the
agora or marketplace, surrounded by shops, houses,
more temples, and a gymnasium. Around the polis
was a wall for defense, and outside the wall were
fields for crops. Each polis developed its own political
system. For example, Corinth was an oligarchy,
Athens a democracy, and Thebes an aristocracy.
Sparta was a mighty city-state, but unlike the
others. It conquered nearby towns and made the
people helots or state slaves. Helots were given to
Spartans to do their manual labor so that the citizens
could spend all their time training for war. This was
believed to be the only way to keep order because the
helots outnumbered the Spartans and might rebel at
any time. So Spartans demanded that their citizens be
tough from birth. Babies who were not healthy were
left in the wild to die. Boys entered a school for
combat at age 7. At 20, they became hoplites or foot
soldiers, and served in the army for 10 years. Women
were also expected to be physically fit and helped to
run the city when men were away at war. Sparta was
led by two military commander kings but eventually,
an elected council of elders made many decisions.
GODS AND HEROES
Ancient Greeks believed in hundreds of gods and
goddesses. Each ruled over one part of nature or life.
The Greeks believed the gods would protect them in
exchange for sacrifices. About 12 of the gods were
especially important and were thought to live on
Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece. The
gods were powerful, but they were not perfect. They
often got jealous or made mistakes.
Most Greeks worshipped the same gods, but each
polis also claimed one god or goddess as its protector.
In addition, all Greeks considered some locations
sacred, such as Delphi, where priestesses were thought
to receive visions of the future, and Olympus, where
games were held every four years. Athletes from
different city-states competed in honor of the gods.
Greeks also had myths about heroes that could inspire
people to live virtuously but without hubris, great
pride that often led heroes to tragic ends.
Why do you think each
polis followed the layout
described here?
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Do you think the Spartans’
focus on readiness for war
was worthwhile? Why or
why not?
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How did living in a
particular city-state affect
people’s worship of gods
and goddesses?
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Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
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