Lecture on the Beginnings of the Greek Experience

Introduction

• The lecture discusses the beginnings of Greek history.
• Emphasis on the prehistoric period - lack of written evidence.
• Reliance on archaeological evidence for information.
• Historical dates and events are approximations and subject to controversy.

Emergence of the Bronze Age

• Began around 3000 B.C. (or 2900 B.C. according to recent trends).
• Marks the onset of civilization with cities as centers.
• The first Bronze Age civilization known in the Aegean area is on Crete.

Minoan Civilization

• Discovered by Sir Arthur Evans in the early 20th century.
• Named after the legendary King Minos of Crete.
• Characteristics include:
  • Urban centers, such as the city of Knossos.
  • Resemblance to ancient Near Eastern civilizations.
  • Lack of deciphered scripts despite archaeological finds.

Greek Identity

• Minoans were not Greeks.
• Greek identity is characterized by the Greek language and culture.
• Greek-speaking peoples settled around the Aegean Sea around 2000 B.C.

Mycenaean Civilization

• Named after the site of Mycenae and the king Agamemnon mentioned in Homer's epics.
• Spanned approximately 1600 to 1100 B.C.
• Features include:
  • Fortified hilltop cities like Mycenae.
  • Trade relations with Egypt and other Mediterranean regions.
  • Use of a script known as Linear B.
• Evidence of Greek language and culture during this period.

Cultural and Economic Characteristics

• Mycenaean society had significant wealth and power.
• Engaged in trade, particularly of aromatic oils.
• Relied on agriculture and trade for sustenance and wealth.

Fall of the Mycenaean Civilization

• A series of attacks around 1200 B.C. led to its decline.
• Possible reasons include invasions, internal uprisings, or environmental factors.
• Theories about the involvement of "sea peoples" or the Dorian invasion.

Dark Ages of Greece

• Following the fall, Greece experienced a period known as the Dark Ages.
• Loss of writing and cultural decline between 1100 to 750 B.C.
• Isolation from the rest of the Mediterranean world.

Legacy and Transition

• Oral traditions and epic poetry played a role in preserving some Mycenaean memories.
• The emergence of new Greek society from the Dark Ages was marked by innovation and adaptation.
• The transition period sets the stage for later Greek history and culture development.

Conclusion

• The fall of the Mycenaean world was significant and created a discontinuity in Greek history.
• Next topics include the Dark Ages and the world of Homer.