Lecture Notes: Introduction to Ancient Greece and Early Archaeology

Heinrich Schliemann - Father of Modern Archaeology

• Background:

  • Known for excavations in Greece, particularly Troy.
  • Speaks 13 languages; had multiple careers.
  • His father ran a religious school but was caught embezzling.
  • Schliemann was a con artist before turning to archaeology at 46.

• Archaeological Approach:

  • Victorian era archeology was less scientific.
  • Schliemann sought fame through archaeology, inspired by Greek myths.

• Search for Troy:

  • Met Calvert in 1868, who was cautious about sharing Troy's location.
  • Raised funds, claimed to have been inspired by the Iliad in childhood.
  • Used dynamite in digs, destroying historical layers.
  • Found treasure, claimed it as Priam's, though evidence lacked.

• Controversy and Artifacts:

  • Mask of Agamemnon: questioned for authenticity, possibly planted.
  • Methods questioned; destroyed historical evidence.

Introduction to Ancient Civilizations in the Aegean

• Geographical Overview:

  • Focus on Greece and Turkey, specifically the Aegean Sea.
  • Comprises Cycladic Islands, Crete, and the Greek mainland.

• Three Early Cultures:

  • Cycladic Culture:
    • Based on Cycladic Islands.
    • Known for idols, primarily female figures.
  • Minoan Culture:
    • Located on Crete, highly advanced.
    • Influenced by mythology (King Minos).
  • Mycenaean Culture:
    • On Greek mainland; associated with Homer’s Iliad.

Cycladic Culture

• Characteristics:
  • Known for Cycladic idols, primarily female.
  • Idols have closed forms, likely religious or cultural symbols.
  • Male idols rarer, due to fragile open forms.

Minoan Culture

• Discovery and Influence:
  • Named after King Minos; inspired by Theseus and Minotaur myth.
  • Advanced civilization, eventually declined due to volcanic eruption (Santorini).

Transition to Greek Mainland

• Cultural Influence:
  • Post-eruption, Minoan culture influenced mainland Greece.
  • Archaeological discoveries continue to shape understanding of early Greek history.

Other Points

• Phoenician Influence:

  • Likely first settlers in the Aegean.
  • Landed on Cycladic Islands, possibly due to storms.

• Early Writing Systems:

  • Linear A and B; Linear B partially understood as proto-Greek.
  • Linear A remains undeciphered, limiting understanding of Minoan culture.

Conclusion

• Legacy:
  • Early archaeology was different; many findings from this era are controversial.
  • Discoveries helped form the basis for modern understanding of Greek history.