Download GH 2_2 - Eleanor Roosevelt High School

Global History and Geography
Spear/Ziegelstein
Eleanor Roosevelt High School
Name: _____________________________________________________
Date: ___________________
Activity Guide #2
Unit 2: The Mediterranean and the Middle East (2000-500 BCE)
DO NOW
1. Locate the following on the map above:
Aegean Sea
Island of Crete
Mediterranean
Peloponnesus
Black Sea
Dardanelles Strait (Nearby to Troy)
2. What role did geography play in the development of the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations?
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3. List some geographical differences between Peloponnesus and the Middle East. Which civilizations
relied more heavily on trade?
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AIM: Why were the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations significant?
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Reading 1
During the Late Bronze Age (2000 B.C.E. to 1100 B.C.E.), the impact of the “cosmopolitan” Middle
East could be seen in nearby regions. From 2000 B.C.E. to 1450 B.C.E., the island of Crete contained the first
European civilization clearly influenced by Middle Eastern Civilizations. The Minoan civilization had a
complex political and social structure, a system of writing, and advanced technologies found in other early
Middle Eastern civilizations. Trading connections and cultural diffusion are evident from the common
characteristics between Minoan pottery and other artifacts around the Mediterranean and Middle East. The
collapse of Minoan civilization around 1450 B.C.E. is usually attributed to the rise of the Mycenaeans. The
Mycenaean civilization was the first advanced civilization in Greece, existing from approximately 1600 B.C.E.
to 1100 B.C.E. Minoan cultural influences can be seen in Mycenaean art, economy, and bureaucracy. An early
form of Greek language was used by the Mycenaean administration to keep detailed records of the entire
civilization.
The Mycenaeans used their seafaring skill to continue using the trade routes and posts originally
established by the Minoans. Mycenaean pottery used to contain wine or olive oil has been found throughout the
Middle East and Mediterranean, demonstrating how extensive their trade network was. Aegean civilizations
needed to trade for metals (particularly gold and the copper and tin necessary for bronze production), but also
acquired ivory and amber through trading partners. The Mycenaeans were known as an aggressive and warlike
group, and developed a reputation for trading with those who were strong and taking from those who were
weak. Some believe that Aegean sailors may have transported the goods of other civilizations. These sailors
could have served as intermediaries who reaped benefits from exchanging goods among various civilizations.
1. In what ways were the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations similar to Middle Eastern civilizations?
How were they different?
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2. Why did Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations rely so heavily on trade?
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3. Based on archaeological evidence, the Mycenaean civilization was influenced by the Minoan
civilization. Is this an example of cultural diffusion? Why or why not?
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4. How did sailors from Crete and Greece impact the development of the Minoan and Mycenaean
civilizations? What was the benefit of being an intermediary (broker, middleman) during this time?
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Reading 2
The absence of a decipherable language requires researchers to study Minoan civilization using
archaeological findings in the Mediterranean and surrounding regions. Sufficient evidence has been uncovered
to prove the existence of the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete. Any written evidence of the Minoan
civilization is considered to be a secondary source, such as Greek legend regarding King Minos, and the Iliad,
Homer’s tale of the destruction of Troy. According to Greek legend, King Minos was a son of Zeus and
commanded a great naval empire. Minos became the most prosperous king of the Mediterranean and was
renowned for his power and justice. After his death, he became a judge in the underworld.
Archaeological evidence also proves the rise and existence of the Mycenaean civilization around the
time of the Minoan decline. However, additional information about the details of the Mycenaean civilization
can be found from the thousands of baked clay tablets found in the Mycenaean ruins. The writing on the tablets
is a script called Linear B, which is recognized as an early form of Greek. These primary sources provide more
detailed information about how the economy worked, but very little about anything else.
1. In what way is our study of the Minoan civilization different from our study of the Mycenaean
civilization? Is the study of Minoan civilization conducted by archaeologists, historians, or both?
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2. Archaeological findings have confirmed events recorded in Homer’s Iliad. Can his tale be considered a
reliable source to study Mycenaean history?
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3. Without a decipherable written language, should the Minoans still be considered a civilization?
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Image 1
Image 1: Depiction of King Minos, the mythological King of the Minoans who ruled at Cnossus.
1. The Mycenaeans destroyed all Minoan property around 1450 B.C.E. except for the Palace of Minos.
Why was King Minos’s prosperous civilization with a strong naval presence so easy to destroy?
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Reading 3
The sad story of the Minotaur begins on the Isle of Crete. After the death of King Asterius, a feud broke out
between his sons over who was best suited to inherit the throne. Minos boasted that he was the only logical
choice, for he was so loved by the gods, that none of his wishes could ever be refused. Praying to Poseidon, he
asked that a bull be brought forth from the sea so that in return he could offer it up in sacrifice to the god.
Poseidon heard his pleas, and just as Minos requested a beautiful white bull suddenly appeared upon the frothy
waves. Minos was so captivated by it's splendor that he could not bring himself to kill it. Instead he hid the
handsome creature away and offered another in its place. Poseidon was not fooled, and decided to make Minos
pay for the insult through the scandalous actions of his wife Pasiphae.
The angry god caused Pasiphae to fall so madly in love with the beast that she could not think of anything else.
So filled with passion was the queen, that she paid a visit to the artist Daedalus, who because of his exile from
Athens was living in Crete.
Eager to help Pasiphae, Daedalus fashioned a piece of wood into the shape of a hollow cow. The queen then
crawled inside through a door that was made in the hind quarters, where she waited until the bull of Minos
entered into the meadow. Unaware of the disguise, the lustful bull impregnated Pasiphae and sired a half bullhalf man creature that would be known throughout the ancient world as the Minotaur. In order to hide this
abomination, Minos petitioned Daedalus to construct the Labyrinth, a giant maze-like prison and confined the
Minotaur to its center.
Unfortunately for Minos, his hardships did not end with the behavior of Pasiphae, for at this time his son
Androgeus was living in Athens and participating in the Panathenaic Games. Though he was very successful,
winning all of the honors for himself, the young man was accidently killed shortly thereafter. Suspecting that
King Aegeus of Athens was responsible for his death, Minos prayed to the gods and a plague soon fell upon
Attica.
As the situation grew desperate, Aegeus sent messengers to question the Delphic Oracle. The words of the
priestess were grim. In order to make up for the death of Androgeus, Aegeus was to grant Minos anything he
desired. Minos declared that every nine years Aegeus was to send him seven youths and seven maidens to be
offered to the Minotaur. Sadly, Aegeus had no other choice but to comply, for he knew he could not defy the
will of the gods. When the time came for the third tribute to be sent to Crete, Theseus, the son of Aegeus was
among the chosen. Like in many of the old stories, there are a few different versions of how this event came to
be. Some say that Minos himself journeyed to Athens and personally chose Theseus because of his strength and
courage. There are others that say lots were drawn and Theseus was among the losers. The most popular story is
that Theseus volunteered to go along with the understanding that if he should slay the Minotaur, King Minos
would forever relinquish Athens from her debt.
Aegeus begged his son not to go, but Theseus would have it no other way. As was the custom, the Athenian
ships always left for Crete bearing the black sails of death. Theseus carried with him on board a set of white
sails. Before leaving, he made a solemn promise to his father that if his mission was successful, he would fly
them on the voyage home as a signal of his well being. When the ship arrived in Crete, unbeknownst to Theseus
Aphrodite had come along for the ride.
The goddess worked her magic causing Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos to fall madly in love with
Theseus. Going to him in secret, Ariadne promised to help him slay the Minotaur if he swore to marry her and
bring her back to Athens. Theseus readily agreed, and with that Ariadne handed him a ball of magic thread that
she had received from the artisan Daedalus. She then told Theseus to tie one end of the string to the entrance
gate of the maze. He was to allow the rest of the twine to unwind behind him as he made his way into the center
of the Labyrinth. After killing the Minotaur, he would be able to retrace his steps by following the magic thread
back to the foyer and escape from the prison of stone.
Later that same night, Theseus along with the other Athenian captives quietly entered into the dark passages of
the labyrinth. Following the instructions of Ariadne, he carefully unwound the ball of twine as he and the other
intended victims made their way through the narrow and twisted corridors. As Theseus entered into the center
of the maze, he found the creature to be fast asleep. It is disputed whether he slew the beast with his sword, his
club or his bare hands, but whichever method was used the final result ended in death for the Minotaur. Using
the magic twine, Theseus retraced his steps back to the entrance where he was met and embraced by Ariadne.
She then led Theseus and the other prisoners to the harbor, where their ship waited in the mist.
Though the Athenians made it safely on board, Cretan vessels were dispatched to capture and return them back
to Knossos soon after their departure. It was there in the darkness that Theseus found himself forced to engage
in a sea battle with the armies of Minos. The gods looked favorably upon the children of Athens, and after some
brief fighting the lot were able to sail away without any casualties.
During their journey home, Theseus chose to stop over on the Isle of Naxos. What happened there is a mystery.
Ariadne was left behind on the island but there are many versions as to the reason why. One tale tells us that
Theseus deserted her because he had fallen in love with another woman. Another story tells us that after landing
on Naxos, Theseus had time to think about his situation. Realizing that bringing a daughter of Minos back to
Athens would surely cause a scandal he chose to leave her behind. A third version tells us that Ariadne, being
extremely tired from the sea voyage, fell fast asleep on the island. An unexpected wind arose and pushed the
ship out to sea before anyone had a chance to wake her.
Image 2 – Depiction of the Minotaur
Image 3 – Depiction of a Labyrinth
Image 4 – Depiction of a Labyrinth from Pylos
Image 5 – Mosaic of Theseus and the Minotaur
Homework Questions
Read textbook pages 77–81 (stop at The Assyrian Empire). Then, answer the following questions.
1. Where is the Aegean Sea located?
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2. Where did the Minoans live? Why were they required to trade extensively? What was the effect of that
trade on Minoan culture?
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3. Why did Minoan culture disappear?
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4. What archaeological evidence exists to suggest that the Mycenaeans sailed around the Mediterranean
extensively?
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5. Why did the Mycenaen civilization disappear?
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