Historical Background of Greece
History of Greece
Stone and Bronze Age
Excavations show that the first settlement dates from the Paleolithic era (11,000-3,000 BC). During the second millennium BC, Greece gave birth to the great civilization of the Minoans (2600-1500 BC), the Mycenaean (1500-1150 BC) and the Cycladic civilization.
The Stone Age
According to archaeologists, the earliest settlements in Greece date from the Palaeolithic era, between 11,000-3,000 BC, when a population coming from the east (and, as some believe, from Central Europe) started to develop stone tools and basic agricultural activities. In fact, the earliest organized town in Europe is the ancient town of Poliochni, Lemnos island, which dates from the 3rd millennium BC.
Excavations have proved that the civilization in Greece became more advanced between 3,500 and 3,000 B.C, with larger villages and a social organization with the formation of an elite group. Extensive agricultural communities appeared that were fishing, producing clay pottery and making sea expeditions. The good weather conditions and advanced social formations attracted to the Greek territory immigrants and traders from all the Mediterranean Sea.
At the same period, trace of religion appeared, with gods inspired from nature: clay figurines of female and animals were placed in sanctuaries and graves.
The Bronze age
The art of metalworking arrived from the east around 3,000 BC. The use of bronze in tool making and weaponry was a rebirth for the civilization in Greece. The 2nd millennium BC gave birth to some great civilizations: the Minoan on Crete, the Mycenaean on the mainland and the Cycladic in the islands of Centre Aegean.
This period is characterized by a rapid growth of population and development of trading. The islands of Cyclades, located in the centre of the Aegea Sea, were an important trade centre between Europe and Asia. The Cycladic civilization developed rapidly in all domains: trade, politics and culture with impressive
Stone and Bronze Age
Excavations show that the first settlement dates from the Paleolithic era (11,000-3,000 BC). During the second millennium BC, Greece gave birth to the great civilization of the Minoans (2600-1500 BC), the Mycenaean (1500-1150 BC) and the Cycladic civilization.
The Stone Age
According to archaeologists, the earliest settlements in Greece date from the Palaeolithic era, between 11,000-3,000 BC, when a population coming from the east (and, as some believe, from Central Europe) started to develop stone tools and basic agricultural activities. In fact, the earliest organized town in Europe is the ancient town of Poliochni, Lemnos island, which dates from the 3rd millennium BC.
Excavations have proved that the civilization in Greece became more advanced between 3,500 and 3,000 B.C, with larger villages and a social organization with the formation of an elite group. Extensive agricultural communities appeared that were fishing, producing clay pottery and making sea expeditions. The good weather conditions and advanced social formations attracted to the Greek territory immigrants and traders from all the Mediterranean Sea.
At the same period, trace of religion appeared, with gods inspired from nature: clay figurines of female and animals were placed in sanctuaries and graves.
The Bronze age
The art of metalworking arrived from the east around 3,000 BC. The use of bronze in tool making and weaponry was a rebirth for the civilization in Greece. The 2nd millennium BC gave birth to some great civilizations: the Minoan on Crete, the Mycenaean on the mainland and the Cycladic in the islands of Centre Aegean.
This period is characterized by a rapid growth of population and development of trading. The islands of Cyclades, located in the centre of the Aegea Sea, were an important trade centre between Europe and Asia. The Cycladic civilization developed rapidly in all domains: trade, politics and culture with impressive