Part 1: Reading Passage. Read the passage below.
HW #19
Due: 1/23/15
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece was located in southeastern Europe along the Mediterranean Sea,
which separates Europe from Africa. Greek civilization was surrounded by other great
civilizations of the age, including the Egyptians to the south, the Etruscans and the
Romans to the west, the Persians to the east, and the Phoenicians to the southwest.
Unlike many of these other civilization, the Greek civilization did not develop in a
river valley, but it was bordered by water. Ancient Greece had the Mediterranean Sea
to the south, the Ionian Sea to the west, and the Aegean Sea to the east. Greece is
actually a series of islands – pieces of land surrounded completely by water – and
peninsulas, or pieces of land surrounded on three sides by water. These islands and
peninsulas were covered with high mountains, making travel across the land very
difficult. As a result, the ancient Greek people mostly traveled by water.
Because Greece’s mountains, islands, and peninsulas separated the Greek people from
each other and made communication difficult, Greek civilization developed into
independent city-states, or cities that governed themselves and the land that
surrounded them.
Using Natural Resources in Ancient Greece
The steep mountains of the Greek countryside also affected the crops and animals that
farmers raised in the region. They raised goats and sheep because these animals were
able to graze on the sides of the mountains. They planted olive trees and grape vines
that could thrive despite being on a hill. They made oil from the olives and wine from
the grapes, and used goats and sheep for milk, cheese, and wool.
The mountainous islands of Greece limited the amount of fertile farmland that was
available to the Greeks. The shortage of farmland meant the Greeks needed to look
elsewhere for resources they lacked, such as sufficient grain and metals. This
prompted the Greeks to conquer other areas. They also established colonies along the
Mediterranean, in areas where farmland was more plentiful, such as Southern Italy,
Northern Africa, Turkey, and the southern coast of France. In addition to military
conquests and the establishments of colonies, trade became an important aspect of
Greek life.
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City-States
Because the geography of Greece made travel and communication between cities
difficult, it was difficult to have one central government. For this reason, city-states
developed independently. Their governments, culture, and economies were often
quite different from one another, based on their locations and the resources available.
For example, the city-states of Corinth and Thebes both became powerful for different
reasons. Corinth, which was located approximately 50 miles to the west of Athens,
was strategically located near the Isthmus of Corinth, a small waterway connecting
the Aegean Sea and the Ionian Sea. This location provided Corinth with access to sea
routes that made travel between the Greek mainland and its peninsulas and islands
quick and easy. Corinth took advantage of this location to establish several colonies in
the area, including Corcyra and Syracuse. In turn, these colonies helped Corinth to
establish shipping routes throughout the Mediterranean and dominate trade in early
Greece. Corinth used wealth it received from trade to become increasingly powerful
and influential in the region.
Thebes, unlike Corinth, was northwest of Athens and farther inland. It did not have
easy access to the sea but was located near several major springs. These springs
provided an abundant source of water for the city’s populations as well as for use in
the irrigation of its crops. This meant Thebes was not as reliant on trade to ensure an
adequate food supply. Thebes grew into a military power and became a rival of
Athens and Sparta.
Although the Greek city-states developed independently, they did share some
common culture and goals. When faced with threats, the Greek city-states were
capable of defending themselves individually, but they were also willing to work
together to protect the common elements of their cultures. These threats often came
from another great power – Persia. Persia sought to expand its own power and
influence in the region and take advantage of the trade routes in the Aegean Sea. This
often brought Persia into conflict with Greek city-states and colonies.
The geography of Greece not only aided in its protection but also contributed to all
factors of Greek life. The agriculture, trade, and governments of ancient Greece were
all influenced by the geography of the region.
The geography of ancient Greece influenced the development of its civilization. The
isolation of the different cities and their unique geographies caused them to develop
in unique ways.
Optional Reading Initials
Part 2: Reading Comprehension: Based on your reading, complete the activities below.
1.
Ancient Greece was located west of which other ancient civilization? (Hint: use global perspective)
a.
b.
c.
d.
2.
2.
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Read the following information: “Unlike other ancient civilizations, which developed in fertile river
valleys, ancient Greek civilization developed on mountainous islands and peninsulas.”
This statement suggests that:
a. The ancient Greeks had all of the resources required to sustain their civilization.
b. Conquest and trade were more important than farming in the early development of Greek
civilization.
c. The ancient Greeks produced a wider variety of crops than other ancient civilizations.
d. Ancient Greek farmers were more innovative in developing agricultural technologies than
farmers.
hostile
friendly
uninterested
disconnected
Nile River and Mediterranean Sea
mountains and deserts
Why did ancient Greece develop city-states as governments?
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Huang He River & Niger River
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4.
List two general differences between ancient Greek city-states.


Asia
Europe
Australia
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Africa
Which of the following is NOT a body of water associated with Greece?
a.
b.
c.
d.
3.
peninsulas and islands
What continent contains Greece?
a.
b.
c.
d.
5.
Persian
Etruscan
List two city-states from ancient Greece.


Roman
What geographic features make up the city-states of Greece?
a.
b.
c.
d.
4.
1.
Egyptian
Which word best describes the relationship between the ancient Greeks and the Persian Empire?
a.
b.
c.
d.
3.
Part 3: Critical Thinking. Based on your reading, complete the activities below. Write your
answers in complete sentences.
5.
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Ionian Sea
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Mediterranean Sea
Aegean Sea
Black Sea
What geographic feature (part of the land) resulted in the ancient Greeks becoming great sailors?
6.
Why might ancient Greek city-states work together to defend themselves?
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6.
What geographic feature strongly affected life in ancient Greece?
a.
b.
c.
d.
7.
mountains
oceans
plateaus
How did ancient Greeks access resources they needed but did not have themselves?
a.
b.
c.
d.
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rivers
farming
they made do without those needed resources
they had everything they needed
trading
7.
Would you rather live in Corinth or Thebes? Explain specifically why. (Critical Thinking)
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