7000–
BC
For 4000 years the
early inhabitants of
the Greek peninsula
live a simple agrarian
life, growing crops
and herding animals.
Communities with
housing and planned
streets begin to appear
by around 3000 BC.3000–
BC
The discovery of
blending copper and tin
into a strong alloy gives
rise to the Bronze Age.
Trade gains traction;
increased prosperity
sees the birth of the
Cycladic, Minoan
and Mycenaean
civilisations.2000
BC
Minoan civilisation
reaches its peak in
Crete: architectural
advances lead to
the fi rst palaces in
Knossos, Phaestos,
Malia and Zakros,
while pottery-making
improves and Crete’s
fi rst script emerges.History
In ancient and modern times, Greece has been doomed or blessed with
its position on the map – a doorstep between Asia Minor and Europe –
and often tied to the rising and waning fortunes of its neighbours. In the
5th century BC Greece was almost devoured by the unstoppable spread
of the Persian Empire, only reversed by Alexander. Later still the Roman
Empire overwhelmed old Hellas, but again the nation revived once more
under the Byzantine Empire.
Greece’s ability to make swift travel across water to distant lands con-
tributed to its signifi cant expansion of the country’s mental and geopo-
litical horizons. In the process the Greeks were to learn much from the
Phoenicians, Egyptians, Syrians and Hebrews. The genius of the ancient
Greeks was their ability to adapt elements of other cultures’ architecture
and craft, then take it to new heights, be it the alphabet from the Phoeni-
cians, or the unique beauty of their lifelike sculptures, enhancing upon
the statues of Egypt (see also p 736 ). Even the Romans were in awe of
the Greeks’ culture, their physical prowess and mental athleticism. But
where did it all start?Early Days
The discovery of a Neanderthal skull in a cave on the Halkidiki penin-
sula of Macedonia confi rmed the presence of humans in Greece 700,
years ago. People from the Palaeolithic times (around 6500 BC) left bones
and tools in the Pindos Mountains, while pastoral communities emerged
during neolithic times (7000–3000 BC), primarily in the fertile region
that is now Thessaly. Agriculturally sophisticated, they grew crops, bred
sheep and goats, and used clay to produce pots, vases and stylised repre-
sentations of idols as fi gures of worship.
By 3000 BC settlements had developed into streets, squares and
mud-brick houses. Adding to this momentum, Indo-European migrantsGreek is Europe’s
oldest written
language, second
only to Chinese
in the world. It is
traceable
back to the
Linear B script of
the Minoans and
Mycenaeans. For
more on Linear B
script, try www
.ancientscripts
.com/linearb
.html.
The web portal
http://www. ancient
greece.com is
great for all
things ancient
and Greek.