Unit I: Minoans, Mycenaeans, Dark Age, and Homer

Introduction

• Land of Greece: general size, climate, & features
• Food & Livestock: basic foods and animals
• Stone Ages: when did settlers first arrive; what was Greece like in Neolithic (New Stone Age, 6500-3500 BC) like? The idea of farming, domestical animals came from?

The Minoans (7000-1150 BC)

• When, roughly, was Crete settled?
• What are the four main periods of the Minoan Bronze Age? Their hallmarks? How did they end?
• What are the palaces like?
• their function,
• the purposes of the central courtyard,
• who lived there,
• amenities, etc.
• What is the Minoan religion thought to be like?
• whom did they worship,
• where did they worship,
• importance of animals?
• What type of writing system did they have?
• What is their art like? Themes, use of color, etc.

Mainland Greece and the Mycenaeans (3100-1150 BC)

• What are the main periods of the mainland bronze age and their hallmarks? How did they end?
• Who are the Indo-Europeans and their relationship with Greece?
• What are the palaces like?
• their function,
• the purposes of the megaron,
• who lived there,
• amenities, etc.
• What is the Mycenaean religion thought to be like?
• whom did they worship,
• where did they worship,
• types of sacrifices or offerings?
• What type of writing system did they have?
• What do we know about their society from their written remains?
• their political system
• their social system
• their military system
• What is their art like? Themes, use of color, etc.
• How did the Mycenaean age end? What are some of the various theories and their supporting facts?

The Dark Age (1150-750 BC)

• When is the Greek Dark Age?
• What are the hallmarks of the age?
• What is the architecture like?
• What does the architecture reveal about this time period?
• What is their art like? Themes, etc.
• What is the political structure like prior to Homer?
• What is the social structure like prior to Homer?
• What is the religion/religious structure like prior to Homer?
• What status do women have?
• What do these terms refer to: basileus, genos, oikos, xenia,feasting, oral poetry, thes,arete, and kleos

The Iliad and the Odyssey

• The Heroic Code:
• Describe the Heroic Code.
• How does Achilles’ actions reflect the Heroic Code?
• How does Odysseus’ actions reflect the Heroic Code?
• Compare Achilles and Odysseus in regard to the Heroic Code?
• Composition
• How is the theme of xenia key to the Iliad?
• How is the theme of ransom refused or accepted key to the Iliad?
• How/why does Homer use the tree theme in the Odyssey?
• What are the themes of the six subunits (i.e. Bks 1-4, 5-8, etc.) of the Odyssey?
• Why/how is the opening paragraphs of the Odyssey important?
• Justice/Self-will: Gods and Men
• Examine these two concepts in regard to the Iliad.
• Examine the concept of justice in regard to the Odyssey.
• How is the concept of justice different in the two poems?
• Kindness/Cruelty: Gods and Men
• Examine these two concepts in regard to the Iliad.
• Examine the concept of justice in regard to the Odyssey.
• How is the concept of kindness different in the two poems?
• Xenia (Guest/Host relationship)
• Describe xenia.
• Examine the meeting of Priam and Achilles in regard to xenia.
• How/why is xenia important for the education of Telemachus?
• Other
• How/why does Penelope change in the Odyssey?
• How/why is recognition of Odysseus and of the divine important?
• How/why are the themes of disguise, testing, and journey important?
• Who are Achilles, Agamemnon, Menelaus, Helen, Patroclus, Chryseis and Briseis, Priam, Hector, Paris, Telemachus, Odysseus, Penelope, Mentor, Zeus, Athena, Hera, Apollo, Poseidon, Orestes, and Eumaeus?

• Heroic Code: We have focused on three societies within ancient Greece so far: Minoan, Mycenaean, and Homeric (Dark Age). The Heroic code can be used as a basis for relating these three societies to each other. Discuss. In your essay also briefly explain what the Heroic code is. Make sure you give pertinent examples from the material we have covered, especially from the Iliad and the Odyssey.

• Society: We have focused on three societies within ancient Greece so far: Minoan, Mycenaean, and Homeric (Dark Age). Compare and contrast them with regard to the status or position of women (goddesses included). Be sure to give examples from the Iliad and the Odyssey in your evaluation of the Dark Age society.

• Religion: We have focused on three societies within ancient Greece so far: Minoan, Mycenaean, and Homeric (Dark Age). How are their religious practices and their views of their gods alike or different? Are there any conclusions we can draw about their societies based on these similarities or differences?