Greeks and The Barbarians (14 October)

The earliest recorded civilization in the western Aegean world:

*Minoans(2000-1400B.C.):-
-Based in Crete.
-A mercantile, sea civilization.
-Palace at Knossos
-Peaceful subjects in arts.
-No defense systems.
-Linear A Script.

Myceneans
-Militaristic society.
-Trade and agriculture.
-Linear B Script.
-Increasing cultural unification in Greece.

Dark Ages:
-Little evidence available.
-Greeks seem to have forgotten writing.
-Decline of urban life.


Rise of Greek colonialism by the 9th century B.C.

-Emergence of a common Greek culture thanks to common religion, language, Olympic games, oracle at Delphi.
-Increasing distinction between the Greeks and the Barbarians (non-Greek speakers)
-Barbarian as the ultimate other.
-Greek colonialism resulting in an intense cultural interaction between the Greeks and the Barbarians.



Limits of the Greek/Barbarian Dichotomy
-Herodotus' accounts on Persians.
-Plato's criticism of the dichotomy.
-Aeschylus'^Persians.