FIRST EMPIRES

I.) MINOAN SEA EMPIRE ON CRETE
  1. Strange, unknown origins of The Minoans, 2500 ff ; Map of the region
  2. The Labyrinth at Knossos discovered by Sir Arthur Evans
  3. Linear A still undeciphered, but exquisite art & artifacts entice
    • Sea-Motifs on Vases & mosaics
    • The Minotaur and the Bull-ring "games" at Knossos
    • Goddesses predominate the unwalled cities
  4. Mycenaeans took over ca. 1500, adapted Linear A for early Greek creating Linear B
  5. The Problem of, and solutions of, Barbarians who Storm the Gates (pp. 50 ff)
  6. The Problem of Influence: Minoans on W.Civ., Egypt on Sumer & Minoans
II.) THE MYCENAEAN FEDERATION/EMPIRE
  1. The Lion Gate at Mycenae: federated Greeks of the Iliad & Odyssey
  2. Proved historical by Heinrich Schliemann and his Golden Find (cf. 63-4): Troy at Hissarlik
  3. Michael Ventris's decipherment of Linear B in 1952
  4. Invading Dorians & fleeing Ionians created the Classic Greek dichotomy, ca. 1200
  5. Homer, 800-700, writing oral poetry about a foggy past got some things right
    • Boar's Tusk Helmet; The Standing Shield; City of Pylos etc.
    • Arete in Homer's day was changing to something more democratic
    • Individualism, Justice, gods, Literature from Oral to written Poetry
III.) ISRAEL
  1. The Hebrew Testament: Prophets, Kings, Priests and the Chosen People
  2. Abraham, out of Ur, into Palestine, ca. 1950
  3. Joseph and crew to Egypt as friends, then becoming slaves
  4. God of Israel: METS -- a new and important conception on the face of the earth
  5. Moses & the Exodus from Ramses II: Passover & Torah Survey
  6. Joshua at Jericho, Deborah beyond the oasis, ca. 1200-1000
  7. David, King of the Jews, established the Capital and Citadel at Jerusalem, 1000
  8. The Temple of Solomon, David's son
IV.) MESOPOTAMIA, EVER ACTIVE
  1. Assyria took northern Israel ca. 722: The Mysterious 10 Tribes, a Carved Relief
    • Assyrian innovations with Cavalry, military organization, art
    • Fall of Nineveh, 612
  2. Babylonians took the South & destroyed the Temple, 586: Synagogues instead; Jewish humor

  3. Cyrus the Persian united Mesopotamia; Lydia, 530s;
  4. Clash of the Titans: First World War between the Greek West & Federated East
  5. Ceramic Survey: Browse the Ancient portion?

 

 

World History Syllabus