Western Civilizations

Minoan Crete:

An island located located in the Aegean.

A legend goes there was a king of Crete who demanded sacrifices to feed the minotaur that resided under the island in a labyrinth

There were not any defenses around the city but there was a very strong Navy. 

The people of Crete made pottery that were animal themed

Minoan culture is symbolized by sea creatures and the bull or minotaur

Around 1100 BC, Minoan culture disappeared. Theories to explain this include invasion or an earthquake

Mycenae:

Sits atop a hillside. Right at the foot of the hills are burial tombs. 

It appears more like a castle than an entire city

The town of Mycenae is highly fortified by large stone  blocks

Much like Minoan Crete, Mycenaean culture disappeared in 1100 BC

Dark Ages:

A time of darkness in which no resources were made, no literature very little artifacts can be found from that time

200 years of darkness with virtually no record of what happened

Geometric Period:

Civilization has begun to come out form the Dark Ages

Large pieces of pottery were used as grave markers

This art marks that a civilization is thriving

Archaic Period:

700 BC to 480 BC

Pottery is no longer used as grave markers but a sculpture of a human 

Egyptian statues are never seen naked, in Greek it is common

Greeks statues have space between their legs, Egyptians did not carve the legs out

When a person dies in battle their armor is stripped from them. They are said to have died in "a blaze of glory."

Greek art depicted people as moving known as Dynamism.

"Age of Tyrants"

Individuals in a society begin to rise up and become self appointed rulers 

The first of these tyrants was from Sparta named Lycurgus. 

Hoplites were arranged in a square and two hoplite armies pushed against one another until one broke free. The losing army was stabbed in the back by the winning army's swords

The men of the army were trained from such a young age they grew up to be the most vicious soldiers of Greece.

Thermopylae:

Seven thousand Greek soldiers stood at Thermopylae and attempted to hold off the Persian Empire. While they were fighting Athens was evacuated. Every single Greek died but the Persian Empire could not take over Athens and in turn all of Greece. 

The Persians travel to the city and find it empty. They burn the acropolis out of anguish.

The Persians are called to Salamis where Greeks and Greek allies are waiting for them. At this battle the Greeks and Greek allies ravage the Persians.