The Geography of Ancient Greece

The geography of Greece played an important role in the development of Greek civilization. Greece is in the southeastern-most region of Europe. It is surrounded by water on three sides, with smaller peninsulas jutting out from the mainland. The ancient civilization's interior had many mountains, and the coastline featured thousands of inlets, deep bays, natural harbors, and coves that were ideal sea ports. In this interactivity, you will explore the geography of ancient Greece. Click the player button to begin.

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Economic, Political, and Social Development

Greece is made up of a mainland and many islands. The surrounding sea played a significant role in ancient Greek life, including being a source of food and a means of transportation. Since no part of Greece was more than fifty miles from the coastline, many Greeks made a living through trade, fishing, and other maritime activities. The vast majority of Greece's interior is mountainous, which results in little arable, or farmable, land. Instead of grains and wheat, the climate was more conducive to the production of olives and grapes. Furthermore, the mountainous terrain and harsh climate caused the Greeks to develop city-states around fertile land that supplied natural resources, rather than around the mountains. A Greek city-state was called a polis. As populations increased, the Greeks developed colonies in other locations like Africa, Italy, and various areas that bordered the Mediterranean Sea.

Each polis specialized in different trades and goods, depending on available resources. This enhanced ancient Greece's economy because the poleis had to trade goods and supplies with one another through a barter economy to meet their needs. This system exposed the Greeks to other cultures, like the Phoenicians, and prompted the civilization to adopt coins for use as money. As trade among the poleis increased, it became easier to use coins instead of hauling goods. Each polis also issued its own coinage for commerce. As commerce grew through trade, so did the spread of Greek culture. Small poleis became very important for promoting civic and commercial life through their architecture and arts.

Fresco of dancing Peucetian women in the Tomb of the Dancers, 4th-5th century B.C. (B.C.E.)

Within the flourishing Greek culture, roles were clearly defined. For example, only men were free citizens. They cultivated crops, and represented their household politically. When men entertained, women were not welcome. Women had few rights and were expected to stay at home and care for their husbands and children. Control of women's lives passed from their fathers to their husbands. Slavery also played a large role in ancient Greek society, and most families owned slaves as servants or laborers. Slaves could be of any race, and came from all over the Mediterranean world. Sometimes they were captured as prisoners of war; other times they were born into slavery or failed to repay their loans and debts. Slaves often moved about freely, earning wages for their masters by working domestically or in factories, shops, mines and farms, or on ships. They did not have status, power, or political benefits.

 

Geography and Its Impact on Greece's Development Review

Now that you have learned about ancient Greece's geography and economic, political, and social development, review your knowledge in this interactivity. Click the player button to get started.