Evolution and Features of Greek Culture

The article discusses the evolution and destruction of Cretan civilization, the subsequent occupation of Greece by various Indo-European groups, and the influences that shaped Greek culture.

Around 3500 B.C., the Minoan civilization flourished on Crete, spreading its influence across the Aegean and into Asia Minor until it was eventually destroyed by the Greeks around 1200 B.C., as depicted in Homer’s epics. The Greeks, who arrived from Central Asia around 2000 B.C., were less cultured compared to the Cretans and came in waves as groups like the Achaeans, Illyrians, and Dorians, leading to significant migrations and displacements.

The Greeks were influenced by the advanced Aegean civilizations and the Phoenicians, who introduced writing and various cultural practices. Geographic features, such as Greece’s mountainous terrain and proximity to the sea, also played a crucial role in shaping their civilization, promoting seafaring and the development of sculpture and architecture.

Despite internal rivalries, common bonds—like religion, language, and national games—fostered a sense of unity among the Greeks. Their shared heritage, including the belief in a common ancestor, Hellen, and a collective disdain for non-Greek peoples, further solidified their national identity.

Discover how the Minoans influenced ancient Greece and how Greek invaders reshaped the region by 1200 B.C.

Destruction of Cretan Civilization:

It is believed that the Greeks evolved their culture and civilization around 1200 B.C. About 2300 years earlier, that is, about 3500 B.C. a people known as Aegeans had begun building. a culture with Crete in the Aegean islands as the centre. This culture, which was known as Cretan, Minoan, Aegean or Mycenaen, had spread far into the mainland of Greece and even Asia Minor. One of the cities of Troy in Asia Minor was built by the Cretans. This civilization was destroyed by the Greeks. Homer’s epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, throw light on the Greeks overthrowing Aegean cities and trying to wipe out their culture. ,

Occupation of Greece:

People whom we call Greeks were foreigners, who probably came to Greece from Central Asia, the original homeland of Indo-European peoples. It was from this land that Indo-Aryans, Medes and Persians came. The new-comers, who were cousins of the Indo-Aryans, perhaps reached Greece around 2000 B.C.

The immigrants, who were tall, broad-shouldered and fair were barbarians, when compared to the Cretans, who had reached a high – degree of culture and civilization. They owned flocks of sheep and herds of cattle. They did not know great arts and crafts, and had no written language.

The new-comers did not occupy Greece. all at the same time. They came in several large batches known as Achaeans, Aeolians, Jonians, Illyrians, Boetians and Dorians. The first batch of immigrants (c. 2000 B.C.) consisted of the Achaean Hellenes. The Greeks in general were called Hellenes after their ancestor Hellen (not to be confused with Hellen of Troy). The Illyrians entered Thessaly around 1300 B.C. and displaced the Achaeans and Ionians, and compelled them to disperse into the distant parts of Greece and go to Asia Minor. About three hundred years after the Illyrian invasion, the Dorian invasion took place in 1104 B.C. This invasion further dispersed the Achaeans and Ionians.

Profound Cretan and Phoenician Influence:

The Greeks while evolving their civilization were profoundly influenced by the Aegean people. They also felt the impact of the civilization of the Phoenicians, who as carriers of culture and missionaries of civilization taught the Greeks the alphabet, gave writing equipment like papyrus, pen and ink, and made them conversant with

styles of dress, decorative art and the practical methods of the craftsman.

Influence of Geography on Greek History:

The civilization of the Greeks was shaped to a great extent by the geographical features of the country. Hellas as the Greeks called their country has an area of 25,000 sq. miles. Greece, which is located between the Adriatic Sea and the Aegean Sea at the southern extremity of Balkan peninsula, is a highly mountainous country with fast flowing rivers. The highly indented coastline has many gulfs and bays. There are several islands nearby. The soil is poor, and large plains are absent, as the country is parcelled out by hills and rivers into small regions.

The proximity to the sea, and the broken coastline with several fine ports and poor soil made the Greeks good sailors.

The country had quarries of good stone and marble, and these encouraged the growth of fine sculpture and architecture. To the north of Athens, huge stocks of pure white marble were available on Mount Pentelicus.

The climate of Greece is pleasant, and poets have sung its praise. It strikes the golden mean between the cold north and the tropical south. The temperature is mild, but owing to varying altitudes, it is mot the same everywhere. Facourable climate proved to be conducive to the development of a rich civilization.

Bonds of Unity:

In the evolution of a common Greek culture, certain common bonds fostered a sense of national oneness in spite of mutual rivalries and bickering among city states.

A Common Religion:

A common religion overriding all local religious variations created a strong bond of unity. Though the purpose of the organization of the Delphic Amphitryonic League was religious, it served the cause of promoting unity of the member states. Like the League of Nations and the UNO, it tried to settle disputes amicably.

National Games:

National games also fostered a spirit of unity. Four national games were outstanding:

The Olympic Games played in honor of Zeus at Olympia in Elis.
The Pythian Games played in honor of Apollo at Delphi.
The Isthmian Games played at Corinth.
The Nimian Games played at Argolis.

Common Language and Homeric Poems:

The Greek language also created a sense of oneness among the Greeks everywhere. For instance, the Homeric poems are regarded as common property of the whole of Greece. Some would even refer to them as the Bible of Greece.

Hellenic Kinship:

The Hellenes believed that they were all descendants of Hellen, a common legendary ancestor, a Greek Abraham.

Dislike For Others:

The Greeks thought that they alone were civilized, and that Egyptians, Babylonians, Indians, Chinese, Persians and other peoples were all barbarians. The strong dislike for barbarians was common to all Greeks. This again strengthened a national feeling.

Conclusions Evolution of Greek Culture

Greek culture laid the groundwork for many aspects of Western civilization, including political systems, artistic expressions, and philosophical inquiry, continuing to resonate through literature, art, and modern governance.

Evolution and Features of Greek Culture