Introduction to Ancient Greece

The history of Greece can be traced back to Stone Age hunters. Later came early farmers and the civilizations of the Minoan and Mycenaean kings. This was followed by a period of wars and invasions, known as the Dark Ages. In about 1100 BC, a people called the Dorians invaded from the north and spread down the west coast.

In the period from 500-336 BC Greece was divided into small city states, each of which consisted of a city and its surrounding countryside.

Chart of main periods

• 6000-2900 BC Neolithic Period
• 2900-2000 BC Early Bronze Age
• 2000-1400 BC Minoan Age (on the island of Crete)
• 1600-1100 BC Mycenaean Age (on mainland)
• 1100-750 BC The Dark Ages
• 750-500 BC Archaic Period
• 500-336 BC Classical Period
• 336-146 BC Hellenistic Period