The Economy of Ancient Greece Resources Trade and Goods Greek World History

Instructomania presents the Economy of Ancient Greece This video will detail which natural resources were available to Ancient Greeks, the types of goods Ancient Greeks produced, with whom products were traded, and the methods of transportation used to trade. The word economy through a historian's lens means how a civilization makes money through the buying and selling of goods and services. Some examples may include utilizing resources and trade routes, producing agriculture, and manufacturing products in order to make money. What natural resources were available and which products were made by Ancient Greeks? Greece had only 20% farmable land due to the mountain ranges running all over it. The Greeks adapted to the land by raising animals that needed little land to survive, like sheep, goats, and pigs. They also planted plants that needed little water, such as barley, wheat, olive trees, and grapes. Most Greeks settled along the coasts of the Ionian and Aegean seas, which produced fishing, communication, and travel routes. Craft workers specialized in making tools and products out of wood, clay, bone, wool, steel, and metal. Iron farming tools eventually helped them farm more efficiently and their population grew as a result. Greek artisans made beautiful clay jars and wool cloth. Olive oil and grape wine became specialty products from Greece. Who did Ancient Greeks trade with and in what ways were goods transported? Greece's position in the Mediterranean Sea and along the western end of ancient continental trade routes meant that it became an epicenter for trade and wealth. They swapped goods with sea traders from Egypt, India, Rome, and other parts of Europe. Caravans from as far away as Mesopotamia, India, and Asia also found their way by land to Greece's city-states, specifically the city of Athens. They traded for foreign goods such as leather, linen, wheat, barley from Egypt, pork, cheese, and glass from Rome, and ivory from Africa and India. Let's play Track the Trade Goods. Can you track the product on a map? In this game, there will be three products departing at once from different areas to different destinations. In this first round, you will track the sheep as it travels on the map. There will be other products that may distract you, but keep your eyes on the sheep. Watch the product closely as it travels on the map. So, where did the sheep end up? Was it Greece, Mesopotamia, Africa, or Egypt? That's right, it ended up in Mesopotamia. Let's play again. This time, you will track the pottery. Where did the pottery end up? Was it Greece, Mesopotamia, Africa, or Egypt? That's right, it ended up in Africa. Let's play one last time. This time, you will track the grapes. Where did the grapes end up? Was it Greece, Mesopotamia, Africa, or Egypt? That's right, it ended up in Egypt. As you can see from the game, making money motivated ancient Greeks to grow crops, make products, and travel vast lands to trade. Consider this. In what ways does making money motivate you? Be prepared to support your answer with recent examples. From 2Teachers to all of you amazing teachers out there, we would like to thank you for choosing our resources to use in your classroom. Find more Instructomania teaching materials and lessons at our Instructomania store and on our YouTube channel. Thanks so much for your support!