The ancient Greek Civilization inherited traditions, art, literature, language and ideas from three earlier cultures--Minoan, Mycenean, and Macedonian. The Minoans were islanders and sea people, while the Mycenean and Macedonian people were from lands to the north of the Balkan and Peloponnesian Peninsulas. At first Greek civilization was formed when Minoan and Mycenean cultures blended. Later Macedonia conquored the peninsular Greeks and spread Greek influence throughout much of Asia and the Mediterrean through the efforts of Alexander the Great. |
