Geography Of Greece
Isolated Communities and the difficulties of Travel
In Ancient Greece, communities were isolated from one another because of the tall mountains. Travel by land was especially difficult. People walked, or rode in carts pulled by oxen or mules. Only rich people could afford to ride hoses. Travelers could stop at inns on main roads, but a lot of inns only had shelter to give. People had to bring their own surviving goods with them. Traveling by boat was easier, but was still uncomfortable and more dangerous. Travelers might be attacked by pirates, robbed by dishonest soldiers, or the greatest danger the sea itself. The Greeks respected the great sea. They sailed during day and anchored during night. A wise captain would always sacrifice something for the sea god Poseidon before sailing.
Farming in Greece
Most people survived by farming. But farming wasn't easy in the mountainous land. The land was rocky and the water was scarce. There isn't any major rivers flowing through Greece and it mostly rains during the winter months. With so little flat land available, Greek farmers had to think of great ways to use their limited amount of land. Farmers either found ways to get more land or tried to grow things with their little land. Ancient Greek farmers grew food for their families. Greek farmers also raised animals. They mostly kept animals to get clothing, food or transportation. To get land, Greek settlements sometimes went to war with the victor claiming the land. Some settlements were also forced to look farther than the mainland for new food sources and other goods.
Colonies
As populations of Greek communities grew, some communities had not enough farmland to their people. A solution to this problem was starting colonies. Many Greek communities sent colonists over the sea, hoping they could grow food in new lands and send it home. Colonists prepared a lot before starting their journey. Often they start by asking the Greek gods if they were successful. Next, the colonists gathered food & supplies and made sure to take the flame from their town's sacred fire to start a sacred fire in their new home. The Greeks established colonies from 100 to 650 B.C.E. Some colonies became rich through farming and trade.
Trade
Many Greek settlements on the mainland used trade to get goods they needed besides starting new colonies. Some people traded a lot and some people didn't. The Greeks traded in the city-states, with Greek colonies, and in the wider Mediterranean region. Most goods were on ships owned by merchants. Merchants built their ships for space to hold goods rather than for speed. Navigating the ships were difficult. They didn't have compasses or charts but only the stars to guide them. The stars can tell sailors where they were, but not hazards that lay nearby. In spite of these dangers, adventurous sailors carried more and more goods, and trade flourished along the Mediterranean coast.