WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -A few farmers were able to grow wheat and barley, but most grew crops that needed less land, particularly grapes and olives. Greek farmers produced a lot of olive oil, which was used for cooking, to make soap, and as fuel for lamps. The images on this ancient Greek vase show women gathering fruit.

Detailed explanation-2: -Some farmers built wide earth steps into the hills to create more flat land for farming. Most farmers grew crops like grapes and olives, which needed less land. Farmers planted hillside orchards of fruit and nut trees. Greek farmers raised sheep and goats, which can graze on the sides of mountains.

Detailed explanation-3: -Common bulb and stem vegetables were asparagus, cardoons (artichoke thistle), celery, fennel, garlic, and leeks. Fruit-like vegetables that were a mainstay were cucumbers and squash (marrows). Artichokes (the flower part of the plant) and artichoke thistle (cardoons) also were popular at the time.

Detailed explanation-4: -Farming was difficult in Ancient Greece primarily due to the geography. Greece is not a low, flat place, akin to modern Kansas or Nebraska. Instead, it is a region of mountains and islands, where there is relatively little open plainslands for growing crops.

Detailed explanation-5: -Greek Trade Goods Large-scale food crops were not easy to produce in Greece, but olive trees were abundant. As a result, olive oil became a primary export for the ancient Greek people. Grapes were also easy to grow in Greece, so wine was another popular export.