1. Minoan & MycenaeanThe Bronze Age Cultures of Greece

2. What are the sources for these two cultures?
Homer wrote the Illiad which details the war of Troy – supposedly fought by the Mycenaeans
Heinrich Schliemann was inspired by Homer's epics to find and excavate Troy and Mycenae
Sir Arthur Evans excavated and rebuilt portions of the Minoan palace at Knossos.
The ancient historian Thucydides mentions the power of King Minos' Navy

3. Minoans – When / Where?
Early Minoan civilization distinguished itself during the early Bronze Age (2800BC), but habitation had been evident thousands of years before that
Came to prominence in the Aegean during the Proto-palatial period (2000BC)
Located on the Island of Crete – The largest island in the Aegean!
Key Word: Adapt – they were a culture that adapted to their environment

4. Who were the Minoans??
Named after the Mythic king Minos from the legend of the minotaur (to be discussed)
They were a culture that could do it all!
Trade, art, manufacturing (their goods were found throughout the ancient world), agriculture, architecture, and sports
Lived on an isolated island but through trade had contact with many cultures (Egypt and the Syrian cultures for example)
Builders of huge palaces

5. Why Palaces?
Due to huge innovations in agriculture and trade there was a massive surplus in wealth and goods.
To adapt to this surplus the Minoans connected their towns to a centralized palace that dealt with housing the goods and redistribution of wealth (A store house, royal residence, but not a fortress)
The most famous and largest of these palaces was Knossos built 1900BC

6. The Palace of Knossos Over 800 connected rooms
Artwork on the wall represented everything from civic life to sea life
Artwork represents a very peaceful society

7. Writing and Language The Minoans wrote in a language known as Linear A
Sadly, Linear A has yet to be decoded

8. How did they prosper?
The Minoans adapted to their island environment and utilized sea power as their main force of commerce. (They had PRIME location to do so.)
Along with traded goods they interchanged ideas and goods from other cultures. This can accelerate a culture.

9. What did they trade?
Their export staples consisted of olives, grape vines, timber, oil, wool, manufactured goods, and opium.

10. What was the culture like?
Religion – “Matriarchal Religion”
Their religion was based around the feminine. Without a warrior caste, women enjoyed many freedoms including being the focus of the religion. The statue pictured could either be the deity itself or a worshiper.
Rituals – Bull Leaping
- Bull leaping festival

11. Recurring Imagery: “The Bull”
Heavy debate about what the bull means in Minoan society
Why would a society leap bulls? Can you think of other societies that indulge in dangerous activities as ritual.

12. The People of Minoan Civilization
Evidence shows that men and women enjoyed near equal status
Rulers were priest-kings
There was a division in social wealth. However, evidence shows that even the poor had multi-room dwellings.
Upper class Minoans had free-standing homes near the palaces.

13. The Downfall Big problems in the Aegean
- Around 1500BC colonies on other Aegean islands were being systematically destroyed
Popular theories include a revolt against the rulers, an eruption on Thera, and an invasion from the Sea People! (??)
With the destruction of Knossos around 1400BC the time of the Minoan Civilization had passed.

14. The Mycenaeans – A culture on the Rise
Likely arrived in Greece from the Balkans around 2000BC
- Did not distinguish themselves as a civilization until around 1600BC
Located on the mainland of Greece. The Mycenaeans developed in a unique way when compared to the Minoans

15. Who Were the Mycenaeans??
They were a culture on mainland Greece that existed between BC
They were named after their capital city of Mycenae
They built fortifications on high plateaus – a precursor to the Greek acropolis
They wrote in a language called Linear B – an early form of Ancient Greek
They relished in war. Their oral tradition revolved around their victories.

16. The Social Structure Warrior based society
Mycenae was ruled by a warrior- king. Surrounding cities and territories were ruled by minor kings in a loose truce.
Strong warrior cast
Extremely rich aristocracy
Women had very few rights

17. Our Clearest View Comes From the City of Mycenae
In the 19th century an Archaeologist named Heinrich Schliemann studied the old myths of the Greeks to find ancient city sites
Schliemann was most interested in the epics by Homer, The Illiad and the Odyssey
Through these epics he discovered the possible site of Troy and the fortress of Mycenae – Or the Palace of Agamemnon
Unlike Minoan Palaces, the Mycenae fortresses were self sufficient with running water!
Artwork at Mycenae depicted religious symbols associated with eastern culture: The Sphinx is a recurring image, along with the names of traditional Greek gods.

18. Mycenae – Burials
Mycenaean burials were located in large beehive shaped tombs called “Tholos”
These tombs showed signs of multiple use and had extensive grave goods placed within them. Grave goods included precious metal jewelry, gold death masks, armor, and weapons.

19. Mycenaean art vs. Minoan art... can you spot the difference?
Mycenae – The Art
Mycenaean art vs. Minoan art... can you spot the difference?

20. The Collapse Around 1200BC the power of Mycenae was in decline
Extreme pressure from a northern invasion of the Dorians – They had Iron weapons
Extreme de-population between
This would represent the start of the Greek dark age