Introducing the Minoans and Mycenaeans

European civilizations – had a slow start

Possibly due to more “rigorous” climate

Around 3000 BC, copper introduced to Europe and a Bronze Age started – led to civilization

First real civilization in Europe was called the Aegean civilization (Aegean Sea)

Composed of two parts:Minoan civilization – based on island of CreteMycenaean civilization– based on Mycenae (mainland)

The Minoan civilization (named after King Minos) was really where European and Greek civilization began.A very peaceful civilization – no fortified citiesMastered naval trade routes, no real competitionBrought unparalleled wealth – dominant over Mycenaeans

3 main historical periods Early Minoan(2800-1900BC) Middle Minoan(1900-1600BC) Late Minoan(1600-1050BC)

Earlier (5000 BC), Minoans had come to Crete from Asia (not actually Greeks)Later, entered Bronze Age and began to trade with other civilizations (Egypt)Political power: independent princes ruled from large palace-temples

Disorganized,not much unity

Disaster strikes! (Earthquake?)

Palaces destroyedHowever, reconstruction brings people together

Whole island is united under King Minos in the powerful city of KnossosGolden age for Minoans

Growing industries and naval trade make Minoans very powerfulBecome dominant over Mycenaeans (much jealousy)

Big cultural achievements:Architecture (Very modern houses)System of writing (Linear B – spread all over Greek mainland)Daily life quite modern (athletics, fashions, sewage systems, flush toilets)

Big social achievements:A very rich civilization (influenced everyone around the)Great love and respect for women – considered equals (way ahead of their time)

Marked by decline – but why??One theory:

Enormous volcanic eruption on island of Thera weakens CreteMycenaeans take advantage of weakness and attack!Took Knossos, eventually whole civilization dies

However, Mycenaeans known for adapting, rather than destroying, cultureMinoan civilization remained alive through the Greeks (Homer)

A sample of Greek mythology...

Crete was the location where Rhea, the Earth Mother, gave birth to Zeus. Later, Zeus fathered a son, Minos, who became the King of Knossos, Crete, and the rest of the Aegean.

King Minos' son, Androgeus was a strong, athletic youth. He was sent to represent Crete in the Athenian games and was successful in winning many events. The King of Athens murdered Androgeus out of jealousy.

When Minos heard about the death of his son, he was enraged and deployed the mighty Cretan fleet. The fleet took Athens and instead of destroying the city, Minos decreed that every nine years Athens was obligated to send him seven young men and seven virgin women. King Minos threw them into a labyrinth where they were sacrificed to the Minotaur.

Theseus, the Athenian King’s son, volunteered to be one of the seven sacrificial young men with the intention of killing the Minotaur and ending the suffering of Athens. If he succeeded in his mission, he told his father that he would raise white sails instead of the black sails on his ship.

Theseus arrived at the palace of the Cretan King, and with the help of Minos’ daughter, Ariadne (who fell in love with Theseus), he was able to kill the Minotaur.

In returning home, Theseus, in his excitement, forgot to change the sails on the ship from black to white. The King of Athens saw the black sails. Thinking that his son’s plan failed and that Theseus was dead, the king flung himself into the sea and died.