The Civilization of the Greeks:

1. Minoan2. Mycenae

3. Dark Ages

Chapter 4

A bust of Pericles

Palace at Knossos

Minoans (2000 – 1450 BCE)

Detail of Throne

• Minoan Crete, 2000-1450 B.C.E.– Named for

legendary King Minos, centered on the Island of Crete

4 major Complexes

• 3 functions of the palace:– Royal residences– Centers for religion and ritual– Headquarters for administering the Creten

economy• Powerful, efficient government-controlled trade• Strength based on trade in the Eastern

Mediterranean

Trade With Egypt

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Grand Stair case with frescos beyond on walls.

Palace columns at Knossos showing two levels

Dolphin fresco from queen’s Megaron

Dancing girl from

Queen’s Megaron

• Bull leaping Games Fresco at knossos

Female Statuettes

• thousands of distinctive marble figurines– vast majority of female.– Suggests women’s

status

• Very few male figurines– musical activity, playing a

lyre or double pipes.

• Mountain Mother– Worshipped at

mountain peak ceremonies

– Numerous rings and paintings depict rituals of ecstatic song and dance in her honor

Bull’s head

Knossos,

gold and faience

Bull’s Horns Gate

at Knossos

• Crafts people of crete

• Highly developed art forms

• Bronze tools• Gems• Fine – egg shell-

pottery for export

• Golden double headed axes from cave near Knossos

Minoan Ewer

Golden bee

Minoan culture

Inlaid bronze knife –

Belonged to a woman.

Interior drains

Sewage System

Water works outside

hall of the

double axes

Storage at Knossos

• Pictograph by 2000 BCE

• Syllabic Writing by 1700 BCE

– Linear A

Linear A

Not yet deciphered

•New Script –

•linear B

• Transcribes Greek

• Minoan characters with early form of Greek

• May have become the official language of Crete

• 

Linear B logograms

Linear B Syllabry

End of Minoan

• 1450 - destruction of 3 major palaces. – Volcano Thera - too early.

 • 1370 - Palace at Knossos also destroyed

• Crete was incorporated into Mycanae, the leading city state of Mainland Greece

 

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B. Mycenae: 1st Greek State

Mycenae

Named for Mycenae the principle palace site and stronghold

Militaristic culture Intent on conquest,

raiding & obtaining gold

Active traders Colonies in Eastern

Mediterranean

3

Mycenaeans

Small kingdoms Dwellings centered

around a heavily fortified hill top palace or citadel

Mycenae - capital of the legendary king, Agamemnon Administrative center Cemetery Wall

Reconstruction of Megaron

Massive entrance gate - huge stone lions

 

Mycenae: War Culture

War-related artifacts and vase paintings depicting war abound

Grave goods evidence wealth of some kings

Dominance of Men

Mycenaean Gods, Zeus and Apollo established over the sanctuaries of female deities worshipped before conquest

Earlier predominance of female deities replaced with male images

Gold death mask

tomb IV Mycenae

Gold Lion Head Mycenae

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Greek “Dark ages” 1150 – 750 BCE A period of general upheaval

throughout much of the eastern Mediterranean Mycenaean commerce, culture, government &

writing declined lost knowledge of how to write

850 BCE people emerged from time of darkness settling, building towns, trading overseas new waves of immigration increased population restored written culture

 

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