The Minoans and The Mycenaeans

The Minoans and the Mycenaeans

First Civilizations in Europe The Minoans (2000-1459 BCE) The Mycenaeans (1600-1100 BCE)

First Civilizations in Europe

Due to the harsher climate, civilizations in Europe did not emerge until after 3000 BCE

Around 3000 BCE complex societies developed around Greece and the Aegean Sea

One of the central cities named Knossos

                                                                                                                        

Ruins of the Palace of Knossos

The Minoans

Bronze Age culture living on the island of Crete

Named after King Minos, the king of Knossos

The Palace of Knossos

Minoan Trade

Traded with Egyptians (linen, papyrus, olive oil)and other Aegean Islands

Wood, food and textiles exported from Crete while luxury items were imported (gold, solver, perfumes) Grand Staircase at the palace of

Minoan Art and Architecture

Pottery, metal work and ivory carving

Buildings of several stories with complex indoor plumbing

Art comparable with Egypt

Developed a written language system, Linear “A”, and Linear “B”

Minoan Religion

Minoans were likely a matriarchal society, evidence is the many goddess statues

Exact beliefs unknown, but the bull seems to have been a religious symbol

The decline of Minoan Civilization

In 1700 BCE all of the palaces on Crete were destroyed in an Earthquake

Around 1500 BCE a volcano erupted, on the island of Santorini, causing great destruction

A steady decline resulted

The Mycenaeans

“Achaean” invaders entered mainland Greece around 2500 BCE from Asia Minor

By 1600 BCE they had developed a complex culture around the Peloponnesian peninsula

One of the central cites names “Mycenae”

Mycenae Remains

Mycenaean Palace States

A number of palace states fought each other for power, each has a warrior king who was both a military and religious figure

Warlike society controlled by the ruling class, peasants and craftsmen served the nobles

AgamemnAgamemnonon

Alleged Mask of Agamemnon found by Schliemann

Famed king of Mycenae in Greek Myth

Mycenaean Religion

Many Gods, including Zeus, supreme ruler of Mount Olympus and of the Pantheon of gods who resided there, and Poseidon

Religious practices influenced later classical Greek culture

Zeus

Interior reconstruction of a Megaron

Mycenaean Achievements

Perfected Linear “B” Elaborate royal graves

(first shaft graves, then beehive shaped)

Defeated the Trojans in the “Trojan War” in 1250 BCE

Agamemnon a famous king

Decline of The Mycenaeans

The long and costly war with Troy weakened the city state of Mycenae which fell around 1100 BCE

“Dorians” form the north invaded with iron weapons

Invasions also came from many sea peoples