The Minoans
Target List and describe the government, religion, economy, and contributions of the Minoan civilization
The Aegean Civilization Illiad and the Odyssey Homer Did the people and places really exist? Mid 19 th century Discovery of several Bronze Age civilizations Flourished around the Aegean Sea from 2000-1100 B.C.
The Aegean Civilizations Trojan Named for the city of Troymost important ancient city near Asia Minor Minoan Named for legendary King Minos, who ruled Knossos on the island of Crete Mycenaean Named for Mycenae, largest settlement on the mainland of Greece
The Aegean Civilizations con t Exchanged goods, settlers, and ideas Isolated enough to develop a distinctive culture Were they real? 19 th Century Archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans Ruins of Knossos on the island of Crete Excavated the sites of a civilization known as the Minoans
The Minoans 2000-1450 B.C. The island of Crete was the center of an advanced sea civilization It dominated the islands of the Aegean Sea mainland of Greece Asia Minor
2000 B.C. Mainland Greece was invaded by Indo-European tribes from the North Important changes occurred in Crete at the same time. Why? Natural change or settlers from Greece migrated to Crete? What were the important changes?
Changes of 2000 B.C. 1. Construction of palaces 2. new pottery styles and decorations 3. use of pottery wheel 4. New method of writing (Linear A) Most significant change building of palaces Knossos and Phaestos
Most important city in Crete Led by King Minos Minoans developed and extensive fleet of ships Navy became the most powerful Government became a Thalassocracy rule by the sea Knossos
King Minos Wealthy and powerful Palace at Knossos Uncovered by Sir Arthur Evans Construction begun in 2000 B.C. Over 6 acres
Palace at Knossos Many additions made over the centuries Brick and limestone buildings Broad stairways to upper stories
Knossos con t Walls decorated with frescoes Art where artists apply color to plaster before it hardens.
Knossos Sanitary System Running water and flush toilets
Knossos Light wells to illuminate rooms with daylight
Knossos Found a stone chair Throne of King Minos? If so, it s the earliest one ever found!
Knossos Outdoor theater stadium seating - seats up to 500 people Watched performances Dancing, wrestling, boxing
Bull Leaping!!! Bull Leaping!!! How do we know this?
Frescos Depictions of Minoan Men and Women Men, red-hued skin Women, white skinned Women participated in activities, festivals and athletics with men.
Religion No statues or temples have been found Priests did not play an important role in society Minoans believed the gods lived in trees, stones and natural objects Worship took place in groves and sacred caves. Also in shrines built in the homes of the Minoan people
Religion Placed reverence statues in holy places to act as representatives of the gods Most important Minoan deity was the Mother Goddess What is she holding? What does it symbolize? Renewal! Shows that it is possible that women held important positions in society
Bull-god Symbolized male strength and creative energy Classical Greeks (5 th -4 th c B.C.) Zeus Assumed the form of a bull Born in a cave on the island of Crete What does this show? Minoan influenced Greek gods. Religion
Economy The island of Crete is very rugged and mountainous Volcanic soil Olives, grapes and flax
The Minoans were skilled at the Sea Fisherman Maritime trade in agricultural products and crafted items Pottery After 2000 B.C. used potter s wheel Kamares style light on dark More naturalistic Economy con t
Gold and silver jewelry Minoan Jewelry
Writing 2000 B.C. Minoans developed a form of hieroglyphic writing Why? Kept accounts of their trading activities Soon evolved into a syllabic script (symbols represented syllables rather than single letters) Linear A
The End of the Minoans About 1500 B.C. the settlement of Crete were destroyed by earthquakes (volcanic eruption) Most of the towns were rebuilt Period of peace and prosperity 50 years later Minoan civilization came to a sudden end Invaders from mainland of Greece (Mycenaeans) destroyed the major towns
Targets List and describe the government, religion, economy, and contributions of the Minoan civilization
Legacy of the Minoans Myths and Legends Theseus and the Minotaur Why are myths so important? Read: Why Myths Endure