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Minoa and Mycenae Trading Creativity A Unique Type of Civilization • Ancient Crete – geographically small – No major rivers – Infertile soil • Therefore, it became trade dependant • Possible origin: Phoenicia (Byblos) A Unique Type of Civilization "A huge industrial development was required to produce the metals, cloth, pottery, oil, and wine, which Greece exported in exchange [for food]. Fifth-century Attic [Greek] vases have been found in the Rhineland and on the banks of the Marne [France]. Industrialized to an extent which was then a novelty, and which was facilitated by the fact that the mother-city of democracy had a population that was about one-half slave, Athens would have starved but for the continuing reputation of its pottery, bronzes and the other metalwork, and furniture, which brought the corn-ships to the Piraeus [port of Athens]." – T.K. Derry and T. I. Williams, A Short History of Technology Minoans (2000-1400 BC) • Named for king of Crete (Minos) • Island isolation meant no defenses were necessary • Peace • Stable civilization – – – – Sufficient food (by trade) Specialized labor Hierarchy Writing (Linear A, not yet fully decipherable) Minoans (2000-1400 BC) • Infrastructure – Aqueducts and sewers – Grain storage – Cooling and heating systems for the home – Open court yards and assembly halls – Administrative offices – Lesser homes and palaces – Palaces had divisions between • • • • Private Government Religious Public Minoans (2000-1400 BC) • Importance in art – For Beauty and Leisure – Not for ruler or religion • Bull and Minotaur significant – Legend of 14 youths being sacrificed yearly to the minotaur who lived in a labyrinth – Cycle was broken by Theseus (son of the king of Athens) with the help of Minos’ daughter and the goddess Aracnid • Myths are fictitious, but they are rooted in truth Minoans (2000-1400 BC) • Society mysteriously ceased to exist – Possibly a volcanic eruption on Thera (Santorini) • Polluted Crete’s air and soil making Crete uninhabitable • Possibly explains the plagues of Egypt – Part of a reasonable story that is symbolically told through the Minotaur Myth – http://youtu.be/kpR0R1kADbU Thera, Santorini Island Minoans (2000-1400 BC) • Thera Explosion and the Plagues of Egypt • Legend of Atlantis Minoans (2000-1400 BC) • Minoan society mysteriously ceased to exist – Part of a reasonable story that is symbolically told through the Minotaur Myth • Mainland Greeks (Mycenaeans) filled the vacuum of power in Aegean Thera, Santorini Island Mycenaean Period (1400-1000 B.C.) • Originally dominated culturally and politically by the Minoans – Art adopted Minoan style and mediums but was more somber in color, tone and topic Mycenaeans • “The Age of Heroes” • Rooted in War • Fortified palaces and massive walls were built because the Mycenaeans were on the mainland • Soon developed their own identity – Focused on trade and used their military to manage any problems Mycenaean Major centers (1400-1000 B.C.) Mycenaean Period (1400-1000 B.C.) Trojan War (1200 B.C.) • Fought because of trade dominance? • Fought because of Love? • It did happen – Archeological evidence – Story told by Homer 400 years later because the Minoan and Mycenaean languages (Linear A and Linear B) were accounting languages that are not well suited to telling stories Mycenaean Period (1400-1000 B.C.) Later Greeks were very interested in both the Minoan and the Mycenaean cultures and combined the two to make their society Minoans Mycenaeans • Love of Peace • Beauty • Leisure • Religion • Warfare • Traits of heroes – Bravery – Sacrifice for country – Honor The “Dark Age” of Greece (1000-800 B.C.) • Dorian Invasion defeated Mycenaeans – Mycenaeans had fallen to fighting amongst themselves, which made them easy prey • Not completely without Creativity – The Greek polis or city state came about – Beneficial: it kept the government at a local level so experimentation in politics, philosophy and other areas could flourish – A Curse: local pride became bitter jealousy so there was almost constant war The “Dark Age” of Greece (1000-800 B.C.) Sparta • One of the most important and warlike of the city-states • Depended on the domination of small cities surrounding them • Military-based culture – Boys taken at age of seven to learn military skills – Military obligation was over at age of 60 – Women focused on bearing sons • No art • Continued this militaristic culture long after the dark ages Minoans and Mycenaeans – Creativity • Trade-based society • Leisure • Arts for art sake (not as a religious symbol or representation of a ruler) • Heroic ethics Think Greek!