Aegean Art1500-1100 B.C.

• 2 civilizations on the Aegean Sea– Minoan – on the island of Crete– Mycenaean – on Greek mainland– Both thought to be mythological because they were only known by Homer in

the Iliad. (written in 900 B.C) – In the late 1800’s the cities and their art were discovered by archeologists

Minoan Art

• Richest of the two civilizations• Palace of Minos in Knossos had running water, sewage

system, theater, storerooms, elaborately decorated rooms• People lived a more relaxed, luxurious life

Bull Dance (1500 BC)Frescos painted on walls tell us about their lives

Mycenaean Art

• A warrior civilization• Built citadels – fortresses surrounded by walls

of enormous stone blocks to protect a town• The stones were so large that later Greeks

thought they were built by the mythological figure, Cyclopes, a one-eyed giant

Gold artifacts were found in tombs in 1876

• Vaphio Cup Funeral Mask of King

Agamemnon

Aegean Question

• 1. Why did people suspect the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations existed even before archaeologists discovered their ruins?