Lecture 4: Lecture 4: Minoans and Mycenaeans: Minoans and Mycenaeans:

The International Bronze AgeThe International Bronze Age

International Bronze Age International Bronze Age 1500-1100 BCE1500-1100 BCE

Overview:Overview: International trading networks - Copper + tinInternational trading networks - Copper + tin Diplomatic + cultural exchangeDiplomatic + cultural exchange

5 Zones of Power5 Zones of Power1.1. New Kingdom of EgyptNew Kingdom of Egypt2.2. Hittite Empire of AnatoliaHittite Empire of Anatolia3.3. Assyrian and Babylonian EmpiresAssyrian and Babylonian Empires4.4. Minoan Crete and Mycenaean GreeceMinoan Crete and Mycenaean Greece5.5. Small Kingdoms along coast of Syria-CanaanSmall Kingdoms along coast of Syria-Canaan

Hittite Kingdom: Hittite Kingdom: OverviewOverview

1650 BCE: Hittites in Anatolia 1650 BCE: Hittites in Anatolia Territorial ExpansionTerritorial Expansion Monarch: chief priest of all gods (“land of Monarch: chief priest of all gods (“land of

a thousand gods”)a thousand gods”)

Cultural Achievements:Cultural Achievements: Transmission of ancient Mesopotamian Transmission of ancient Mesopotamian

ideas to Greeksideas to Greeks Awareness of historyAwareness of history

Kassite Babylon: OverviewKassite Babylon: Overview

1400 BCE: Kassites conquer S. Mesopotamia.1400 BCE: Kassites conquer S. Mesopotamia.

Cultural Achievements:Cultural Achievements: Highly centralized administrationHighly centralized administration Monarchy: generous land grants, extensive Monarchy: generous land grants, extensive

system of temples, public building, + canals system of temples, public building, + canals Center of literature + learningCenter of literature + learning

1200’s BCE:1200’s BCE: Assyria conquers Babylon under Assyria conquers Babylon under Tukulti-Nurta I (1244-1208 BCE)Tukulti-Nurta I (1244-1208 BCE)

Minoan Crete: OverviewMinoan Crete: Overview

2600 BCE: Emergence of Minoan 2600 BCE: Emergence of Minoan CivilizationCivilization

Trade with Egypt + Eastern Trade with Egypt + Eastern Mediterranean Mediterranean

1700-1400 BCE: Height of Minoan 1700-1400 BCE: Height of Minoan CivilizationCivilization

Sources of knowledge: from art + Sources of knowledge: from art + architecture, architecture, notnot texts texts

ChronologyChronology

1.1. Prepalatial Minoan Crete Prepalatial Minoan Crete

(2300-1900 BCE)(2300-1900 BCE)

2. Protopalatial Minoan Crete 2. Protopalatial Minoan Crete (1900-1700 BCE)(1900-1700 BCE)

3.3. Neopalatial Minoan Crete Neopalatial Minoan Crete

(1700-1400 BCE)(1700-1400 BCE)

Prepalatial Minoan CretePrepalatial Minoan Crete 2300-1900 BCE 2300-1900 BCE

Farmsteads + small villagesFarmsteads + small villages Early urbanization: building complexes of Early urbanization: building complexes of

Myrtos + Mochlos Myrtos + Mochlos Trade networks, 2000 BCETrade networks, 2000 BCE Foreign trade + urbanization = shift from Foreign trade + urbanization = shift from

decentralized culture to social + ruling decentralized culture to social + ruling classesclasses

Major architectural structure: circular tholos Major architectural structure: circular tholos tombstombs

Protopalatial Minoan Crete Protopalatial Minoan Crete (1900-1700 BCE)(1900-1700 BCE)

4 Major palaces: Knossos, Phaistos, 4 Major palaces: Knossos, Phaistos, Mallia, ZakrosMallia, Zakros

New political system: king + bureaucracy New political system: king + bureaucracy Social hierarchy: nobles, peasants, slavesSocial hierarchy: nobles, peasants, slaves Trade continues Trade continues Paved road networkPaved road network End of tholos tombsEnd of tholos tombs

Neopalatial Minoan Crete Neopalatial Minoan Crete (1700-1400 BCE)(1700-1400 BCE)

Height of Minoan civilization: Palace-Height of Minoan civilization: Palace-centered, economic prosperitycentered, economic prosperity

Villas in rural landscape, modeled after Villas in rural landscape, modeled after large palaceslarge palaces

Militaristic lifestyle emerges: weapons in Militaristic lifestyle emerges: weapons in royal tombs. Mycenaean threat?royal tombs. Mycenaean threat?

Minoan PalacesMinoan PalacesGeneral CharacteristicsGeneral Characteristics

Economic activity, political power + religious Economic activity, political power + religious ritualsrituals

Rooms of varying sizes + functions: Rooms of varying sizes + functions: residential quarters, workshops, storeroomsresidential quarters, workshops, storerooms

Maze of rooms, no apparent design Maze of rooms, no apparent design Absence of city walls + fortifications: Absence of city walls + fortifications:

security? security?

Political Structure and Social ClassPolitical Structure and Social Class

EliteElite Royal nobility: luxuryRoyal nobility: luxury King: control over palaces + allocation/use of King: control over palaces + allocation/use of

surrounding landsurrounding land Villas outside palace: lower tier of elite familiesVillas outside palace: lower tier of elite families

Free Peasant ClassFree Peasant Class Small, sparsely furnished houses around palacesSmall, sparsely furnished houses around palaces Accepting as exploited subjects – King as Accepting as exploited subjects – King as

representative of land + people to gods.representative of land + people to gods. Large economic gap between elite + non-eliteLarge economic gap between elite + non-elite

SlavesSlaves Mostly war captives: widespread with Mostly war captives: widespread with

urbanizationurbanization Most belonged to palacesMost belonged to palaces

WomenWomen Occupations mostly unknown. Weavers: Occupations mostly unknown. Weavers:

employed by palaces as professionals or employed by palaces as professionals or slavesslaves

Minoan iconography: women participating in Minoan iconography: women participating in + attending social events+ attending social events

Palace of KnossosPalace of Knossos

2000 BCE2000 BCE 1899: English 1899: English

archaeologist archaeologist Arthur Evans. Arthur Evans.

““Minoan”: Minoan”: mythical king of mythical king of Crete, Minos Crete, Minos (Homer)(Homer)

3 acres, courtyard center, 100’s of rooms. 3 acres, courtyard center, 100’s of rooms. Housed 25,000 people.Housed 25,000 people.

Residences for elite, administrative Residences for elite, administrative headquarters, shrines for religious headquarters, shrines for religious worship, warehouses for storing cropsworship, warehouses for storing crops

Cretan craftsmen: precious jewelry, Cretan craftsmen: precious jewelry, ceremonial vessels, pottery, toolsceremonial vessels, pottery, tools

Colorful paintings of plant/animal life + Colorful paintings of plant/animal life + scenes of human activity (often rituals) scenes of human activity (often rituals)

3000-4000 tablets, Linear B script3000-4000 tablets, Linear B script

Minoan ReligionMinoan Religion

Principal recipient of worship: a goddessPrincipal recipient of worship: a goddess Fertility functionsFertility functions Religious symbols in art: snakes, birds, bulls, Religious symbols in art: snakes, birds, bulls,

stylized bullhorns, axes with double headsstylized bullhorns, axes with double heads Processions, music + dance, gifts + sacrificesProcessions, music + dance, gifts + sacrifices Slaughtering of animals on outdoor altarsSlaughtering of animals on outdoor altars Kings: lacked temple complexes of Near East. Kings: lacked temple complexes of Near East.

Palaces as religious centers.Palaces as religious centers.

Cultural AchievementsCultural Achievements1. Architecture: elaborate palace constructions1. Architecture: elaborate palace constructions2. Trade: great wealth2. Trade: great wealth3. Engineering, in particular water + sanitation. 3. Engineering, in particular water + sanitation. 4. Road network connecting major palaces + 4. Road network connecting major palaces +

towns towns 5. Art: aesthetic pleasure5. Art: aesthetic pleasure6. Leisure and recreation: boxing, 6. Leisure and recreation: boxing,

backgammon, bull-jumpingbackgammon, bull-jumping7. Ancient writing: Linear A tablets, earliest form 7. Ancient writing: Linear A tablets, earliest form

of Minoan script. 1900 BCE - economic of Minoan script. 1900 BCE - economic records in palaces. records in palaces.

Decline of Minoan CreteDecline of Minoan Crete

1400 BCE: Destruction of Minoan Crete1400 BCE: Destruction of Minoan Crete2 theories:2 theories:1.1. Foreign invadersForeign invaders2.2. A natural disaster: tidal wave linked to A natural disaster: tidal wave linked to

eruption of volcano on Thera eruption of volcano on Thera

1000 BCE: All Cretan towns and palaces 1000 BCE: All Cretan towns and palaces (except Knossos) destroyed(except Knossos) destroyed

Mycenaean Age Mycenaean Age 1600-1100 BCE1600-1100 BCE

Economic power shifts to mainland GreeceEconomic power shifts to mainland Greece Grand cities: Mycenae, Tiryns, Pylos, Thebes, Grand cities: Mycenae, Tiryns, Pylos, Thebes,

AthensAthens Extensive trade across MediterraneanExtensive trade across Mediterranean Influence of Minoan Crete:Influence of Minoan Crete:

1.1. Palace-centered economy Palace-centered economy

2.2. Development of Linear B script, related to Development of Linear B script, related to Linear A script. Linear A script.

Mycenaean CultureMycenaean CultureLinear B TabletsLinear B Tablets More than 5000 inscriptions found. What do More than 5000 inscriptions found. What do

they reveal about Mycenaean culture?they reveal about Mycenaean culture?

1.1. Political StructurePolitical Structure Wanax (“lord” or “master”), military Wanax (“lord” or “master”), military

commander, administrative officials, commander, administrative officials, charioteers, mayors of villagescharioteers, mayors of villages

Palace: center of religious organization. King: Palace: center of religious organization. King: economic + political control of sanctuaries economic + political control of sanctuaries

Farmers: rural areas, decent living conditionsFarmers: rural areas, decent living conditions

Slavery: a central institution. Mostly in Slavery: a central institution. Mostly in palace, some domestic slavespalace, some domestic slaves

2. Economy2. Economy Records of economic mattersRecords of economic matters Reveal occupations: goldsmith, shipwright, Reveal occupations: goldsmith, shipwright,

mason, baker, cook, woodcutter, mason, baker, cook, woodcutter, messenger, armorers, shepherd, doctor, messenger, armorers, shepherd, doctor, potter, carpenter, etc. potter, carpenter, etc.

* No literary record of Mycenaean values or * No literary record of Mycenaean values or beliefs *beliefs *

Shaft Graves and TombsShaft Graves and Tombs

““Shaft graves”: bodies lowered into deep Shaft graves”: bodies lowered into deep rectangular pits cut into soft bedrockrectangular pits cut into soft bedrock

Increasing wealth of shaft graves + emergence Increasing wealth of shaft graves + emergence of tholos tombs: growing power of tholos tombs: growing power

Only most elite could afford tholoiOnly most elite could afford tholoi

What can these burial sites tell us about What can these burial sites tell us about Mycenaean culture?Mycenaean culture?

1. Wealth and Power of Kings1. Wealth and Power of Kings Drinking vessels, jewelry, etc: luxurious life Drinking vessels, jewelry, etc: luxurious life

of rulersof rulers Superior nutritionSuperior nutrition

2. Militaristic society2. Militaristic society Graves of warriors: armor, weapons, Graves of warriors: armor, weapons,

chariots. Prestige of military chariots. Prestige of military Kings: commanders-in-chiefKings: commanders-in-chief Well-fortified city wallsWell-fortified city walls Art: military themesArt: military themes International piracyInternational piracy

Mycenaean ReligionMycenaean Religion

Overlap with Minoans (gifts, sacrifices, Overlap with Minoans (gifts, sacrifices, religious symbols, fertility goddess)religious symbols, fertility goddess)

Fusion of Aegean fertility religions (Minoan Fusion of Aegean fertility religions (Minoan Crete) + Indo-European sky/weather gods Crete) + Indo-European sky/weather gods

Differences:Differences:1.1.Cretan place of worship: caves + sanctuaries Cretan place of worship: caves + sanctuaries

on mountains. Mycenae: No shrines outside on mountains. Mycenae: No shrines outside city centerscity centers

2.2.Cretan palaces: more shrines + elaborate Cretan palaces: more shrines + elaborate designs. Mycenae: Megaron complex center designs. Mycenae: Megaron complex center for religious ceremonyfor religious ceremony

Mycenaean PalacesMycenaean Palaces

1400-1200 BCE1400-1200 BCE Architecture + decoration influenced by Architecture + decoration influenced by

Minoans Minoans

Major differences: Major differences:

1.1. On commanding hills fortified by thick On commanding hills fortified by thick walls walls

2.2. Megaron: ceremonial center of palacesMegaron: ceremonial center of palaces

Decline of Mycenae 1150 BCEDecline of Mycenae 1150 BCE

Economy destroyed: warfare between Economy destroyed: warfare between Mycenaean KingdomsMycenaean Kingdoms

Widespread migration: population Widespread migration: population declines by 75%declines by 75%

Cultural prosperity disappears + drought, Cultural prosperity disappears + drought, famine, + invasion risefamine, + invasion rise

City of UgaritCity of Ugarit

City-state of Syria + CanaanCity-state of Syria + Canaan Population of 6000-8000 + 25,000 Population of 6000-8000 + 25,000

farmers in 150 villages in countrysidefarmers in 150 villages in countryside Fertile plain + rich natural resourcesFertile plain + rich natural resources Center of international tradeCenter of international trade 1313thth C BCE: Overpowered by Hittite C BCE: Overpowered by Hittite

EmpireEmpire

City of TroyCity of Troy

Northwestern Anatolian coastNorthwestern Anatolian coast Prospered: international bronze age Prospered: international bronze age Layers of occupation + constructionLayers of occupation + construction 950 BCE: Final destruction of Troy950 BCE: Final destruction of Troy Possible cause: enemy raidsPossible cause: enemy raids City of Troy: immortalized in City of Troy: immortalized in

Homer’s Homer’s IliadIliad

1100-550 BCE:1100-550 BCE: Rise of Neo-Assyrian and Rise of Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian EmpiresNeo-Babylonian Empires

Neo-Assyrian Empire: OverviewNeo-Assyrian Empire: Overview Territorial expansion, reorganization of Territorial expansion, reorganization of

army, building projectsarmy, building projects Mobile battering rams, siege towers, Mobile battering rams, siege towers,

cavalry unitcavalry unit King Asshurbanipal (668-627 BCE) King Asshurbanipal (668-627 BCE)

built library (around 10,000 texts)built library (around 10,000 texts) Conquering: reputation for crueltyConquering: reputation for cruelty Internal revolts, collapse in 605 BCEInternal revolts, collapse in 605 BCE

Neo-Babylonian Empire: OverviewNeo-Babylonian Empire: Overview Strong economy: conquests of terrorStrong economy: conquests of terror Restored roads/canals + expanded Restored roads/canals + expanded

irrigation systemirrigation system Center of international tradeCenter of international trade Architectural achievements: Ishtar Gate, Architectural achievements: Ishtar Gate,

temple of Marduktemple of Marduk Discoveries in astronomyDiscoveries in astronomy King Nabonidus (555-539 BCE): King Nabonidus (555-539 BCE):

worshipped moon goddess Sin. worshipped moon goddess Sin. Fall of empire, 539 BCEFall of empire, 539 BCE

““Dark Age”: 1100-950 BCEDark Age”: 1100-950 BCE

Diplomatic, cultural, + economic Diplomatic, cultural, + economic networks destroyednetworks destroyed

Invasions, migrations, collapse of Invasions, migrations, collapse of governmentsgovernments

Possible Causes: Possible Causes:

1.1. Invasion of “Sea Peoples”Invasion of “Sea Peoples”

2.2. HabiruHabiru: peasants forced into crime: peasants forced into crime

Lecture 4: What do you Lecture 4: What do you need to know?need to know?

Where were the 5 zones of power during Where were the 5 zones of power during International Bronze Age? How is period International Bronze Age? How is period characterized?characterized?

Cultural contributions of Hittites, Neo-Babylonian, Cultural contributions of Hittites, Neo-Babylonian, and Neo-Assyrian Empiresand Neo-Assyrian Empires

General characteristics of Minoan religion and social General characteristics of Minoan religion and social structure; cultural achievements of Minoansstructure; cultural achievements of Minoans

Know the differences between Minoan and Know the differences between Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations (in palaces, religion) – and Mycenaean civilizations (in palaces, religion) – and what they indicatewhat they indicate

Possible causes for decline of Minoans and Possible causes for decline of Minoans and MycenaeansMycenaeans

What is Dark Age? Possible causes?What is Dark Age? Possible causes?