the minoans and the mycenaeans. the minoans and the mycenaeans first civilizations in europe the...
TRANSCRIPT
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