Minoans and Mycenaeans of Ancient Greece

A Land Called Hellas Peninsula and series of island in the Aegean Sea Rocky, mountainous peninsula with little natural running water Cyclades – Greek islands in the Aegean Crete – largest island in the Aegean Geographical fragmentation led to political fragmentation Communication weak b/c of rough travel between settlements

First Peoples of Greece Neolithic villages and farming sites on Crete and mainland – but did not establish contact with each until 2000 B.C.E. Adoption of metallurgy increased prosperity – bronze tools and weapons Central location of Crete allowed for trade and contact with other civilizations – development of Aegean economy Center of Mediterranean trade These factors led to the rise of Minoan culture on Crete

The Minoans The name “Minoan” comes from the mythical King Minos (of Minotaur fame…) Understanding of Minoan culture is limited b/c their literature has not been deciphered – Linear A Instead, we examine the art and archeology! Minoan culture centered around the palace – political and economic center of society Ex: Palace at Knossos Ruled by a king and his nobles Farmers, shepherds, artisans, merchants Slaves

The Minoan Frescoes Most prevalent form of Minoan art Depict a variety of scenes… Women and men leading religious activities Entertainment (i.e. bull jumping) Sea life and natural world People hunting, in court, daily activities Crete was possibly more egalitarian than other ancient cultures

Here come the Mycenaeans! Arrival of Greek speaking peoples around 2000 B.C.E. Three main groups – all considered themselves Greek Aeolians – Thessaly and Boetia Ionians – Attica and Euboea Dorians – Argos and Laconia (Sparta) Founded powerful kingdom at Mycenae – became the Mycenaeans Also founded kingdoms at Thebes, Athens, and other sites

Center of economic and political life was the king and palace Extensive division of labor controlled by the palace Written language known as Linear B Used to record economic activity Recorded offerings to familiar deities – Zeus, Apollo, Athena Linear B deciphered in 1950s Study of Linear B tablets shows that Greeks brought their religion and deities with them when they migrated to Greece

Mycenaeans vs. Minoans Contact between the two groups initially peaceful 1450 B.C.E. Mycenaeans attacked Crete Destroyed many palaces – including Knossos Mycenaneans benefitted from the collapse of the Minoans Access to more Mediterranean trade – more money! Imported luxury goods Mycenaean ceramics widely distributed across Mediterranean Mycenaeans adopted many aspects of Minoan culture (ex: Frescoes) Frescoes suggest more militaristic society – lots of warriors and hunters

Fall of the Mycenaeans and Dark Age Greece Between 1300 and 1000 B.C.E. Mycenaeans experienced attacks from outside invaders – Sea Peoples or Dorians? Discord between kingdoms led to weak defense Part of larger collapse of societies at end of Bronze Age Fall of Mycenaeans ushered in Dark Age, B.C.E. Society was localized, poor, illiterate Widespread depopulation and migration Greek people spread to outlying parts of Greece, Asia Minor, and Cyclades However, the Greek people and culture survived when other empires collapsed Greek religious cults and small scale social organization

Ways of Interpreting Myth As a belief system As disguised history As disguised philosophy or allegory As fables illustrating moral truths As allegories of natural events As pre-scientific explanation As charters for customs, institutions, or beliefs As religious power, or metaphors for the unknown As expressions of religious rituals As examples of psychological archetypes As stories As embodying irreconcilable structural conflicts in social systems