Traders of the Mediterranean Sea Minoan & Phoenician Societies

1. Geography Minoans, a powerful sea-faring people dominated the Mediterranean from 2000 to 1400 B.C.E Minoans, a powerful sea-faring people dominated the Mediterranean from 2000 to 1400 B.C.E They lived on Crete, a large island in the southern part of the Aegean Sea They lived on Crete, a large island in the southern part of the Aegean Sea

1. Geography The Capital city of Knossos, did not have any protection beside the sea The Capital city of Knossos, did not have any protection beside the sea Minoan society was named after King Minos Minoan society was named after King Minos

2. Minoan Culture The Legendary King owned a half-bull half man that the King would offer sacrifices to The Legendary King owned a half-bull half man that the King would offer sacrifices to Paintings have been discovered showing young men fighting and leaping over bulls: this ceremony probably had religious and rites of passages ramifications Paintings have been discovered showing young men fighting and leaping over bulls: this ceremony probably had religious and rites of passages ramifications Minoans were also believed to have sacrificed bulls and sometimes people to the gods Minoans were also believed to have sacrificed bulls and sometimes people to the gods

2. Minoan Society Minoan Society believed in mother goddess that ruled the Island, she was often depicted with animals and flowers Minoan Society believed in mother goddess that ruled the Island, she was often depicted with animals and flowers Historians also believe women were allowed to become priest Historians also believe women were allowed to become priest Historians believe Minoans traded with Egypt, Syria and influenced Greek Culture Historians believe Minoans traded with Egypt, Syria and influenced Greek Culture

2. Minoan Society Minoan Language was pictographic and has never been decoded Minoan Language was pictographic and has never been decoded Minoan legacy was its art and influence and trade with other societies Minoan legacy was its art and influence and trade with other societies Minoan society was done in by natural disasters: earthquakes followed by tidal waves Minoan society was done in by natural disasters: earthquakes followed by tidal waves

3. Phoenician Society Phoenicians, the most powerful traders on the Mediterranean Sea around 1500 B.C.E, lived in modern day Lebanon Phoenicians, the most powerful traders on the Mediterranean Sea around 1500 B.C.E, lived in modern day Lebanon Looked to towards the sea, because the land did not provide needs for civilization Looked to towards the sea, because the land did not provide needs for civilization

3. Phoenician Society Phoenicians set up City-States or trading posts along the Mediterranean Sea Phoenicians set up City-States or trading posts along the Mediterranean Sea Phoenicians not only traded goods, and dyes (which they were famous for) but culture and ideas Phoenicians not only traded goods, and dyes (which they were famous for) but culture and ideas

3. Phoenician Society Tyre and Sidon are some of the early cities established by the Phoenicians One of the Phoenician trading post: Carthage (Africa) latter on becomes a major city in the Mediterranean Tyre and Sidon are some of the early cities established by the Phoenicians One of the Phoenician trading post: Carthage (Africa) latter on becomes a major city in the Mediterranean The Phoenicians greatest legacy was the their alphabet: an ancient ancestor to our alphabet was based on symbols standing for sounds The Phoenicians greatest legacy was the their alphabet: an ancient ancestor to our alphabet was based on symbols standing for sounds Alphabet was needed to keep records and transactions of trades Alphabet was needed to keep records and transactions of trades

3. Phoenician Society Phoenician trades routes connected major bodies of water: Mediterranean, Red, & Arabian Sea Phoenician trades routes connected major bodies of water: Mediterranean, Red, & Arabian Sea Trade routes brought goods & Culture exchange from Middle East, India & China Trade routes brought goods & Culture exchange from Middle East, India & China