Minoan Art and
Architecture
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• LINEAR B: a very early form of Greek
writing imported from the mainland
Minoan Periods:
1.Old Palace Period 1900-1700 BCE
2.New Palace Period 1700-1450 BCE
Stairwell in the
residential
quarter of the
palace at
Knossos
(Crete),
Greece, ca.
1700–1400
BCE.
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Figure 4-4 Aerial view (looking northeast) of the palace at Knossos (Crete), Greece, ca.
1700–1400 BCE.
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Figure 4-5 Plan of the palace at Knossos (Crete), Greece, ca. 1700–1400 BCE.
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Minoan Architecture
• Understand the elements and
nature of Minoan palace
architecture.
• What was the “labyrinth” of the
Minotaur and how does the palace
at Knossos fit that description?
• Describe some of the remarkable
achievements of Minoan
architecture.
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The Development of Minoan Sculpture
• Describe the materials used in the
making of pottery in the Minoan
culture.
• What is the predominant imagery in
the painted images in Minoan
pottery?
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Snake Goddess, from the
palace at Knossos (Crete),
Greece, ca. 1600 BCE.
Faience, 1’ 1 1/2” high.
Archaeological Museum,
Herakleion.
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Octopus jar, from
Palaikastro (Crete),
Greece, ca. 1500
BCE. 11” high.
Archaeological
Museum,
Herakleion.
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Bull-leaping, from the palace at Knossos (Crete), Greece, ca. 1450–1400 BCE.
Fresco, 2’ 8” high, including border. Archaeological Museum, Herakleion.
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Minoan Wall Painting
• What is the subject matter and style
seen in Minoan wall paintings?
• What materials and methods were
typically used?
• Compare the fresco in the next
slide with Egyptian wall painting.
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4.3 Mycenaean Culture and Art
• Relate significant aspects of
archeological excavations at Mycenae.
• Understand the link between culture
and architecture of Mycenae.
• Discuss the relationship between
Minoan and Mycenaean art and culture.
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