Minoans vs Mycenaens
Objective: To be able to describe
the geography of the 2 cultures.
To identify at least 3 similarities
and 3 differences using a matrix
Minoans VS Mycenaean
Crete-island 3,189 square mi
*Legend: birthplace of Zeus
*Mycenae-city NE of
Peloponnesian Peninsula
Legend: Founded by
Perseus
Minoans:
• culture developed on Crete about
3000BCE
•
Maritime Culture
•
Trade routes with Spain, Egypt,
Canaan, and Asia Minor
•
Social = egalitarian
•
Recreation like dance, music, bull
leaping
• Peaceful = lack of war scenes in art,
festivals, culture model for Mycenae
(earliest developed culture on Main land
Greece).
• Minoans flourished for about 600 yrs
between 2000-1400 BCE. Cretan palaces
and villages destroyed in 1700BCE by
earthquakes. Minoans rebuilt.
• The next 100 yrs they established
settlements for trade rather than
imperialistic purposes. (Thera, Kythera,
Melos and Rhodes)
• Minoans and neighbors mutually tolerant
and supportive. Minoans benefited from
trade and created glorious art and
architecture.
Mycenae:
• Settled 2700 BCE
•
Most myths from there
•
Homer used tales in his writings
• Language
•
Developed agricultural economy
(agrarian)
•
Sea trade with Egypt and Asia Minor
•
Unlike Minoans, strong military
•
Art reflects militia importance (why?)
•
Used horses as vehicles of war
• Hierarchy: Kings, Soldiers, Priests, Slaves
•
Recreation-few, mostly religious
festivals and music
• Mycenaean invaders launched invasions on Crete
in the mid-15th century BCE. Causes (?):
• need for copper and other ores for weapons
• disputes over land and trade routes caused exodus
to Asia Minor leaving economy weak
• Mycenaeans could no longer defend against hostile
cultures and fled to the safety of Crete.
• Invasions of Crete 1450 BCE = Minoan
culture ends.
• Captive artist and architects
sent to Mycenae to serve Mycenaean Kings.
The Cretan palace of
Knossos was occupied
by Mycenae’s military.
Weapons, chariots and battles were now
introduced into art, murals
and Cretan culture
• End of Mycenae: 1100BCE, 350 yrs later
= DORIAN GREEKS (Dark Ages)
•
United tribes from NW Greece and Asia
Minor invaded Peloponnesus, the
southern Aegean Islands and Crete,
ending Mycenaean rule. However,
through Dorian reign, elements of both
cultures were incorporated into the art,
architecture and literature of Classical
Greece.