Pre-historic Aegean: Neolithic --Bronze Age
1.
Aegean Culture: 3000-2000 B.C.
A.
Characteristics: 1. non-Greek (prob. Asia Minor ties)
2. peaceful; economy--sea-trade & agriculture
3. stone, copper tools; clay pottery; begin walled towns
4. language (?) (-ssos; -nthos endings);
5. female god(s) imp. (a "Mother" goddess
B. Sites: (main) Greece--(north) Dimini, Seskio; Islands:-(South) Krete; Cyclades:
Melos, Amorgos [idols--afterlife?]
11. Bronze Aqe Aegean: *2000-1900 B.C."Greeks" invade from North (burn levels)
A. Greeks' main characteristics:
1.
3.
horse/chariot (warlike) 2. grey-Minyan ware pottery
Male principle imp.--gods; Kings (feudal organize)
B. Sites: (mainland) changed by invaders: (fortified citadels) Mykenae, Tiryns,
Pylos, Athens, etc.
111. Minoan Krete: (same people as
mainland?)
Pre-historic
Aegean
cont’d
Dates: 3000-2000 B.C. Early Minoan
2000-1400 B.C. Middle Minoan
IV. Mykenaeans:
(refugees come)
1400-1200 B.C. Late Minoan (Mykeneans conquer linear B)
A.
B. Myths: 1. Minos (title?)
a. 1st navy
b.
Minotaur/
Labyrinth/
Theseus
2. Daedelus--lst architect polit.,
econ., cultural sig. of myths?
C.
Archaeological Evidence:Sir Arthur Evans
1900-1941 at Knossos
1.
2.
great palaces: Knossos, Mallia, Phaistos,
etc. [Middle Minoan]
great sea power/trade/colonies:ex.Thera,etc. to Asia Minor,
C
y
p
r
u
s
3.languages(S):
Linear A, Phaistos disc?,
Linear B (after 1400 B.C
at Knossos)
4.Urban (refined) culture-planned towns,
Kamares ware pottery; frescos
5. Technology: metalwork, drain systems,
indoor plumbing, roads
6. Religion: (prob.) fem. god imp.; bulls,
snakes
7. Women's status --very high (ex.frescoes, statues, jewelry)
1
9
0
0
1
2
0
0
B
.
C
.
E
.
(
i
n
t
o
m
a
i
n
l
a
n
d
G
r
e
e
ce ca. 1950
B.C.E.)
A.
Origins & Characteristics:
1. Origins: Uncertain: prob. central Europe &
N. Asia Minor (Luvians?)
2. Characteristics: a. warlike, IndoEuropean stock-tall?,fair?, clans,
horse, chariot;
pottery: greyMinyan ware
b. Language: Greek
(written -Linear B
[post-1400B.C.E.)
c. Econ
– trade
(piracy?)
evid. thru
E.Med to
Cyprus
d. Society/culture: feudal-kings, vassal kings,
strong,
fortified citadelsex.:Mykenae, Tiryns,
Pylos, Athens
e.Classes: rulerswarrior/aristoc
rat--lrg. land
holdings;
artsans/traders
- small #s;
peasants-agric. workersfree & slave -lrg.#s
f. Women's status-gen.
high, & as per social
status
B.
Archaeological & Literary Evidence:
1. Literary evidence**: a. Linear
B.(1400-1200 B.C.=Late Helladic &
Late
M
i
n
o
a
n
)
t
a
b
l
e
t
s
=
e
c
o
n
.
d
o
c
s
.
@
K
n
o
s
s
o
s
&
m
a
inland
b. Epic: Homer,
Iliad,
Odyssey, etc
– desc. of
myths,tales
of heroes ca.
1200
BC.,
Trojan War.
**"sky-gods-male principle religion &
main deities in Lin. B & Epics
2.
V
a
p
h
e
i
o
c
u
p
=
Archaeological Evidence: (Schileman1870's excav. Troy,Mykenae)
a. Sites (mainland Greece)
fortified citadels-exs.
Mykenae, Tiryns, Pylos,
Athens; also thruout
Aegean islands to Cyprusgen. on hills
M
y
k
e
n
.
T
h
e
m
e
b. Burial practices: 1)Shaft
graves to 1500 B-C-ex.
MykenaeCircles A, B-.; 2) then
tholos (round) + gold death
masks Why? poss.
Egyptian influence? Sig.?
Afterlife?
c. Artifacts and Pottery:.
Artifacts: (poor artistic
quality, gen.)
religious idols - - (mother
and child?)
pottery: common style
thrutout Aegeansig. = common Myken.
cufture, much trade
metals: bronze weapons,
gold cups,jewelry
(Kretan work?)
b
u
t
a
r
t
A
r
t
:
f
r
e
s
coes-ex -Tryns,,
women driving
chariot-Sig. ?
C.
Discuss:
Destructlon(s)-1200 B.C.: Theories: 1) -"sea peoples" ?;
2
)
c
i
v
il
w
a
r
s
?
1100 B.C.: "Dorian
Invasion"
1) Compare Minoan & Mykenaean
societies
2) Validity of evidence for cultures &
their "falls"?