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Key Images
″Frying pan,″ from Chalandriani, p. 80, 4.1
Figure, Cyclades, p. 81, 4.2
Harpist , from Amorgos, p. 82, 4.3

The Cycladic culture was named for the cycladic islands forming a circle south of
Attica. The archaeological record suggests that the Cycladic culture dates from ca.
3000–1600 BCE .
 ″Frying pans,″ or flat round terra cotta objects with handles, may have been used as palettes for mixing cosmetics.

Our greatest source of information about the Cycladic culture comes from the marble figures of varying sizes found in different contexts. Minimalist in design and highly geometric, female figures are always depicted standing with their arms crossed over their torso. These statues vary in size from a few inches to over 5 feet tall.

Male figures were often depicted sitting down or playing a musical instrument.

Several interpretations of these figures have been put forward. These figures were originally thought to carry some religious meaning, perhaps serving as idols. More recently scholars have suggested that they were intended to function as funerary objects, representing servants or even the deceased. Since many of these objects have been found outside of a funerary context, some scholars think they may have served a dual function—serving as a cult figure prior to being buried with the deceased. The lack of knowledge about the provenance of the statues makes interpretations about their original meaning and function problematic.
Key Images
Reconstruction of the Palace Complex, Knossos, Crete, p. 83, 4.5
Staircase, east wing, Palace Complex, Knossos, Crete, p. 84, 4.6
Grandstand Fresco , from Knossos, Crete, p. 86, 4.7
The Queen’s Megaron, p. 87, 4.8
Spring Fresco , from Akrotiri, Thera, p. 87, 4.9
Flotilla Fresco, from Akrotiri, Thera, p. 88, 4.10
Beaked jug (Kamares ware), from Phaistos, p. 88, 4.11
Octopus Vase , stirrup jar from Palaikastro, Crete, p. 89, 4.12
Harvester Vase , from Hagia Triada, p. 89, 4.13

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Rhyton in the shape of a bull’s head, from Knossos, p. 90, 4.14
Snake Goddess, from the palace complex, Knossos, p. 91, 4.15
The Toreador Fresco, from the palace complex, Knossos, p. 92, 4.16

The Minoan culture dates from ca. 3000–1450 BCE and takes its name from King
Minos, whom Homer tells us was the legendary ruler of the island of Crete.

The largest Minoan palace was at Knossos and was excavated by Sir Arthur Evans who called it the palace of Minos. The palace complex was heavily restored by
Evans between 1900 and 1932. The building was called a ″palace″ by Evans, but the building functioned not only as a royal residence, but also a distribution center in which raw goods would be refined and then exported by sea. There were three of these complexes on Crete: Knossos, Phaistos, and Mallia.

The frescos from Knossos have an organic quality. This, in conjunction with abundant statues depicting a woman (or goddess) holding snakes, suggests that the
Minoans may have practiced earth worship. The presence of sea motifs on Crete and
Thera reflect the close relationship that the Minoans had with the sea.

Scholarship is divided over why the Minoan culture came to an end. A volcanic eruption on neighboring Thera in ca.1450 BCE may have contributed to the decline of the Minoan civilization, and there is also evidence to suggest a Mycenaean invasion.
Key Images
Aerial view of Mycenae, p. 93, 4.17
Aerial view of Tiryns, p. 93, 4.18
Corbeled casemate at Tiryns, p. 95, 4.20
The Lion Gate, Mycenae, p. 95, 4.22
Reconstruction of megaron at Pylos, p. 96, 4.23
″Treasury of Atreus,″ Mycenae, p. 96, 4.24
Interior of ″Treasury of Atreus,″ Mycenae, p. 97, 4.26
Mask of Agamemnon, from a shaft grave in Circle A, Mycenae, p. 97, 4.27
Inlaid dagger blade, from shaft grave IV, Grave Circle A, Mycenae, p. 98, 4.28
Vaphio Cup , p. 98, 4.29
Three Deities , from Mycenae, p. 99, 4.30

The Mycenaean culture dates from ca. 1500–1100 BCE . Homer mentions three
Mycenaean “palaces” on the Greek mainland: Mycenae, Pylos, and Tiryns.

Mycenae was excavated by Heinrich Schliemann, an avid classicist who believed that he would be able to locate the site of the ancient city of Troy by reading Homer’s description in The Iliad . After settling on the probable site of Troy, Schliemann excavated there and uncovered a hoard of jewelry and weapons known as ″Priam’s
Treasure.″ Schliemann then turned his attention to Mycenae, uncovering the shaft

22 graves of Circle A where he found the so-called Mask of Agamemnon . Although
Schliemann believed that this was actually the death mask of the Mycenaean ruler, the mask has been dated to ca. 1600–1500 BCE , several centuries before the date of the Trojan War.

Unlike the palace at Knossos which had no need for fortification walls due to the protection from the sea and Minoan fleet surrounding the island, Mycenaen cities were heavily fortified. These fortifications were constructed using Cyclopean masonry, suggesting that only a creature as mighty as the Cyclops could lift the blocks into place.

The Lion Gate at Mycenae is a monumental entrance into the palace. The lionesses above the lintel reflect a Near Eastern influence, and they flank a Minoan column which could reflect the Mycenean domination over the Minoans.

At the end of the middle Helladic period, the Mycenaeans buried their dead in shaft graves. Later tholos (or ″beehive″) tombs were used instead.

The grave goods from Mycenae were exceptionally rich, ranging from gold death masks, to highly decorated weapons, cups, and jewelry.
Key Terms/Places/Names
Helladic provenance
Sir Arthur Evans
Minos minotaur fresco rhyton
Kamares ware
Linear A
Linear B wanax megaron
Heinrich Schliemann
Homer propylons casemates corbel corbel vault heraldic pose
Cyclopean masonry tholos (“beehive”) tomb

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Discussion Questions
1. How would you assess patterns of contact in the ancient world among the Egyptian,
Minoan, and Mycenaean civilizations? Give examples of culture exchange among these peoples.
2. Compare and contrast Cycladic Female Figurines with female sculptures from the
Ancient Near East and the Old Stone Age in both style and function. How do they differ? In your opinion, what accounts for this change?
3. What is the impact of the abstract design in the Cycladic idols?
4. Compare and contrast Cycladic Female Figurines and the Snake Goddess in terms of medium, style and function.
5. Discuss in both style and function the works of art that are associated with
Mycenaean architecture.
6. Discuss the influence of Minoan art on Mycenaean art. Where can this influence be seen?
7. Define and give an example of Cyclopean architecture.
8. In your opinion, what characterizes the Marine style of Minoan art?
Resources
Books
Getz-Preziosi, Pat. Early Cycladic Sculpture: An Introduction . Getty Trust Publications:
J. Paul Getty Museum, 1995.
Preziosi, Donald, and Louise Hitchcock. Aegean Art and Architecture . Oxford: Oxford
University Press, 1999.
Taylour, William. The Mycenaeans . New York: Thames and Hudson, 1990. www
Knossos (The Hellenic Ministry of Culture) http://www.culture.gr/2/21/211/21123a/e211wa03.html
Museum of Cycladic Art http://www.cycladic-m.gr/
Mycenae http://www.sikyon.com/contents_eg9.html