HOW DID THE MINOANS AND MYCENAEANS SHAPE EARLY GREEK CIVILIZATION
http://www.historylink102.com/greece3/minoans-mycenaens.htm
http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/MINOA/MINOA.HTM
Check the Early History section of this article.
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_1741501460/Ancient_Greece.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/J002807/Time%20and%20Time%20Again/Time%20and%20Time%20Again/mandm.html
http://www.flowofhistory.com/units/birth/3/FC17
The Minoans and Mycenaeans played important roles in shaping early Greek civilization. To understand how they influenced Greek civilization, we need to explore their historical significance, cultural advancements, and their lasting impacts.
1. Historical Significance:
The Minoans were an ancient civilization that flourished on the island of Crete during the Bronze Age (c. 3000-1100 BCE). They were known for their sophisticated society, developed trade networks, and advanced cities. The Mycenaeans, on the other hand, were an early Greek civilization that thrived on the Greek mainland from around 1600 to 1100 BCE. They were known for their warrior-based society and their fortified cities.
2. Cultural Advancements:
a. Minoan Cultural Advancements:
The Minoans introduced several cultural advancements that influenced early Greek civilization:
- Architecture: The Minoans constructed elaborate palaces, such as the magnificent Palace of Knossos. Their architectural style, characterized by intricate frescoes, columned halls, and central courtyards, impacted Greek architectural design.
- Writing System: The Minoans developed a script known as Linear A. Although it remains undeciphered, it laid the foundation for later Greek writing systems, such as Linear B in Mycenaean culture and ultimately the Greek alphabet.
- Art and Religion: The Minoans had a vibrant artistic culture, producing beautiful frescoes, sculptures, and pottery that depicted their religious beliefs and rituals. Their artistic style influenced subsequent Greek art.
b. Mycenaean Cultural Advancements:
The Mycenaeans also made significant contributions to Greek civilization:
- Warfare and Fortifications: The Mycenaeans were skilled in warfare and built fortified cities, such as Mycenae and Tiryns, with massive walls and gates. These architectural developments shaped later Greek military architecture and strategies.
- Linear B Script: The Mycenaeans adopted the Minoan Linear A script and adapted it to create their own writing system called Linear B. This was the earliest known form of written Greek and provided crucial insights into their culture, governance, and economy.
3. Lasting Impacts:
Although both the Minoans and Mycenaeans went into decline by the late Bronze Age, their influence on Greek civilization endured:
- The Minoans and Mycenaeans laid the foundations for later Greek civilization by introducing writing, architectural styles, and artistic expressions.
- Their maritime trade networks and connections with other ancient civilizations contributed to the growth of Greek commerce and cultural exchange.
- The Mycenaean legacy, particularly their fortified city-states, influenced the formation of the Greek city-states (polis) that became the basic unit of Greek political organization.
To summarize, the Minoans and Mycenaeans left a lasting impact on early Greek civilization through their cultural advancements, architectural developments, and historical significance. By examining their contributions, we can gain a deeper understanding of the origins and formation of the Greek civilization that followed.