Ch. 4: Art of the Ancient Aegean (1 of 3)

Overview

• Focus on cultures preceding Ancient Greece: Cycladic Islands, Minoans, and Mycenaeans.
• Time period from 3000 to 1100 BCE.

Cycladic Civilization

• Earliest culture in the Aegean, Neolithic and no written language.
• Known from grave artifacts, abundant white marble used in small artworks.

Minoan Civilization

• Located on Crete, known for trade, declined around 1500 BCE.
• Notable for sites and artworks, culture possibly ruled by aristocrats rather than a single king.
• Influenced by myth of King Minos; excavations by Arthur Evans.
• Features: "Palace of Knossos" with complex architecture thought to be labyrinthine.
• Cultural exchange evident in varied artifacts from shipwrecks.
• Pottery renowned for elegance and thinness, found widely.

Mycenaean Civilization

• Originated on Greek mainland, conquered other Aegean islands.
• Collapsed around 1100 BCE, marking end of pre-Greek Bronze Age.

Cycladic Artifacts

• Marble figures found in graves, mostly female, lying flat.
• Characteristic design with crossed arms, some painted with eyes and decorations.
• Variability in size, typically not upright.
• Male figures rare, like harp players in graves.
• Modern popularity and issues with provenance due to illicit trade.

Archaeological Discoveries

• Heinrich Schliemann sought to prove myths like the Trojan War in Mycenaean context.
• Arthur Evans methodically linked Minoan culture to mythology but with cautious approach.
• Harriet Boyd Hawes, an early female archaeologist studying Crete, provided lasting contributions.

Minoan Writing and Art

• Early hieroglyphic system, Linear A and B scripts indicating trade and possibly governance.
• Linear B deciphered; Linear A remains untranslated.
• Notable for thin, elegant pottery (Kamares ware) found throughout the ancient world.

Architectural Features

• Complex courtyards for social or religious gatherings.
• Earthquake-resistant designs with flat roofs, columns, and ventilation.
• Large storage facilities indicating rich trade and food preservation capabilities.

Cultural and Mythological Influence

• Minoan culture blended with mythology, particularly the story of King Minos and the Minotaur.
• Use of architectural motifs like double axes (Labrys) connecting to myths and rituals.

Modern Impact and Challenges

• Antiquities trade and forgery issues limit understanding of Cycladic culture.
• Artistic influence seen in early 20th-century artists, increasing the value of artifacts.