Crete and the Minoan Civilization

Introduction

• Crete (Megalo Nissi): Known as the "Big Island"; mythical home of the Minotaur's labyrinth.
• Arthur Evans: British archaeologist who discovered the Minoans, a lost Bronze Age civilization on Crete.

Rediscovery of the Minoans

• Evans depicted the Minoans as unique and isolated due to their island geography.
• New research shows they were connected by sea to other civilizations rather than isolated.
• Minoans thrived on maritime trade, bringing both good (resources) and bad (natural disasters, invasions).

Moklos and Minoan Trade

• Moklos: A key port town, settled 5000 years ago, connected Crete to the Eastern Mediterranean.
• Trade routes linked Crete to Egypt, Cyprus, and the Greek mainland.
• Crete served as a "stepping stone" for continental trade.

Minoan Society and Culture

• Importance of Bronze: Essential for Minoan civilization, they obtained it through connections with the Middle East.
• Trade Center: Minoans traded luxury goods such as deluxe pottery, textiles dyed with "purple" from sea snails, and more.
• Cultural Exchange: Craftspeople exchanged skills across regions, influencing Minoan architecture, namely palaces.

Minoan Religion and Rituals

• Predominantly focused on female deities and priestesses, reflecting a negotiation with nature rather than domination.
• Artifacts depict rituals, bull-leaping, and a focus on nature goddesses.
• Found snake goddess statues, suggesting a culture steeped in reverence and fear.

Cataclysm and Collapse

• Thera Eruption: A massive volcanic eruption that severely impacted Crete around 1530 BC.
  • Resulted in tsunamis, ash clouds, and agricultural devastation.
• 1450 BC Fires: Widespread arson across the island; signs of social upheaval.
• Cannibalism evidence: Post-Thera starvation and social breakdown possibly led to cannibalism.

Cultural Shifts and External Influences

• Cultural Transition: Mycenaeans took control of Crete post-collapse; the Minoans' culture was absorbed and transformed.
• Religious Conflict: Evidence suggests internal religious strife as new male deities challenged previous goddess-centred worship.

End of Minoan Civilization

• Mycenaean decline mirrored Minoan collapse; both civilizations eventually fell due to external pressures and internal fractures.
• Final Refuge: Remnants of Minoan society retreated to mountain hideouts.
• Legacy: Minoans left a lasting imprint on Greek culture through their innovations and mythology.

Conclusion

• The Minoan civilization experienced both remarkable achievements and dramatic declines.
• External trade and internal cultural dynamics played a significant role in their rise and fall.