The Aegean

Cycladic Civilization (c. 3000–11th Century B.C.)◦ Impressive examples of early Bronze Age human figures

in marble Female figures more numerous than male Purpose is unknown, but most were found in graves Composed mainly of geometric sections

©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2

Minoan Civilization (c. 3000–1100 B.C.)◦ The modern Greek island of Crete was the home of the

most important Bronze Age culture◦Mythological home of King Minos and the story of the

Minotaur◦ The Palace at Knossos

Knossos had been inhabited since early Neolithic times Palace was asymmetrical and meandering Construction was post-and-lintel

©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 3

Minoan Civilization (c. 3000–1100 B.C.) (continued)

◦Minoan Fresco—pigments mixed in with plaster Additional details painted over the buon fresco

◦Religion Little is known about Minoan religious beliefs Recurring religious motifs: Bulls, double axes, trees,

columns, outdoor shrines, and goddesses holding snakes◦Minoan Scripts

Linear A—developed about 2000 B.C. Linear B—used mainly for inventory lists and records

◦Pottery Energetic designs and organic forms

©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 4

Discoveries at Thera◦Affluent ancient trading city with interior baths and toilets◦Buried by a volcanic eruption 1700–1500 B.C.◦ The Frescoes

Adorned both public spaces and private residences Provide clues about life and culture in ancient Thera

Ship Fresco Boxing Children Crocus Gatherer

©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 5

Mycenaean Civilization (c. 1600–1100 B.C.)◦Archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann sought to prove

certain Greek myths were based on historical events Discovered and excavated both Troy in modern-day Turkey

and Mycenae in the Peloponnese, based on tales from The Iliad and several plays about Agamemnon’s family

◦Evidence of Minoan and Mycenaean contact Mycenaean frescos similar to Minoan frescos Minoan-style columns used on the Lion Gate The gold cup is Mycenaean in execution but with

iconography that is Minoan

©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 6