Minoans and Mycenaeans
In the Greek Bronze Age the Minoans and Mycenaeans created the intriguing archaeological sites of Knossos, Mycenae ‘Rich in Gold’, Pylos and Akrotiri. Superstar archaeologists like Schliemann, Evans and Marinatos excavated them, revealing stunning architecture, fortifications, sculpture, frescoes, weaponry, ceramics, jewellery and seal stones, highlighting the mythical enigmas of Agamemnon, Odysseus, the Minotaur, the Trojan War and Atlantis in the process.
This course will explore the relevant social, political and religious contexts of the Minoan and Mycenaean world: diet and disease, eating and drinking habits, social and economic structures, trade and overseas contacts, domestic arrangements, funerary customs, worship, and bureaucracy. But who were these people? Why did they succeed? Why (or) did they fail? This course will invite students to analyse and reflect on the controversies and dilemmas posed by the material evidence, and assess the influence of a culture that has been described as ‘the first European civilisation’.
Date created:
Resources for this course
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EARLY CYCLADIC MALE HARP PLAYER |
This is an interesting video presentation about the Early Cycladic period male harp player from Keros, c.2600–2300 BCE, in the National... |
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Keros: Rethinking the Cycladic Early Bronze Age |
You can watch a lecture, ‘Keros: Rethinking the Cycladic Early Bronze Age’, by Professor Colin Renfrew on YouTube via the link here. |
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EARLY CYCLADIC CULTURE: BIBLIOGRAPHY |
There is a very useful bibliography relevant to the Early Cycladic Culture compiled by Jeremy B. Rutter, Classics Department at Dartmouth College... |
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MODIGLIANI AND CYCLADIC ART |
Modigliani’s sculptures reflect his knowledge of ancient Cycladic art. You can find some information through this link. |
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CYCLADIC ART AND 20th CENTURY ART |
Cycladic art with its anthropocentric character - expressed through perfection and proportion in form, simplicity, and reduction to the very... |
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THE BRITISH SCHOOL AT ATHENS |
The British School at Athens is an educational charity founded in 1886. It now forms part of the British Academy’s network of British... |
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THE RING OF MINOS - AUTHENTICITY? |
THis link takes you to an article entitled On the Authenticity of the “Minos Ring”: Evidence from Spyridon Marinatos’ Archives, by Nanno Marinatos... |
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HERODOTUS 1.171 (ON ANCIENT CRETE) |
Herodotus talks about Minos and the Carians. |
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HERODOTUS 3.122 - THE MINOAN THALASSOCRACY |
Herodotus talks about Minos' 'thalassocracy'. |
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THUCYDIDES 1.4 - THE MINOAN THALASSOCRACY |
Thucydides talks about the Minoan 'thalassocracy'. |
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CRETAN MYTH - DIODORUS SICULUS, 4.59-85 |
Diodorus Siculus' Library of History' 4.59-85, has a good deal of information about the myths of Crete. |
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CRETAN MYTH - DIODORUS SICULUS, 5.78-80 |
Diodorus Siculus' Library of History 5.78-80 has a good deal of information about the myths of Crete. |
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CRETAN MYTH - HYGINUS 'FABULAE' |
Hyginus' Fabulae have information about the people and stories of Crete, from the family of King Minos and Ariadne to Daedalus and Icarus... |
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CRETAN MYTH - APOLLODORUS 3.1.1-3.1.4; 3.15.7 |
Apollodorus 3.1.1–3.1.4; 3.15.7 has important narratives relating the Cretan mythology. |
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CRETAN MYTH - PASIPHAE, MINOTAUR, etc. |
There is good information and further links about Pasiphae, the Minotaur, and Cretan myth on the very useful Theoi.com website. You can access it... |
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Images of the important Bronze Age site of Phylakopi, and of finds made there. |
Steve Kershaw | view |