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disc of Phaistos
A disc made of fired clay with 45 signs, inscriptions/script are unknown and cannot be deciphered.
S: Shows Minoans had some sort of writing system.
euhemerism
A perspective that seeks the facts and explanations through myths, knowing people didn't completely make them up. Looking for the grain of truth, myths are based on REAL events but exaggerated them.
S: How we view myths today, we practice this when observing Greek cultures in general, using epic texts and other myths in order to gauge what society valued.
galopetres
Milk-stones/seal-stones that showed identification or ownership of an object.
S: Showed some sort of language again, clear composite society that had systems.
Hagia Triada sarcophagus ★
A coffin (sarcophagus) that depicts a Minoan burial. One side depicts the deceased, looking at gifts being brought to him thought to facilitate the deceased's existence in the underworld.
S: Shows us about minoan culture in relation to the underworld (they believed in one)
ideogram / ideograph ★
A symbol that represents an idea/concept.
S: Used in Minoan Linear A.
labrys
A double-edged axe, one of the two big symbols of Minoan power representing some sort of power/strength.
S: Showed Minoans valued strength and power in society.
Linear A
Language Minoans used. Undeciphered, uses syllabry. Information comes from burned clay tablets.
S: Minoans, who preceded Mycaneaens, spoke a diff. language than them!
mytho-history
The idea that what we know about Minoan culture has been passed down through myths. Certain events can be presented as historical, yet it has mythical elements intertwined.
S: We used mytho-history to learn about Minoan and other greek cultures.
Pax minoica
No depiction of violence/war through art. The Minoans were peaceful, life was light-hearted and joyful.
S: Very different in comparison to Mycaneaen culture... Shows that there was a time of peace and peace was highly valued in Minoan culture.
Potnia therōn
Queen of beasts. Central goddess in their religious system, demonstrating control of natural elements.
S: Their central divinity was a woman, Minoans were a matriarchal society!! Also tells us about their religious practices/norms.
PICTURE: DEPICTED AS GOLDEN!!
Ring of Minos
Unique art representation on a ring showcasing divine representations protecting Minoan prized shipbuilding process.
S: Shows importance of shipbuilding to Minoan society, as their primary focus economically was controlling trade. They had extensive power over the sea, and were in a very isolated location so didn't have to worry about showcasing things like their military strengths (didn't care much for protection).
snake-goddess
Specific representation of the Potnia Theron, depicted as a lady with no shirt wheeling snakes.
S: Again, goddess. Keys in on matriachical Minoan society, contrast to later greek city-states.
syllabary ★
Used in Linear A, syllabic units representing syllables.
S: Allowed representation of syllables in a written form, preserved literacy, component of Linear A.
taurokathapsia
A ritual/sport of bull jumping, symbolizing strength and a rite of passage in Minoan society.
S: Shows again that Minoans symbolized strength, but the rite of passage was not one that involved violence against others. This rite of passage showing strength rather than brute violence/bravery shows a difference in emphasizations, values that align with peace & personal skills.
thalassocracy
A society that rules the seas, with a strong navy and trade influence.
S: Minoans were this type of society... They relied on the seas as they were isolated on Knossos/Crete, allowing for strong control of trade and economical prosperity.
MALABA
Wealthy powerful states connected through diplomatic missions during the Middle And Late Aegean Bronze Age (high economical and millitary ties)
- Babylonians, Hittites, Akkadians, Sumerians, Egyptians.
periodization of Greek history
1) Minoan period (prehistory - Bronze period, 2000-1500 BC)
2) Mycenaean period (ca. 150-1150 BC)
3) "Dark ages (1150-800 BC)
4) Archaic period (800 BC-514/490/479 BC)
5) Classical period (~500-323 BC).
6) Hellenistic period (323-31 BC)
7) Greece under Roman rule (31 BC - 529 AD)
8) Byzantine period (529 AD-1453 AD)
*What are the key characteristics of the Mediterranean 'inter-state relationships' during the Middle and Late Aegean Bronze Age (=MALABA)?
- MALABA states were wealthy and powerful, all connected through diplomatic missions. Highly globalized society, all with economical and military ties with one another
- Everyone wanted control of tin. Tin was used to make bronze, the strongest and most durable metal. This need for tin led to a lot of military activity between states.
- Minoans and Cretan's were isolated from a lot of Mediterranean disputes due to their geographical location (on an island, hard to reach, strong control of seas).
* Which states were the MALABA superpowers?
The Sumerians (1st in fertile crescent), also begin w/ Egyptians (before but still power).
Akkadians (earliest MALABA group)
The Hittites
The Babylonians
* What is the significance of Sir Arthur Evans for the study of the Minoans?
British excavator, we know he excavated Knossos (palace where Minoans lived). Published some of what we know about Minoan society, like Pax Monica and Linear A vs Linear B. Discovered Minoans spoke a different language than Myceneans.
* What do we know about Minoan writing system?
Consisted of Syllabary and used Linear A.
We cannot decipher much regarding the writing system, we just know that it was mostly used on clay tablets that were used to keep track of ownership (burnt tablets survived).
* Who were Minoans and how do they fit in the world of MALABA? What were the sources of their wealth?
- We know they were a composite group with clear hierarchies, spoke a uniformed language (but cannot decipher it or its characters).
- Laid foundation for Greek cultures, might've preceded Greeks in Mediterranean's.
- Wealthy because they were masters of the sea, controlled resources and transports w/ unique exposition (could sell + transport goods at a larger scale than others
* What kinds of sources do we have for reconstruction of the Minoan culture and society?
We use ancient remains to learn about their culture and society, observing palaces.
Art is a major source for their culture (vases, frescoes, pottery, etc). Religious art.
Seals/signet rings (seal-stones) called galopetres were used to denote ownership of objects. Again, these stones show signs of a language through patterns.
* Which functions did Minoan palaces serve? What do we know about the structure of Minoan society?
The Palace of Minos (in Knossos) was a complex structure, with housing for royals and elites.
Economic use: Huge storage/deposited grain and wine.
Religious sanction: Centered around a king/queen who were priests and governed society. Matriarchal!
Wealthy because they were masters of the sea, controlled resources and transports w/ unique exposition (could sell + transport goods at a larger scale than others).
* What do we know about Minoan religion?
Many representative divinites through art, female divinites reigned (matriarchal) - Potnia Theron!
Palace of Knossos
Picture only.
Minoan art (La Parisienne)
Picture only
Poppy goddess (another depiction of Potnia theron)
Picture only
