Overview of Minoan and Mycenaean Civilizations

Classical

Highest quality standard in art and culture.

Minoan

Civilization named after King Minos; known for palaces.

Mycenaean

Lion people; known for military-themed art.

Thalassocracy

Empire that rules over the seas.

Palace of Knossos

Main Minoan palace with political significance.

Megaron

Central hearth structure in Mycenaean palaces.

Absolute Dating

Specific dating method not used prehistorically.

Relative Dating

Determines age by comparing artifacts.

Pithos

Large clay storage vessel used by Minoans.

Minoan Frescoes

Art depicting bull-leaping and nature scenes.

Snake-goddess

Figurine symbolizing fertility, found in Minoan context.

Linear A

Undeciphered script from Minoan archives.

Linear B

Readable script used in Mycenaean Greece.

Lion Gate

Entrance with Cyclopean walls and lion reliefs.

Relieving Triangle

Triangular opening to reduce lintel weight.

Shaft Grave

40 ft deep graves with multiple burials.

Grave Circle A

Site with 19 skeletons and rich grave goods.

Mask of Agamemnon

Gold funerary mask from Grave Circle A.

Tholos Tomb

Circular tomb with relieving triangle, visible.

Heroon of Lefkandi

Tomb with a couple and horses, short-lived.

Proto-geometric Pottery

Early pottery with Mycenaean influences.

Cremation

Burial practice marking Iron Age arrival.

Inhumation

Burial method used for Lefkandi female corpse.

Conspicuous Consumption

Burial with luxury items to display status.

Prosthesis

Burial representation; mourning gestures depicted.

Nestor's Cup

First Greek inscription, proof of trade.

Hekatompedon

Temple of Hera, 100 ft long.

Architectural Orders

Doric, Ionic, Corinthian styles in Greek architecture.

Temple at Apollo at Thermon

Doric temple with an apse and metopes.

Proto-Corinthian Pottery

Decorated vases from the Orientalizing period.

Polyphemus Painter Amphora

Pottery depicting Odysseus and Cyclops myth.

Poleis

Independent city-state with agora and sanctuary.

Panhellenic Sanctuary

Worship site accessible to all Greek city-states.

Temple of Apollo at Delphi

Sanctuary with oracle; features omphalos. doric order

Treasury of the Athenians

• Important treasury located in Delphi sanctuary.

• It is decorated with the deeds of Theseus and Herakles

• battle and the epihany of a goddess are depicted on the pediments

Doric order

Simple column style with fluted shafts.

Metope

Panel between triglyphs on a Doric frieze.

Caryatid

Column in the form of a female figure.

Kouros

Naked male statue, often funerary.

Korai

Clothed female statues representing goddesses.

Temple of Artemis at Corfu

Large temple with gorgon Medusa decoration.

Temple of Aphaia

Smaller temple with two pediments depicting Trojan War.

Severe style

Art style with blank expressions and serenity.

Sophrosyne

Greek concept of self-control and moderation.

Black figure pottery

Figures painted black on red clay background.

Red figure pottery

Figures left red, background painted black.

Three-step firing

Vase firing process involving oxidation and reduction.

Krater

Vessel for mixing wine and water.

Kylix

Drinking cup with a central tondo.

Amphora

Storage jar, sometimes for ashes.

Symposion

Male gathering for drinking and discussion.

Temple of Zeus

Temple housing a giant statue of Zeus.

Bluebeard Pediment

Symbol of autochthony with snake-bodied figures.

Titanomachy

Battle between gods and titans in mythology.

Oath of Plateia

Promise to not rebuild until Persians defeated.

The Defensive (Memory) wall

Wall with remnants of Pre-Parthenon columns.

Dörpfeld foundations

Ancient temple with multiple cults represented.

Pre-Parthenon

Unfinished temple burned during Persian wars.

Panathenaic procession

Parade offering peplos to Athena.

Theatre parts

Components include theatron, orchestra, skene, parados.

Temple of Athena Alea

• Doric temple with aerodynamic design.

• Architect: Skopas

• corinthain order columns as engaged columns

• 2 storied

Andron

Men's gathering space separate from the house.

Pebble mosaic

Decorative floor, often monochrome with designs.

Funerary stelai

Gravestones with sculpted images of the deceased.

Mausoleion at Halicarnassus

Tomb of Mausolus, architect Skopas involved.

Royal tombs at Vergina

Macedonian tombs with barrel vaults and urns.

Temple of Apollo at Dydima

Significant temple dedicated to the god Apollo.

Pergamon altar

Monumental altar with elaborate reliefs.

Pathos

Emotion or passion in art, opposite of sophrosyne.

Lacoon

Famous sculpture depicting a Trojan priest.

Sleeping Satyr

Sculpture representing a relaxed, drunken satyr.