The location, geography, topography and resources of Crete, greatly influenced the way the Minoan society lived. The physical environment affected what they ate, the skills they learned and what their homes and palaces were built with.
Crete is the largest of all the Greek islands. It is 260 kilometres from east to west and is no wider from north to south than 60 kilometres. The people of Crete, therefore, were never faraway from the sea. The waters surrounding them provided the Minoans with fish, octopus, shellfish and crustaceans for food. The sea also provided a defence from attack, as any invader would have to have any ships to be successful. This meant the Minoans did not need to build defensive walls around their towns to protect themselves.
To fish for food, the Minoans had to build ships. As a result, they became some of the most famous sailors. Recent discoveries by historians have shown that Minoans had advanced navigational skills. A trading centre was discovered on Crete, indicating they set up a permanent camp for traders.
In Crete, the winters were mild and snow fell on the mountains. The summer was hot, but cooled by the wind from the sea. The rain mainly fell in the spring and autumn.
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The island is very mountainous. There are three main ranges: the white mountains, Ida range and Mt Dikte. All were covered in snow up until late spring. The lower slopes of these ranges were covered with trees. This would have provided the Minoans with the wood needed for there buildings. Where the trees did not grow, types of rock, mainly limestone, were found. The Minoans used these resources to build their homes, and used stone to pave their buildings. The mountains of Crete are also covered in caves. Archaeologists believe they were used for religious purposes, shelter or refuge.
Crete is well known for its rich, fertile, farming valleys where many kinds of crops could be grown. Olive trees, grapes, vegetables, fruit, wheat, barley and honey.
At the top of Minoan Society stood the rulers of the different palaces. These rulers governed all aspects of Minoan society. ... Minoan Men and women may have had the same status. ... Minoan religion also showed the status of women. ... The Minoans really lived by taking to the sea. ...
During the period known as Late Helladic (on the mainland) or Late Minoan (on Crete) the Minoans and the Mycenaeans built large palatial structures. ... Evidence shows that Mycenaeans were more militaristic and functioned as a monarchical, or feudal society while the Minoans were more focused on trade and seem to have lacked an individual, dominant ruler. ... Artifacts such as "ordinary kitchen pottery, Minoan techniques of building construction or architectural features, frescoes in the Minoan style, Minoan cult practices and burial customs, [and] Linear A tablets " (Demand 40) all suggest ...
She asks, "Was there ever a totally female society, or at least a society in which women were so dominate that men seemed non-existent?" ... What part did women play in their society? ... However, a courtesan did not uphold a high status in society. ... The Minoans had a very elaborate sense of style that would seem to accompany a highly developed culture, but it does not suggest that the society was matrilineal. ... The men and women of the Minoan society shared life equally. ...
Minoan vs. ... These characteristics that defined these societies correlate directly to the success of each as an ancient civilization. ... Similarly, before the Mycenaean's took over what the Minoans had left, the Minoans also used the seas to trade their goods. ... The Mycenaean government was very similar to that of the Minoans. ... No temples have been found so it is believed that priests did not play an important role in their society. ...
As well, a common trait exists in the recreational endeavors of both societies. One example of this is Minoan sports. ... As shown through the various elements of the Minoan culture, Atlantis and Thera were all but identical. ... Also, the Minoan culture of Thera is identical to that of Atlantis. ... Finally, the tragic way in which both societies ended, is the last link which ties them together. ...
MINOAN BURIAL CUSTOMS Ancient Minoan society has been a controversial subject ever since Arthur Evans discovered the Palace of Knossos on the island of Crete in the year 1900. ... During the late Neolithic period in the north and east of Minoan crete, cave burials were the norm. ... Later on during the early Minoan period, the Minoans began creating circular shaped tombs, called tholos tombs. ... Larnakes were Minoan coffins and in the early Minoan period were quite basic, without legs and never painted, although as time progressed, we see some decoration eg the Agia Triada sarcophagus. ....
The Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations, which were roughly from 1900 B.C. to 1300 B.C., did have some similarities like the elegant detail of their art and how they both evolved to using the class society of nobles down to laborers. ... This was where King Minos of the Minoan civilizations lived. ... This was a very peaceful and passive society. ... The Minoans, on the other hand, were not concerned with war. ... The Minoans were also much more structured and advanced. ...
Minoan Civilization circa 2000-1100 b.c.e. centered on the island of Crete, and is considered to be the oldest Greek society. ... Minoan frescoes painted with leaping acrobatic males and females over bulls are reminiscent of American rodeo stars. ... As the Minoan language has not been deciphered, perhaps we will never know the truth, but ongoing archaeological investigation may uncover more tantalizing clues to this ancient civilization that was a major commercial trading society. ... Serene rooms with painted walls of animals and plants add credence to the peaceful lifestyle of the Minoans....
