Minoan culture emerged in Crete around the middle of the fourth millennium BC. They likely migrated from Anatolia to Greece and Crete thousands of years prior to the Bronze Age. Archeologists think this might have been due to a natural disaster such as an earthquake. To describe these historically important civilizations broadly, I have listed 35 facts about Minoans and Mycenaeans. The palatial centres of Mycenaean Greece are smaller than those on Crete, and we know more about how the centres functioned due to the Linear B archives, with the greatest number being found on Pylos. The Minoans and Mycenaeans believed in supernatural powers. 5. Minoan culture became a powerful force in the region. They imitated the Minoans, especially in their trading activities. Minoan culture emerged in Crete around the middle of the fourth millennium BC. However, they are not found at the site of the Palace of Nestor at Pylos. 8. Minoans and Mycenaeans built palaces, created art, molded ceramics, and painted unique images and shapes masterfully. For example, people of Southwestern France and northern Spain still practice Bull-leaping. A significant difference between the Minoans and Mycenaeans lies in their societies' respective dispositions towards warfare. It can be assumed that women were equal to men in terms of their status in society, and they participated in all types of activities, including the most dangerous types of athletic activities. Animal representations are a common theme for both Minoan and Mycenaean, and the bull is no exception. 30. The marine imagery on the vase, suggest it is similar and derives from the artwork of the Minoan culture on Crete. However, evidence retrieved from Minoan Crete, shows that the bull was often used in ritual practices or as an instrument for offerings. The Minoans and Mycenaeans shared facets of their cultures with each other, however due to the Minoans being present on Crete earlier than the Mycenaeans on mainland Greece, the Minoans had a greater influence on the Mycenaeans, rather than the other way around. The legacy left after it is extraordinary, all the works of art delight us to this day, and make us suffer in thinking how it was possible to create such a miracle at that time which is in our opinion, completely “uncivilized”. The Minoans with the use of their aquatic iconography, perhaps influenced the creation of this vase. The weight of the structure is 20 tons. 22. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! The waning of Minoan influence and waxing of Mycenaean dominance has been observed from the archaeological evidence, and the close connection between the two cultures is represented in similarities in the architecture of the palatial complexes, burial practices, and the transmission of iconography and goods from Crete to the mainland. Historians still debate whether Mycenaeans adopted the tholoistyle from Minoans, but the similarities indicate that there was some sort of continuity. According to the legends, Minos was the most powerful ruler of his time. They painted the walls of their palaces with frescoes, examples of which have survived to our time. Everything changed when Heinrich Schliemann discovered the ruins of Troy in Asia Minor in 1873. The frescoes in their palaces often contain images of ships, fish, playing Dolphin, and octopus. They shared similarities and differences such as geography technology, trade, art, military, government, and society. Archeologists think this might have been due to a natural disaster such as an earthquake. Ancient Greek writer Homer mentioned the king Minos in his legendary work called Iliad. Minoan and Mycenaean Civilization comparison Goals/Objectives Students will be able to compare and describe similarities and differences in the ways various cultures define individual rights and responsibilities. Mycenae included many communities on the mainland and the Aegean islands from about 1650 to 1300 B.C. The Minoans and the Mycenaeans were both powerful civilizations of the Bronze Age Aegean, and often they are through to follow one after the other. Mycenaeans Conquer the Minoans The Minoan civilization began to weaken around 1450 BC. 19. The Palace of Knossos is the most famous of the Minoan palatial centres, with its iconic bull leaping fresco and labyrinthine architecture layout. The Minoans and Mycenaeans: Civilizations of the Bronze Age Aegean T... he Minoans and the Mycenaeans were both powerful civilizations of the Bronze Age Aegean, and often they are through to follow one after the other. but some memory of their accomplishments was preserved in … The grand centres of the Minoans did not have any type of fortifications, potentially due to different threats. The Mycenaeans took over the islands of the Minoans and adopted much of the Minoan culture. civilizations flourished in the island of Crete and in mainland Greece for close to 2,000 years. Many factors, such as technology, trade, geography, art, military, government, and society, changed or continued with each civilization. and 1100 B.C. 15. Is it possible to compare ancient Greek pizza with the Italian one? Despite their similarities, they had some significant differences with the Minoans. Not much is know about the ancient Mycenaeans, but it has been discovered that their culture was very similar to that of the ancient Minoans. 26. The Peloponnesian peninsula was the place of the Mycenaeans. The Mycenaeans spoke Greek and had a written language in a syllabary called linear language B. the Minoan language is unknown. When Mycenaeans (to be more correct: Achaeans or Danaeans) arrived in Greece circa 2,000 BCE, the Minoan were already a thriving civilization. … Founder of FactPros.com 14. read more. Homer describes him as a leader of Knossos who ruled several generations before the Trojan war. Considering that the Mycenaeans borrowed many cultural elements from the Minoans, there are naturally many similarities between the two civilizations. How did the Minoans influence the Mycenaeans? The Minoans and Mycenaeans, sampled from different sites in Crete and mainland Greece, were homogeneous, supporting the genetic coherency of these two groups. 9. Your email address will not be published. In the XIV century BC, for the first time in Europe, cisterns were erected here, the scale of which is striking: at a depth of 59 feet (18 meters), there were huge barrels 16 feet (5 meters) high. There were legends of a labyrinth in a Knossos palace in which lived a monster Minotaur, who was eventually killed by the Greek hero Theseus, and the thread of his beloved Ariadne allowed him to leave the terrible labyrinth. Palaces have been found in Knossos, Fez, Malia, and elsewhere in Crete. 13. Like most ancient cities, Mycenae was a well-fortified fortress and was built on a rocky hill about 920 feet (280 meters) high. A series is being prepared for Alexander the Great by the creator of "Vikings"! Both of these civilizations played a crucial role in the appearance of trade and diplomacy in the world. The Mycenaeans and Minoans had very different tastes in pottery as the Mycenaeans went for a more simple, plain, and at times, warrior style, while the Minoans went for a more colorful, and nature like style. The Mycenaeans. Many of their accomplishments in art and architecture were unknown to the Greeks of the seventh and sixth centuries b.c.e. Knossos is an ancient city on the island of Crete, located near modern Heraklion, on the northern shore, 2.5 miles (4 km) from the sea. Many similarities and differences exist between palace complexes in the Minoan and Mycenaean state; however, this brief essay will argue that differences, as seen in art and architecture, signal that the Mycenaeans – while they did borrow from the Minoans – were a distinctively different culture. The Minoans and Mycenaeans thrived in different times in Ancient history however they actually had quite a lot of similarities which I will explain below.The Mycenaeans and the Minoans both reigned and traded in and around the Aegean Sea. 35. 33. 29. To describe these historically important civilizations broadly, I have listed 35 facts about Minoans and Mycenaeans. Before the flowering of the classic Greek architectural style in the mainland there were two important periods of development in building that had come before. The Minoan civilization existed during 3,000–1,400 BCE, before the Mycenaean Civilization (1,600–1,100 BCE), and in many ways influenced the Mycenaean arts. Opinion now swung the other way: The Mycenaeans were reinstated as the first Greeks, and Minoan objects found in mainland graves were reinterpreted as status symbols stolen or imported from the island. The Mycenaeans had fortifications so large around most of the centres which were called 'Cyclopean', with the most outstanding being at Mycenae and Tiryns. Male Gods played a secondary role. 32. Writer, Researcher, Fact-finder, and All-in-one (41) The City of Mycenae. The Minoans and Mycenaean cultures had a stratified society, although more is known about the upper classes, as they expended their wealth on buildings and tombs and left written records about their a. Considering that the Mycenaeans borrowed many cultural elements from the Minoans, there are naturally many similarities between the two civilizations. Both men and women wore long hair, but women decorated it in a particular way, styling it in curls. Standards B.12.3 Recall, select, and analyze significant historical periods and the relationships among them After the Mycenaean army conquered Crete and colonized the nearby Islands, they became the main force in the region. The most notable ritual of that culture was bull leaping, which may have been the sacred religious practice for the inhabitants of that civilization. Also, shows the importance of curvilinear design. Crete is the home to a civilization known as the Minoans. The most significant similarity between the Mycenaeans and Minoans was the development of a written language. 7. The Minoans were the first Minoans And Mycenaens. Around 1700 BC, the old palaces were destroyed by a series of earthquakes, and from 1650 BC to 1450 BC, the era of new palaces in Crete began. The Mycenaeans (Greek people) on islands and the mainland of Europe to the north had seen the grandeur of Crete. They were governed by King Agamemnon, the ruler that won theTrojan War. 3. Not much is know about the ancient Mycenaeans, but it has been discovered that their culture was very similar to that of the ancient Minoans. In the city of Mycenae, several graves and a Golden funeral mask were discovered, which covered the face of king Agamemnon. Archaeological excavations conf… Judging by the fine art of the Minoans, they were elegant and cheerful people. Loves nature, Likes history, and Adores anything interesting Although they thrived in different parts of Greece, the Aegean Sea was both of their trading roots. 20. Minoans characterized the bull as a symbol of strength, fertility, and protection. DNA analysis has revealed that two ancient civilisations in Greece were related and shared common ancestors that travelled from modern day Turkey. Minoan art frequently shows peaceful scenes of floral or marine subject matter, while the art of the Mycenaeans celebrates things such as chariots and combat. Homer was not a historian, but a poet, and it was believed that wars, big cities, and heroes were entirely a figment of his imagination. 1. 1. Both Minoans and Mycenaeans buried their dead in circular structures, known as tholoi. -Mycenaean. The ruins of Mycenae are located on the Peloponnese Peninsula, on the eastern side of a rocky ridge, 1.2 miles (2 km) from the small town of Mycenae, 56 miles (90 km) south-west of the Greek capital, Athens, 20 miles (32 km) north of the Argolikos Bay. Enemies often besieged the city of Mycenae, and an effective defense required a large supply of water. They built a culture that lasted for the generations to come. Minoan and Mycenaean Civilizations: The Minoan civilization was based on the island of Crete and flourished between 2000 to 1450 BCE. This is what it sounded like 1500 years ago! In 1950, however, scholars finally deciphered Linear B tablets from Knossos and Pylos and showed the writing to be the earliest known form of Greek. 11. One of the major similarities is that they both liked spending their wealth through gold and stylish palaces and very extravagant pieces of equipment. The Minoans and Mycenaean cultures had a stratified society, although more is known about the upper classes, as they expended their wealth on buildings and tombs and left written records about their a. How did the Mayan Civilization Disappear? More on Minoan and Mycenaean Cultures. Due to additional evidence from Minoan artwork, researchers also conclude that women functioned in high-level roles in that society, perhaps even as priestesses, but there are no correlating artistic representations in Mycenaean material culture i… Their civilization took much of the Minoan culture. The urban community consisted of the upper class (which included the Royal family, nobles, and priests), the middle class, and slaves. 2. Researchers suggest such a decline took place either because of the conquest of Greece by Dorian tribes, or internal conflicts. Scientists believe that … Minoans vs Mycenaens Objective: To be able to describe the geography of the 2 cultures. It covers about 150,000 square feet (14,000 square meters) area and has more than a thousand rooms and halls for various purposes. and Mycenaean (c. 2800–1100 b.c.e.) Minoan and Mycenaean … He discovered the city at the place where Homer placed Troy. (video), The myth collapsed: in spite of Herodotus beliefs, the pyramids were not built by slaves. 34. Also the Mycenaeans seemed to take the horse as their sacred animal whereas the Minoans worshipped the bull. The Mycenaean society reached glory after the Minoans lost their civilization to either a volcano or an earthquake or an unknown reason. – 10 Possible Causes, 12 Things Carpenter Ants Do to Ensure their Survival, 15 Interesting Facts about Golden Retrievers. Their hieroglyphic alphabet has been preserved on the Phaistos disk, but none of them has been deciphered. When they overtook the Minoan... See full answer below. Their numerous merchant fleets went to trading voyages with valuable goods such as ceramics, metal products, wine, olive oil, and they exchanged them abroad for copper, tin, ivory, and gold. Minoan civilization from the island of Crete and the Mycenaean from the South of mainland Greece were two of the first European civilizations. The Minoans and the Mycenaeans were both powerful civilizations of the Bronze Age Aegean, and often they are through to follow one after the other.However, this comparison video will detail through some of the similarities and differences between the Minoans and Mycenaeans, and the transmission of culture, practices and art which occurred between the two groups. Minoan culture achieved great success, but by 1450 BC, the Mycenaeans, so-called after the city of Mycenae, where traces of their culture were first discovered, invaded Crete. They had a preference with trading with each other, and the Mycenaeans chose to be buried with a great number of Mycenaean crafts, and adopted many of their iconographic motifs. 24. The Minoans considered themselves a sea people. The Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations worshiped female deities who represented the serpent goddess, the sea goddess and the cave goddess who assisted in childbirth. A similarity between the Minoans and the Mycenaeans is that they both dominated their regions at the same time. 6. Arthur Evans an archaeologist, discovered Cretan civilization, named it Minoan after its legendary King Minos. There is no doubt that the similarities between the Minoans and Mycenaeans are extensive, mostly because of their close proximity that allowed the Minoans to influence the Mycenaeans so much. Takes its name from the stirrup shaped handles on the top of the jar. 16. Minoan civilization flourished between 3000 B.C. Schliemann also discovered the Mycenaean site in 1876. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. They adapted the writing of the Minoans to their own language. Unlike the Minoans, the Mycenaeans became the heroes of Homer’s poems-the the Achaeans who conquered Troy. RELATED ARTICLE: 5 Interesting Facts behind Asclepius: The Greek God of Medicine Minoans built their tholoi above ground, with small doors and round tomb chambers. 25 Facts about Watermelons that You May Have Never Heard Before. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. There was a fusion of cultures between the Minoan culture with Helladic culture of mainland Greece, which evolved into Mycenaean civilization. Geneticists found that both the Minoans and Mycenaeans were genetically similar to the Neolithic inhabitants of Anatolia and people from the East: the Caucasus and the territory of modern-day Iran. 31. Study results show that Minoans and Mycenaeans were genetically highly similar - but not identical - and that modern Greeks descend from these populations. 4. Yet the Mycenaeans went one step further, engaging frequently in piracy. Lion Gate is the main attraction of the Greek Mycenae, which met all travelers who came to the city. 21. However, about 1200-1100 BC the Mycenaean civilization went into decline. 28. Evidence suggests that the Minoans disappeared so suddenly due to a powerful volcanic eruption on the Islands of Santorini. Standards B.12.3 Recall, select, and analyze significant historical periods and the relationships among them Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Mycenaeans Conquer the Minoans The Minoan civilization began to weaken around 1450 BC. on 35 Historical Fact about Minoans and Mycenaeans, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), The Biggest Whale in the World – Interesting Information about Blue Whales. The Minoan and Mycenaean era was very rich in interesting inventions and riddles. Minoan and Mycenaean Civilization comparison Goals/Objectives Students will be able to compare and describe similarities and differences in the ways various cultures define individual rights and responsibilities. The Mycenaeans took over the islands of the Minoans and adopted much of the Minoan culture. Ancient DNA analysis reveals Minoan and Mycenaean origins AN ANALYSIS of ancient DNA has revealed that Ancient Minoans and Mycenaens were genetically similar with both peoples descending from early Neolithic farmers. The Minoans was a naval civilization and the Mycenaean were a land civilization and the Minoans DID NOT have fortresses. Both the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations produced pottery and bronze objects. Mycenaeans lived in small towns in Greece and were very militant. It was the main city of the island during the Minoan civilization. Minoans and Mycenaeans were inhabitants of the early European civilizations that emerged in Greece. Archeologists believe that it was the first highly developed civilization in Europe. 25. The prominence of the bull at Knossos links it to the mythological story of Theseus, King Minos, Ariadne and the Minotaur. The differences between Minoan and Mycenaean artwork generally elaborate this theme even further. 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