The Civilization of Minos

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31 Jan 2024

The Civilization of Minos: A Glimpse into Europe's Earliest Advanced Civilization

As Greece experienced its first Bronze Age, a more advanced culture began to emerge on the fertile island of Crete to the south, known as the Minoan Civilization. Recognized by historians for influencing the later Mycenaean civilization socio-culturally and playing a crucial role as a carrier between Eastern and Western cultures, the Minoan Civilization is acknowledged as the first advanced civilization in European history. Therefore, it holds a significant place in Greek history, although the people involved in this civilization differ from the later recognized Ancient Greeks.

The roots of this civilization trace back to the Neolithic period. While the island's first inhabitants can be traced back to as early as 12,000 BCE in the Paleolithic era, it was likely migrants from Anatolia around 6,000 BCE who brought Neolithic culture to the island. The early interactions with Eastern cultures during this period played a crucial role in the subsequent high civilization of the Cretan people, who engaged in agriculture, animal husbandry, and fishing during the Neolithic era.

Moreover, early trade relations might have started with Anatolia and the Cycladic islands. The Neolithic culture on the island evolved into the Chalcolithic culture, especially around 3600 BCE. The transition to the Bronze Age occurred around 3000 BCE. Sir Arthur Evans, who conducted excavations on the island, named the Bronze Age civilization after the legendary king of the island, calling it the "Minoan Civilization." Recognized for its socio-cultural influence on the subsequent Achaean (Mycenaean) civilization and its role as a carrier between Eastern and Western cultures, the Minoan Civilization is acknowledged as the first advanced civilization in European history.

Emergence of Palaces

The culture during the Early Minoan Period, up to approximately 2100 BCE, marked the growth of settlements and the emergence of the first cities. With the advent of cities, the egalitarian clan system of village life began to break down, leading to the formation of the first hierarchies and elite classes. During this period, the first examples of the magnificent palaces, which would later become splendid, were also emerging. By the end of the 3rd millennium BCE, with the development of bronze casting techniques and the introduction of long ships, Crete engaged in extensive trade with civilizations around the Mediterranean, especially with Egypt, marking the beginning of the Middle Minoan Period from around 2100 BCE. Following this period, centralized administrations strengthened, leading to the construction of large palaces in cities such as Knossos on the north coast, Zakro, Mallia, and Phaistos.

In later times, the famous Labyrinth Legend narrated among ancient Greeks is based on these palaces. These structures, predominantly constructed from stone, featured high-quality wooden floors, ceilings, and doors. The palace designs were well-lit and ventilated, equipped with advanced sewage systems. In addition to the central residences for the king and the dynasty, these magnificent structures housed hundreds of rooms for storing provisions from all parts of the kingdom and conducting various administrative and economic activities.

Natural Disasters

Each palace had a king, accompanied by a wealthy aristocratic class. Around 1900 BCE, the king of Knossos, extending his rule over other palaces, unified Crete under a single administration. However, around 1700 BCE, difficulties arose in Crete. The palaces were destroyed, either due to a massive earthquake or an invasion from Anatolia. (First Palace Period - 1900-1700 BCE). Yet, this hardship did not last long, and palaces were immediately reconstructed in a larger and more detailed manner.

Minoan Civilization and the Importance of Trade

The impact of the Minoan Civilization is evident, especially in the handcrafted artifacts found in the Mycenaean city established in the northeastern region of the Peloponnese Peninsula in Greece. Archaeological findings dating back to around 1600 BCE indicate trade relations between Crete and this region, contributing significantly to the advanced civilization in Mycenae. The Minoan Civilization also maintained commercial relations with Egypt during this period.

Minos ceramics and reliefs found in cities in the delta region of Egypt suggest that Cretans were present there as merchants and mercenaries from around 1900 BCE. Pictographic writing consisting of pictures and later, from the 17th century BCE onwards, the Linear A script found in the palaces of Crete, likely inspired by Egyptian hieroglyphs, and later the syllabic Linear B script developed in the next two centuries, indicate probable interactions with Egypt.

This advanced civilization faced another setback around 1400 BCE, with a severe earthquake causing significant damage. Recognizing the opportunity, the Mycenaeans, dominant in Crete around the 1370s BCE, did not eliminate the civilization on the island but rather adopted it. Inspired by the Linear A script used in Minos, they created the first Greek script known as Linear B. This script, especially found on tablets, emerged around 1370 BCE in Crete and cities like Mycenae and Pylos in Greece, the centers of Mycenaean culture.

Minoan Civilization and Culture

Considered the dawn of European civilization, the Minoan Civilization holds particular importance for its influence on the early Greeks, the Mycenaean (Achaean) Civilization. Additionally, being located at a central point among the surrounding Mediterranean civilizations allowed the Minoan Civilization to establish relations with advanced Near Eastern cultures from the Early Bronze Age onwards.

The Cretans were primarily seafaring traders. However, this trade was not private but rather under the control of the state. Agricultural and animal products, as well as craft goods such as bronze, pottery, and ceramics produced by workers around the cities, were collected in the palaces. These goods were then organized and counted, with a portion used for the kingdom and the rest sold to states beyond the sea. Engaging in overseas trade early on, the Cretans had developed a strong navy. Besides traveling to the coasts of the Eastern Mediterranean, they ventured as far as the Iberian Peninsula (Spain), obtaining minerals such as copper and tin.

By bringing these resources to the island, they transformed bronze in the bronze-smelting facilities, selling the finished products to neighboring civilizations. This flourishing economic activity allowed the civilization to create beautiful and detailed cities around the palaces. However, unlike other civilizations, they did not surround their palaces and cities with walls, indicating a strong central authority and peaceful coexistence among the cities.

This authority was granted to kings, referred to as Minos, a title similar to the pharaohs in Egypt. In this hierarchical order, with the king at the top, a vast cadre of officials assisted the king. According to the seals discovered, each had specific duties within the palace, and all officials had their own rooms within the palace.

Art

The walls of these rooms in the palace were adorned with beautifully painted plaster, depicting daily life and religious ceremonies. These detailed paintings, providing insights into various aspects of the Minoan Civilization, showcased perspectives. Monumental works were not created in sculpture, but high-value figurines such as the "Snake Goddess" were made. Other products of Minoan art included seal engraving, jewelry making, and craftsmanship in stone, metal, and ivory. The "Parisian Woman" fresco, for instance, is a beautiful example illustrating the clothing, appearance, and makeup of women during that era.

Moreover, the paintings revealed a unique aspect not found in other contemporary civilizations: the active participation of Cretan women in societal life. Women in the paintings wore garments made of quality fabrics, had hairstyles and makeup resembling modern fashion, and participated in various events, religious ceremonies, and festivals alongside men, engaging in various occupations. Cretan women during this period differed significantly from later Greek women who led more secluded lives.

Writing

An in-depth look at Minoan writing reveals the use of two types of scripts. Pictographic writing, which started around 1900 BCE and consisted of images, and the Linear A script, developed around the 1600s BCE as a type of linear writing found in Cretan palaces. The Achaeans adapted the Linear A script used in Minos to their language, creating the first Greek writing known as Linear B. Particularly, the Linear B writing, dated from the 1450s BCE, was found only in Knossos on Crete. In contrast, numerous tablets with this script were discovered in Achaean centers in Greece, such as Mycenae and Pylos, from around 1450 BCE.

Religion

As suggested by paintings and archaeological findings, the Cretans built open-air temples on high mountain peaks or expansive areas within cities. Around these altars, they organized various sacred ceremonies, including a kind of acrobatic game performed skillfully by male and female acrobats jumping over bulls, presumably part of a religious ceremony. Additionally, the Cretans had a multi-deity pantheon, with an emphasis on a main goddess, a feature uncommon in other Indo-European cultures. The depictions of the main goddess on Cretan seals serve as evidence of the influence of matriarchal views in Cretan religion.

Warfare

Though not extensively found in archaeological remains, weapon findings in Cretan graves suggest the importance of warriors. From around 1500 BCE onwards, Cretans appear to have had war chariots similar to those existing in other contemporary civilizations, and evidence indicates the presence of a naval force. It is highly likely that they established dominance over the islands in the Aegean Basin and the city of Miletus in western Anatolia with these military units before the Mycenaeans.

Architecture

The most prominent works of Cretan architecture are the palaces. Excavations conducted by Sir Arthur Evans at Knossos provided insights into Cretan palace architecture and art. The palaces were generally two-storied, multi-roomed, and had courtyards. Additionally, there were spaces like workshops, and the structures had a complex layout.

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