Question

short note on minoan culture

Answer 1

The Minoan civilization was a Bronze AgeAegean civilization on the island of Crete and other Aegean Islands which flourished from c. 2700 to c. 1450 BC, before a late period of decline, finally ending around 1100 BC. It preceded and was absorbed by theMycenaean civilization of ancient Greece.[1]The civilization was rediscovered at the beginning of the 20th century through the work of British archaeologist Arthur Evans. The name "Minoan" derives from the mythicalKing Minos and was coined by Evans, who identified the site at Knossos with thelabyrinth and the Minotaur. The Minoan civilization has been described as the earliest of its kind in Europe,[2] with historian Will Durant calling the Minoans "the first link in the European chain".[3]

The Minoan civilization is particularly notable for its large and elaborate palaces, some of which were up to four stories high, featured elaborate plumbing systems and were decorated with frescoes. The most notable Minoan palace is that of Knossos, followed by that of Phaistos. The Minoan period saw extensive trade between Crete, Aegean and Mediterranean settlements, particularly the Near East. Through their traders and artists, the Minoans' cultural influence reached beyond Crete to the Cyclades, the Old Kingdom of Egypt, copper-bearing Cyprus,Canaan and the Levantine coast and Anatolia. Some of the best Minoan art is preserved in the city of Akrotiri on the island of Santorini, which was destroyed by the Minoan eruption

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Answer 2

Minoan, Any member of a non-Indo-European people who flourished (c.3000–c. 1100 BC) on the island of Crete during the Bronze Age. 


Their sophisticated culture, based at Knossos, was named for the legendary King Minos. It represented the first high civilization in the Aegean area. The Minoans exerted great influence on the Mycenaeanculture of the Greek islands and mainland. Minoan culture reached its peak c. 1600 BC and was noted for its cities and palaces, extended trade contacts, and use of writing (seeLinear A and Linear B). Its art included elaborate seals, pottery, and, notably, the vibrant frescoes decorating palace walls, which depicted both religious and secularscenes, including goddesses reflective of a matriarchal religion. Palace ruins show evidence of paved streets and piped water. Familiar Minoan art motifs are the snake (symbol of the goddess) and the bull and leaping dancer, also of mystical significance.