Minoan Culture
Minoan Study
The Minoans
The Minoans are regarded as standing at the very beginning of European civilisation. They were regarded as being a people of magnificent social organization, culture, art and commerce. They thrived on their mercantile abilities and favoured "intense commercial activity". Their society was based on sea power and seaborne trade with evidence of links to Egypt, Syria, Sicily and Spain.
Evidence suggests they were orientated toward trade and bureaucracy rather than military forces or the structure of a military state. This came later with the Mycenaeans, whose society was oriented around a war chief and focused on a culture of battle and conquest. This may have had something to do with the eventual downfall of the Minoan civilisation. Bureaucracy over 200 records have been found written in Linear A script on clay tablets. This information seems to be relating to accounts
Societal Structure
It appears during the Prepalatial period that there was little or no hierarchy in society and that it was largely decentralized. (Not having a central figure, i.e. a King). The theory regarding hierarchy has largely been placed on the burial practices of the …show more content…
External influence was also established at this time with evidence of Minoan influence on Thera. The first palaces were founded which acted as centres for their respective communities. They developed a bureaucratic administrative system which permeated society. Distinctions between the classes led then to a social hierarchy. The palaces were destroyed by Earthquakes in 1700BC and grander palaces replaced them. Knossos, Phaestos, Malia and Zakros were built as well as many smaller palaces. Villas appeared in more rural areas, and were similar in design to the palaces. These served as lesser centres of power and homes for affluent
The Minoans
The Minoans are regarded as standing at the very beginning of European civilisation. They were regarded as being a people of magnificent social organization, culture, art and commerce. They thrived on their mercantile abilities and favoured "intense commercial activity". Their society was based on sea power and seaborne trade with evidence of links to Egypt, Syria, Sicily and Spain.
Evidence suggests they were orientated toward trade and bureaucracy rather than military forces or the structure of a military state. This came later with the Mycenaeans, whose society was oriented around a war chief and focused on a culture of battle and conquest. This may have had something to do with the eventual downfall of the Minoan civilisation. Bureaucracy over 200 records have been found written in Linear A script on clay tablets. This information seems to be relating to accounts
Societal Structure
It appears during the Prepalatial period that there was little or no hierarchy in society and that it was largely decentralized. (Not having a central figure, i.e. a King). The theory regarding hierarchy has largely been placed on the burial practices of the …show more content…
External influence was also established at this time with evidence of Minoan influence on Thera. The first palaces were founded which acted as centres for their respective communities. They developed a bureaucratic administrative system which permeated society. Distinctions between the classes led then to a social hierarchy. The palaces were destroyed by Earthquakes in 1700BC and grander palaces replaced them. Knossos, Phaestos, Malia and Zakros were built as well as many smaller palaces. Villas appeared in more rural areas, and were similar in design to the palaces. These served as lesser centres of power and homes for affluent