Ancient Crete
Encyclopedia
The term Ancient Crete refers to the civilization that existed on the island of Crete
, just south of Greece
, in the Mediterranean Sea
. From around 3000–1100 B.C., inhabitants known as Minoans controlled the island of Crete and ruled the island autonomously. Despite the fact the Minoans were able to rise to a position of political and economic dominance during this time, their civilization and subsequent control over Crete was destroyed by an unknown natural disaster. It is from this period onward that Crete began to fall under the control of the near-by Greek city-states and eventually the Roman Empire.
runs approximately 260 km in length from East to West and at its widest points in the center extends about 60 km in width. Crete is set in a region of the Mediterranean that is geologically unstable, and thus the island has been affected by countless earthquakes which have caused drastic shifts in the terrain and left many of its ancient cities in ruins. Findings of submerged cities and houses during archaeological diving expeditions just off the coast of Crete have allowed modern historians to assume that the Mediterranean Sea has actually risen since the time of the Minoans. The island is dominated by a mountain range known as the White Mountains
which contain some peaks that reach approximately 2500 m in height.
. Much of what modern historians know about the Minoans comes from Linear B
which was discovered at the palace of Knossos
. The tablet was translated and contained lists of inventory that is assumed to have been stored in the palace. Since the period when the Mycenaeans first inhabited the island of Crete they were ruled by a monarchy. The central or capital city of Crete appears to have been located at Knossos and remained there throughout the entire existence of Ancient Cretan society. It is unclear as to what type of taxes were paid by the surrounding villagers to the crown, yet it is most likely that these people paid in tribute by providing goods and manufactured products. As stated earlier in the article the Mycenaeans did participate heavily in Mediterranean trade. Though many resources were available for the Mycenaeans on the island of Crete, there was always a constant demand for olive oil and grain (such as wheat) which were found inland on nearby Greece.
. Like in the worship of Greek mythology, the practice of both supplication and sacrifice seem to be prevalent in the Mycenaean cults. Most temple remains contain altars and statues where both of these procedures could be performed. Any actual mythological stories or true beliefs within the Cretan religion remain a mystery to most historians. This is due to the lack in archaeological remains which were so crucial to understanding both Greek and Roman mythology.
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
, just south of Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, in the Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
. From around 3000–1100 B.C., inhabitants known as Minoans controlled the island of Crete and ruled the island autonomously. Despite the fact the Minoans were able to rise to a position of political and economic dominance during this time, their civilization and subsequent control over Crete was destroyed by an unknown natural disaster. It is from this period onward that Crete began to fall under the control of the near-by Greek city-states and eventually the Roman Empire.
Geography
The island of CreteCrete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
runs approximately 260 km in length from East to West and at its widest points in the center extends about 60 km in width. Crete is set in a region of the Mediterranean that is geologically unstable, and thus the island has been affected by countless earthquakes which have caused drastic shifts in the terrain and left many of its ancient cities in ruins. Findings of submerged cities and houses during archaeological diving expeditions just off the coast of Crete have allowed modern historians to assume that the Mediterranean Sea has actually risen since the time of the Minoans. The island is dominated by a mountain range known as the White Mountains
Lefka Ori
Lefka Ori or Madares is a mountain range located in Western Crete, in the Chania prefecture. The White Mountains or Lefka Ori occupy a good part of the centre of West Crete and are the main feature of the region...
which contain some peaks that reach approximately 2500 m in height.
Society
The Cretans are formally referred to as Minoans and formed what is considered as a civilized society around 2100 B.C. during the early years of the Bronze AgeBronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
. Much of what modern historians know about the Minoans comes from Linear B
Linear B
Linear B is a syllabic script that was used for writing Mycenaean Greek, an early form of Greek. It pre-dated the Greek alphabet by several centuries and seems to have died out with the fall of Mycenaean civilization...
which was discovered at the palace of Knossos
Knossos
Knossos , also known as Labyrinth, or Knossos Palace, is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and probably the ceremonial and political centre of the Minoan civilization and culture. The palace appears as a maze of workrooms, living spaces, and store rooms close to a central square...
. The tablet was translated and contained lists of inventory that is assumed to have been stored in the palace. Since the period when the Mycenaeans first inhabited the island of Crete they were ruled by a monarchy. The central or capital city of Crete appears to have been located at Knossos and remained there throughout the entire existence of Ancient Cretan society. It is unclear as to what type of taxes were paid by the surrounding villagers to the crown, yet it is most likely that these people paid in tribute by providing goods and manufactured products. As stated earlier in the article the Mycenaeans did participate heavily in Mediterranean trade. Though many resources were available for the Mycenaeans on the island of Crete, there was always a constant demand for olive oil and grain (such as wheat) which were found inland on nearby Greece.
Religion
Evidence that the Mycenaeans had a set polytheistic religion is plentiful throughout several architectural remains on Crete. Figurines have been found throughout the hundreds of cult based temples on the island. These figurines depict the Ancient Cretan Gods and strongly resemble the familiar gods depicted in Greek MythologyGreek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
. Like in the worship of Greek mythology, the practice of both supplication and sacrifice seem to be prevalent in the Mycenaean cults. Most temple remains contain altars and statues where both of these procedures could be performed. Any actual mythological stories or true beliefs within the Cretan religion remain a mystery to most historians. This is due to the lack in archaeological remains which were so crucial to understanding both Greek and Roman mythology.