HISTORYARTISTIC & CULTURAL LEGACIES1700–1550 BC
Santorini erupts with
a cataclysmic volcanic
explosion, causing a
Mediterranean-wide
tsunami that scholars
suggest contributed
to the destruction of
Minoan civilisation.1500–
BC
The authoritarian
Mycenaean culture
from the Peloponnese
usurps much of the
Cretan and Cycladic
cultures. Goldsmithing
is a predominant
feature of Mycenaean
life.1400 BC
The Mycenaeans
colonise Crete, building
cities such as Kydonia
(Hania) and Polyrrinia.
Weapons manufacture
fl ourishes; fi ne arts
fall into decline. Greek
gods replace worship
of the Mother Goddess.1200–800 BC
The Dorians herald
400 years of obscurity
in terms of international
trade, but excel in the
use of iron weaponry and
ironwork in archi-
tecture, and develop
striking geometric
designs on pottery.introduced the processing of bronze into Greece and from there began
three remarkable civilisations: Cycladic, Minoan and Mycenaean.
Artistic & Cultural Legacies
Ancient Civilisations
Cycladic Civilisation
The Cycladic civilisation was a cluster of fi shing and farming island com-
munities with a sophisticated artistic temperament. The most striking
legacy of this civilisation is the carving of the statuettes from Parian mar-
ble – the famous Cycladic fi gurines. Cycladic sculptors are also renowned
for their impressive, life-sized kouroii (marble statues), carved during the
Archaic period.
Minoan Civilisation
Named after King Minos, the mythical ruler of Crete (and stepfather
of the Minotaur) – the Minoans were Europe’s fi rst advanced civilisa-
tion. Around 1900 BC the splendid complex of Knossos was fi rst built
(allegedly by Icarus’ father, Daedalus), its frescoes, ventilation shafts,
sewerage systems and ambitious designs marking an abrupt accel-
eration from neolithic life. Through their use of bronze the Minoans
were able to build great sea vessels establishing a formidable profi le as
sailors and traders, whose reach extended across Asia Minor and
North Africa.
The jury is out on what happened to trigger the demise of this great
civilisation. Was it the tsunami and ash fallout caused by the volcanic
eruption in Thira, Santorini in 1500 BC? Or perhaps the invading force
of Mycenae?
Mycenaean Civilisation
The decline of the Minoan civilisation coincided with the rise of Myc-
enae (1600–1100 BC), which reached its peak between 1500 and 1200
BC with mainland city-states like Corinth, Tiryns (where Heracles
was forced to report to collect his famous labours) and Mycenae.
Warrior kings who measured their wealth in weapons, now ruled from
imposing palaces heavily fortifi ed upon hills. The interiors featured
impressive frescoes, and commercial transactions were documented on
tablets in Linear B (a form of Greek language 500 years older than the
Ionic Greek used by Homer). The Mycenaean’s most impressive legacy
is their magnifi cent gold masks, refi ned jewellery and metal ornaments,
the best of which are in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.
Scholars divide
the Cycladic civi-
lisation into three
periods: Early
(3000–2000 BC),
Middle
(2000–1500 BC)
and Late
(1500–1100 BC).