EVENTS
- The oldest signs of inhabitants on Crete are neolithic Anatolians, who arrived around 6000-6500 years BC.
- The beginning of the Bronze Age around 3100 BC is a period of great unrest in Crete, but it also marks the beginning of Crete as an important center of civilization.
- Around 1700 BC there is a large disturbance in Crete, probably by an earthquake, although an invasion from Turkey has also been suggested.
- After that the population rose again, and the palaces were rebuilt, even larger than before.
- Around 1650 BC, the eruption of the volcanic island Thera caused a tsunami which destroyed installations near the coasts
- The sulphur dioxide emitted by the volcano also caused a decline in temperature, which resulted in poor harvests for several years
- Some archeologists think that the Minoans lost their religious faith in the ability of the priests to control nature.
- Around 1450, the palaces were again disturbed
- Some time later, around 1420 BC, the island was conquered by the Mycenaeans.
- After this, most Cretan cities and palaces went into decline; Knossos remained until 1200 BC.
LEADERS
- The civilization is named after King Minos, who in Greek mythology was said to be the King of Crete.
- Some believe that Minos either figuratively represents the civilization or is a dynastic name
- Not much is known about the leaders of Minoan Greek
EVENTS
- The oldest signs of inhabitants on Crete are neolithic Anatolians, who arrived around 6000-6500 years BC.
- The beginning of the Bronze Age around 3100 BC is a period of great unrest in Crete, but it also marks the beginning of Crete as an important center of civilization.
- Around 1700 BC there is a large disturbance in Crete, probably by an earthquake, although an invasion from Turkey has also been suggested.
- After that the population rose again, and the palaces were rebuilt, even larger than before.
- Around 1650 BC, the eruption of the volcanic island Thera caused a tsunami which destroyed installations near the coasts
- The sulphur dioxide emitted by the volcano also caused a decline in temperature, which resulted in poor harvests for several years
-
- Around 1450, the palaces were again disturbed
- Some time later, around 1420 BC, the island was conquered by the Mycenaeans.
- After this, most Cretan cities and palaces went into decline; Knossos remained until 1200 BC.
LEADERS
- The civilization is named after King Minos, who in Greek mythology was said to be the King of Crete.
- Some believe that Minos either figuratively represents the civilization or is a dynastic name
- Not much is known about the leaders of Minoan Greek
Cadogan, Gerald and Clarke, Pat "Palaces of Minoan Crete" Routledge 1991 18 April 2009
Minoan Crete 18 April 2009 http://knowledgerush.com/kr/encyclopedia/Minoan_Crete/
http://danielallegrucci.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/minotaur.jpg
Back to Notes