What are some unique features of the Palace of Knossos?

The palace of Knossos was the center of administration of the entire island during Minoan times, and its position as such allowed for unprecedented growth and prosperity as witnessed by the plethora of storage magazines, workshops, and wall paintings.

Why is the palace of Knossos unusual?

In Greek mythology, King Minos dwelt in a palace at Knossos. He had Daedalus construct a labyrinth, a very large maze (by some connected with the double-bladed axe, or labrys) in which to retain his son, the Minotaur. Daedalus also built a dancing floor for Queen Ariadne.

What is the historical significance of the palace at Knossos?

The Palace of Knossos was the most important of the palaces on Crete, and the seat of the first king among equals of the island, Minos, whose name has been given to the whole of the 3rd and 2nd c. BC Minoan civilization. The Palace, like the others in Crete, was built soon after 2000 BC and destroyed in about 1700 BC.

What is unusual about the columns at the Palace of Knossos?

During a tour of Knossos Palace you can discover a lot about the Minoan civilization. You’ll see that they built their columns to taper at the bottom, instead of at the top like other Greek columns. This is because the columns were made from Cyprus trees turned upside down.

What happened to the Palace of Knossos?

The city of Knossos, and almost every other community centre on Crete, was destroyed by a combination of earthquake and the invading Mycenaeans c. 1450 BCE with only the palace spared. The eruption of the volcano on the nearby island of Thera (Santorini) in c.

Who did the Minoans trade with and what did they trade?

They traded with Egypt, Anatolia, Mesopotamia, Greece and Spain. Minoan objects have been found in all these locations. The Minoans lived in undefended coastal cities and had a large fleet which ensured their security and made up their trading empire.

Who were the Minoans enemies?

Minoans and Mycenaeans

• The Minoans and the Mycenaeans were the two groups of people that lived in Greece before the ancient Greeks themselves.
• The Minoans lived on the smaller islands and had a center on Crete.
• The Mycenaeans lived on mainland Greece and eventually defeated the Minoans and took over their land.
• The Minoans came first.

What animal is most strongly associated with Minoan culture?

The sacrifice of the bull, and games like the “taurokatharpsia” that revolved around the animal, were central part of the Minoan religious festivals, symbolizing perhaps man’s interaction with powerful natural elements, and ultimately his triumph over them through skill and power.

Why do we believe that the Minoans were a peaceful society?

What evidence was found that led people to believe that the Minoans were a very peaceful society? The fact that they didn’t build walls around their cities led people to believe they were a peaceful society.

What did the excavations reveal about Minoan culture?

Excavations at Knossos revealed that the Minoans had a very lively, cultural, and peaceful life, loved sports, and has religions in which sacrifice played an important role.

What might have caused the collapse of Minoan culture?

Archaeologists have now enough evidence to believe that the reputed Minoan Civilization was severely damaged and affected by the eruption of Santorini Volcano, which destroyed their fleet. It is estimated that the palaces of the Minoan Civilization were destroyed almost 150 years after the volcanic eruption.

Which body of water did the Minoans and Phoenicians trade in?

The Minoans and Phoenicians established maritime routes to spread trade across the Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean Sea.

What did the Phoenicians settle and trade?

The Phoenicians’ most important city-states in the eastern Mediterranean were Sidon and Tyre, both known for their production of red-purple dye, and Byblos, a trading center for papyrus. (See map on page 59.) Phoenicians built colonies along the north- ern coast of Africa and the coasts of Sicily, Sardinia, and Spain.