Minoans
Ancient Crete dwellers
The Minoans were a Bronze Age civilization centered on the island of Crete, flourishing roughly 2000–1450 BCE.
Named by archaeologists after the legendary King Minos, they built elaborate palace complexes at Knossos and other sites, developed a writing system (Linear A, still undeciphered), and produced distinctive art featuring bulls, dolphins, and bare-breasted women.
The civilization collapsed suddenly, possibly from volcanic eruption, invasion, or both.
Largest Greek island
- KnossosAncient Cretan city
- palaceMonarch's official residence
- Bronze AgeEarly metalworking civilization period
- labyrinthIntricate passage network
frescoes · Malia · Santorini · Cyclades · Mediterranean · city-state · bureaucracy · archives
Monarch's official residence
- KnossosAncient Cretan city
- MaliaFeminine given name
- central courtPrimary venue for matches
- magazinesPeriodic illustrated publications
storage · light well · drainage · plumbing · columns · tapered · fresco · throne room
Intricate passage network
- TheseusAthenian hero, beast-slayer
- AriadneMythical thread-giver
- DaedalusLegendary craftsman and inventor
- IcarusMythical overreacher who fell
bull · Europa · Zeus · Poseidon · sacrifice · tribute · Athens · thread
Paintings on fresh plaster
- potteryFired clay objects
- dolphinsSmart aquatic mammals
- octopusEight-limbed sea mollusk
- snake goddessFemale deity associated with serpents
faience · goldwork · naturalism · floral motifs · procession · griffins · lilies · boxers
Traveling by ocean vessel
- copperReddish-brown metallic element
- tinElement fifty, Sn
- bronzeCopper-tin alloy
- EgyptNortheastern African nation
Levant · maritime · merchants · ships · harbors · saffron · olive oil · wine
Female deity associated with serpents
- double axeTwo-bladed cutting implement
- libationCeremonial drink offering
- priestessFemale religious officiant
- ritualCeremonial set of actions
sacrifice · fertility · mother goddess · sacred tree · offering · shrine · votives
Crete
Largest Greek island
- KnossosAncient Cretan city
- palaceMonarch's official residence
- Bronze AgeEarly metalworking civilization period
labyrinth · frescoes · Malia · Santorini · Cyclades · Mediterranean · city-state · bureaucracy · archives
palace
Monarch's official residence
- KnossosAncient Cretan city
- MaliaFeminine given name
- central courtPrimary venue for matches
magazines · storage · light well · drainage · plumbing · columns · tapered · fresco · throne room · grand staircase
labyrinth
Intricate passage network
- TheseusAthenian hero, beast-slayer
- AriadneMythical thread-giver
- DaedalusLegendary craftsman and inventor
Icarus · bull · Europa · Zeus · Poseidon · sacrifice · tribute · Athens · thread · maze
frescoes
Paintings on fresh plaster
snake goddess · faience · goldwork · naturalism · floral motifs · procession · griffins · lilies · boxers · ivory
seafaring
Traveling by ocean vessel
Egypt · Levant · maritime · merchants · ships · harbors · saffron · olive oil · wine · pottery
snake goddess
Female deity associated with serpents
- double axeTwo-bladed cutting implement
- libationCeremonial drink offering
- priestessFemale religious officiant
ritual · sacrifice · fertility · mother goddess · sacred tree · offering · shrine · votives
MinoansMycenaeans
Bronze Age Greek civilization
Spartans · Assyrians · Hittites · Egyptians · Babylonians