During what is today known as the "Bronze Age",
two distinct, vibrant cultures emerged in Greece: the Mycenaean and Minoan.
Yet although they were distinct, they were also very similar, and while this
might seem like an oxymoron, it is – to this writer's mind – the most accurate
way of describing their atypical association.
The first, and perhaps most obvious, difference was their
physical location: the Minoans dwelt on the island of Crete,
while the Minoans were inhabitants of the Grecian mainland. Because of this, the
Minoans constructed their society around trade and diplomacy by way of the sea.
They would trade their own pottery, cloth, and other wares for items like wood,
stone, or metals that couldn't normally be found on the island; or in some
cases, would present the finest specimens of their wares as gifts to foreign
powers such as Egypt.
The Mycenaeans also held this philosophy to a degree, and presented the pharaoh
of Egypt
with ceremonial plaques signifying friendship. (Goessl, 2008)
One of the most evident differences between the two
cultures was their stance on war and the military. The Minoans were blissfully
ignorant of their defense, thinking their island was a strong enough fortress
from the outside world. The Mycenaeans, on the other hand, were a war-like
people, whose kings and nobles depended on their experienced soldiers. It is
also interesting to note that these warriors served a dual purpose, being the
Mycenaean law enforcement during peacetime. (Goessl, 2008) But Crete was a vital location for trade, and the Mycenaeans
saw that, and desired it to be under their control. But it wasn’t until 1500 BC
that Minoa was weakened to the point of vulnerability: a volcanic eruption on
the island of Crete destroyed much of the Minoan navy,
along with many of the sources of their prosperous trade. The Mycenaean king
saw this and took his opportunity, mustering his own fighting force and
invading Crete, where they had a smashing
victory over the waning Minoans. Some historians today speculate that the
Mycenaeans only won due to a technological advance available on the mainland,
but not Crete: bronze. (Weatherby, 2011)
Bronze meant better weapons and armor, and a stronger defense against stone and
wood weapons that might have been common at the time. It also meant stronger
tools and building materials, which the Mycenaeans are thought to have
used to rebuild Minoa after they conquered it.
After the Minoans fell, the Mycenaeans assumed various
elements of Minoan culture, art, and religion, which they resourcefully used to
construct their own, similarly remarkable, civilization. One could almost say
that the Minoan culture lived on through the warlike Mycenaeans, as it was
assimilated so well. Mycenaeans adopted aspects of Minoan religion like the Sacred
Knot, sacred horns, figure-of-eight shields, the worship of trees and sacred
columns, and "holy ecstatic dances for the Mother Goddess-Nature".
(Spirit of Greece,
2005) Along with Minoan art techniques for ceramics and frescos, their religion
was adopted and adapted by the Mycenaeans, and ultimately spread by them as
well.
Both of these cultures remained significant to the course
of world history, and their impact was felt throughout the Mediterranean.
Their trade skills were superb, their craftsmanship was unrivaled, and their
military was feared all through the region. However, they were but a foundation
for the mighty Hellenistic empire of Alexander the Great, but without the
Minoans and Mycenaeans, the groundwork for that mighty realm might never had
been laid.
References
Goessl, L. (2008, February 7). Political
contrasts of Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations.
Retrieved from http://www.helium.com/items/847076-political-contrasts-of-minoan-and-mycenaean-civilizations
Spirit of Greece
(2005, April 28). MINOANS & MYCENAEANS - The mixture of two
civilizations. Retrieved from http://www.spiritofgreece.gr/minoan&mycenaeans.html
Weatherby, E. (2011, December 19). Minoan vs.
Mycenaean | Pipe N' Slippers. Retrieved from http://pipenslippers.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/minoan-vs-mycenaean/
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