The Aegeans

3. Cycladic Civilization 3000-1200 BCE Group of islands in southern Aegaean sea Accomplished sailors, fisherman, and traders No writing system�very prehistoric Earliest surviving artistic evidence includes metalwork, pottery, and marble sculpture Bronze, copper, and tin

4. Cycladic Art Female Cycladic Idol 2700-2300 BCE Made of marble 5 ft tall Objects of worship Most found lying in graves Mainly female figures, but some male Exhibit �divine female power�

5. Minoan Civilization 3000-1500 BCE Includes the island of Crete Culture was destroyed twice, once in 1700 BCE by an earthquake and again three centuries later by an invasion Culture was completely lost until Sir Arthur Evans decided to search for it in 1900 Named the culture Minoan after the legendary King Minos

6. Palace of Knossos Traditional residence of King Minos Largest known palace on Crete Considered a labyrinth because of its winding hallways and rooms.

7. Palace Commercial and religious center Had an advanced shipping and receiving system for receiving imported goods

8. Terracotta Pots Much of the wealth and goods were distributed in terracotta pots Served as storage and filing systems

9. Pottery Jars Storage jars also called a pithos Octopus Vase Shows that Minoans were seafarers and understood the creatures of the sea

10. Toreador Fresco Wall painting in the palace (1500 BCE) Displays a ritual sacrifice of a bull Boy somersaulting over beast to try to capture it. 2 women are depicted with lighter skin to show gender

11. Minoan Religion Little is known about their religion because their language is difficult to decipher Images of bulls, trees, priests, and priestesses are prominent Priestess holding snakes common Snakes associated with fertility and the earth

12. Thera Island north of Crete Volcanic�covered with thick layers of ash and pumice Eruption occurred around 1500 BCE, when Minoans were flourishing Showed a high standard of living with paved streets and mud-brick homes Displayed working plumbing and drainage systems Highly advanced

13. Thera Frescoes Ship Fresco Many home a palace walls exhibited frescos Tell stories & decoration

14. Mycenaean Culture Dominated the Aegean after the volcanic eruption at Thera Conquered Crete and took over Palace of Knossos Palace was built on a hilltop and called megaron

15. Citadel Lions Gate Crowned the entrance to the citadel/palace Displays lions being obedient to the Nature Goddess Heads missing due to time and elements

16. Royal Tombs Tombs built in round shape called tholos Enormous size indicates tombs were used for royalty Buried dead with treasures, much like Egyptians Same beliefs in afterlife

17. Greek Myths Mycenae is home to King Agamemnon, brother of King Menelaus of Sparta who married Helen of Troy Trojan War began in this area

18. Mask of Agamemnon Made of pure gold Often used in royal art Had to be imported, not readily found on island Death Mask Used to positively identify the dead in the afterlife