Bronze Age Flashcards
How long did the bronze age last and what were the stages of it?
The bronze age lasted from 3300 - 1100 B.C with the early bronze age being from 3300 - 2000 B.C, middle bronze age being 2000 - 1700 B.C and the late bronze age being from 1700 - 1100 B.C.
What was the Minoan “Palace” a centre for?
It was a center of political, religious and economic power on Crete.
What are the 3 types of writing during this age?
- Minoan Hieroglyphics
- Linear A
- Linear B
What is the best example of a Mycenaean Palace?
The palace of Nestor, located in Pylos.
What caused the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization?
Short answer - no one knows for sure.
Long answer - during the collapse of 1200 B.C, many other ancient civilizations (Egyptians & trojans) suddenly disappeared. A theory is that foreign invaders killed these civilizations but no one knows who or why. Other theories are that there was a series of natural disasters that effectively wiped out these civilizations.
What is evidence of the Mycenaean collapse?
- A drastic sudden drop in population
- Decentralized (went from large palaces to small villages, a lack of administrative hub)
- Loss of skilled laborers
- Sharp decline in quality of ceramic vessels
- Greek trade suddenly drops to nothing
- Economic stagnation
- Burial practices end around 1200 B.C
- LITERACY WAS LOST
What are the two non-Greek civilizations present during this time and what years they flourished?
- Minoan - flourished during 2000 - 1500 B.C
- Cycladic civilization - flourished during 2700-2400 B.C
What was the artistry the Cycladic islands were most famous for?
They were famous for marble sculptures, they were created from a female muse. These sculptures were found all over. This proves that Cycladic’s were very interested in the idea of proportionality, Greeks adopted this mentally as well.
What is the homeland for the Minoans?
The island of Crete is the homeland with the capital being Knossos.
How did the Minoans receive their name?
In mythology, King Minos’s homeland was on the island of Crete therefore naming the people the Minoans.
The Minoans did not believe they would be attacked, what proved this?
Their palaces were located in the open plains with little fortifications.
The Minoan palaces were very advanced, what were some features that these palaces had that matched that criteria?
These palaces had at least two stories, they used lightwells to let light in through the ceiling. They also had indoor plumbing which was very advanced for the time.
What was the purpose of Linear A? Why else was is created?
Linear A was used to track what went in and out of the palace. Linear A could also be etched into a gemstone and that gemstone could be used as a seal for wax.
How are the two periods of Minoan history identified?
From archaeological evidence we know there was a massive earthquake in 1700 B.C, the Minoans then rebuilt the castle bigger than it was before. Now Minoan history is referred to as Old Palace period, before 1700B.C and New Palace period, after 1700B.C.
What is the evidence available that shows the Mycenaeans were expecting to be attacked?
The palaces were built with very thick walls and built into the sides of mountains.
