Linear B Tablets Flashcards

1
Q

What is the other tablet called ? Why is it not useful.

A

Linear A, is yet to be deciphered

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2
Q

Where were the Linear B tablets found?

A

Pylos and even more at Knossos
- over 1,000 found at Plyos with more at Knossos

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3
Q

What are the Linear B tablets made out of?

A

Damp clay which records where written with a sharpened tool and then hardened in the sun

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4
Q

How did the tablets survive for so long?!

A
  • Entirely down to luck as they should of only lasted around 7 months
  • However archaeologist were able to find evidence of large fires at the sites meaning the tablets were baked as if in a kiln and became very hard
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5
Q

Why are they important?

A

Give us a snapshot as to what life was like at the time

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6
Q

What are the two main types of symbols used in the Linear B tablets?

A

Syllables ( parts of a word sounded as a single unit)
And
Ideograms (pictures that represented what the item looked like)

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7
Q

What could ideograms represent?

A

Animals or objects
They sometimes add to the reading of a word

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8
Q

What is the dating on the linear AB’s

A

13th century BC

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9
Q

What was the function of the linear Bs?

A

Most list objects and are probably records or items in a palace or a list of transaction

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10
Q

How do they shed light on the development of the Greek language?

A
  • Mention serval gods like Zeus and Poseidon
  • Female versions as well showing some but not all aspects of the Mycenaeans lasted into later times
    Words like gold in Greek ‘chrusos’ appear but instead it’s ‘kuruso’
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11
Q

What do the Linear B tablets tell us about the Mycenaean society?

A

There was a hierarchical system and details how a city was run(only some Linear B tablets tell us this) :
-With a wanax (king) at the top which also adds to how the palace was at the top of Mycenae and a Lawagetas bellow him
-tells us of landowners who owned slaves
- tablets detail military organisation with one calling for 42 bronze tipped spears
- tells us of agricultural and food production in Mycenaean times with one calling for the delivery of 518 litres of oil with figs, wheat and barley also being mentioned

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12
Q

How would the information on a tablet be transferred ?

A

Initially recorded onto a small piece of clay around 3cm in length
Then transferred to a larger thin horizontal tablet known as a lead tablet measuring 30cm in length

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13
Q

What is one tablet from Knossos which gives us a lot of info ?

A

Mentions 420 vines and storage of 14k litres of wine

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14
Q

How do the Linear B tablets shed light on the hierarchical system of Mycenaean times ?

A
  1. chieftain or Wanax at the top
    - corresponds to the word ‘anax’ meaning lord
    - he had royal lands and special garments
  2. beneath him was an official called a lawagetas and was most likely a military figure
  3. The noble class known as the Hequetai who perhaps followers of the file in war
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15
Q

How to the Tablets shed light on the workers ?

A
  • mention of female religious workers and women who ground corn and produced flax
  • waitresses and bath attendants
  • however they are often mentioned as being foreign suggesting they were slaves
  • mentions of musicians, sweeper and bakers
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16
Q

How do the tablets shed light on military organisation ?

A
  • 42 bronze tipped spears
  • 600 rowers and 800 coastal watchmen