The apex of Minoan civilization occurred during the Neopalatial period,
and lasted from 1700 to 1450 BCE.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE [ edit ]
Describe the height of Minoan civilization during the Neopalatial period.
KEY POINTS [ edit ]
During the height of Minoan civilization, the Minoans were the greatest sea traders on the
Mediterranean and facilitated cultural exchanges between Egypt, Greece, Anatolian, and Near
Eastern cultures.
Very little is known about Minoan culture and society, although evidence from their material
culture suggests a close affinity with nature, marine-life, and especially the bull.
Minoan civilization began to fall around 1450, perhaps following an earthquake or volcanic
eruption. The island of Crete was occupied by the Mycenaeans before the eventual collapse of
Minoan civilization.
TERMS [ edit ]
rhyton
A container, having a base in the form of a head, from which fluids are intended to be drunk
Sir Arthur Evans
An early twentieth century British archaeologist. He is most famous for excavating the palace of
Knossos on the island of Crete and discovering the Minoan civilization that flourished in the
Mediterranean from 1700 to 1100 BCE.
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New Palaces
The Neopalatial period occurred from 1700 to 1450 BCE, during which time the Minoans saw
the height of their civilization. Following
the destruction of the first palaces in
approximately 1700 BCE, the Minoans
rebuilt these centers into the palaces
which were first excavated by Sir Arthur
Evans. During this period, Minoan trade
increased; during this period the Minoans
were considered to rule the Mediterranean
trading routes between Greece,
Egypt, Anatolia, the Near East, and
perhaps even Spain. Minoans began to
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settle in colonies away from Crete, including on the islands of the Cyclades, Rhodes, and in
Egypt.
Cultural Tropes
Not much is known about Minoan society and culture, although much can be speculated from
the archaeology. The society is believed to not have had a king, as the palace centers are not
centered around a single room nor are they designed for use by a ruling family and their
attendants. Minoan art suggests that the people felt a close connection to nature, as many of
the scenes painted on walls and pots are of the natural world, including plants, animals,
birds, and marine life .
Flying Fish
Fragment of a Minoan fresco depicting a flying fish. Phalakopi, Milos, Greece.
The Minoan culture appears to also be closely linked with the bull. Bulls are often depicted in
mural frescoes and many bullfigurines and rhytons have been excavated . Images of the bull
are often accompanied one or more additional human figures, some of whom often appear to
be engaged with the bull by leaping over its back. Frescoes also depict these bull-leaping
scenes; abstracted bull-horn shapes may have been used in Minoan architecture. The
numerous examples of bull imagery in Minoan culture point to the significance of the animal,
but its precise cultural significance for the Minoans is still unknown.
Bull's Head Rhyton
A rhyton in the shape of a bull's head.
Cultural Collapse
In 1450 BCE another cataclysmic event, perhaps an earthquake or the volcanic eruption on
Thera, once more disrupted Minoan life. After this, during the Final and Postpalatial period
from 1450 to 1100 BCE the island was occupied by the Mycenaean Greeks before the final
collapse of Minoan and Mycenaean civilization and the beginning of the Greek Dark Age.