Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Goals
Identify the geographic area known as the
Aegean.
Discuss the visual aspects and possible
context of the CYCLADIC sculptures.
Discuss MINOAN society and architecture.
Understand the culture and architecture
of Mycenae
Identify important MYCENAEN architectural
achievements.
Discuss the relationship between Minoan
and Mycenaean art and culture
Cycladic Art
Explore the visual aspects and possible
context of the Cycladic sculptures
Figurine of a woman,
from Syros (Cyclades),
Greece, ca. 25002300
BCE. Marble, 1 6 high.
National Archaeological
Museum, Athens.
Do the feet
appear like they
would allow
these figures to
stand upright?
Why might this
not be
important?
10
Male lyre
player, from
Keros
(Cyclades),
Greece, ca.
27002500 BCE.
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MINOAN ARCHITECTURE:
Excavations by Sir Arthur Evans at Knossos
added credence to the site as the location
of legendary King Minos (hence the name)
the Minotaur and hero Theseus
Period divided into Old Palace Period
1900-1700BCE and New Palace Period 17001400BCE
New thinking suggests that kings didnt
rule but rather a confederation of
aristocrats
these complexes then would function as
sites for religious rituals in courtyards
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Stairwell
in the
residential
quarter of
the palace
at Knossos
(Crete),
Greece, ca.
17001400
BCE.
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Note the distinctive shape of the columns taper to the bottom with
bulbous cushion like capitols. Columns were originally in wood,
replaced with cement during Evans restoration work
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Landscape with swallows (Spring Fresco), from Room Delta 2, Akrotiri, Thera
(Cyclades), Greece, ca. 1650 BCE. Fresco, 7 6 high. National Archaeological
Museum, Athens.
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Kamares-ware jar,
from Phaistos
(Crete), Greece, ca.
18001700 BCE. 1 8
high. Archaeological
Museum, Herakleion.
30
Marine Style
octopus jar, from
Palaikastro
(Crete), Greece,
ca. 1500 BCE. 11
high.
Archaeological
Museum,
Herakleion.
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MINOAN SCULPTURE
Wood, ivory, precious metals &
faience
Goddess with Snakes - water,
regenerative & protection
Traditional Cretan clothing
Deity or Attendant?
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Harvester Vase, from Hagia Triada (Crete), Greece, ca. 1500 BCE. Steatite,
originally with gold leaf, greatest diameter 5. Archaeological Museum,
Herakleion.
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Early photograph
of Heinrich
Schliemann
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Schliemanns Greek
wife wearing some
of the many
treasures that they
excavated and kept
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Schliemann also
dug at Mycenae,
earned himself a
place on a Greek
postage stamp.
Seen here with the
Lions Gate at
Mycenae
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Reconstruction drawing
of citadel of Mycenae
with fortifications
What does the presence
of these walls tell
you?
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Lion Gate, Mycenae, Greece, ca. 13001250 BCE. Limestone, relief panel, 9 6
high.
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Funerary mask, from Grave Circle A, Mycenae, Greece, ca. 16001500 BCE. Beaten
gold, 1 high. National Archaeological Museum, Athens.
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Inlaid dagger blade with lion hunt, from Grave Circle A, Mycenae, Greece, ca.
16001500 BCE. Bronze, inlaid with gold, silver, and niello, 9 long. National
Archaeological Museum, Athens.
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