Minos and the Heroes of Homer:

Prehistoric Aegean
ART ID 111 | Study of Ancient Arts
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD NYIT Center for Teaching and Learning with Technology

With modifications by Arch. Edeliza V. Macalandag, UAP

Prehistoric

Aegean

The Bronze Age civilization that developed in the basin of the Aegean Sea

Had three (3) major cultures:

1. 2. 3. Cycladic culture on the islands of the Cyclades Minoan culture on the island of Crete Mycenaean culture on the Greek mainland

The sea-dominated geography of the Aegean contrasts sharply with that of the Near East, as does its temperate climate.

Prehistoric

Aegean

Aegean art is noticeable for its naturalistic vivid style, originated in Minoan Crete.

Not much was known about the Aegean civilization until the late 19th century, when archaeological excavations began at the sites of the legendary cities of Troy, Mycenae, Knossos, and other centers of the Bronze Age

Cycladic Culture
(About 3000-2200 B.C.)

Cycladic Culture
flourished at about the same time as the early Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations. considered the forerunner of the first truly European civilization - Greece. On the mainland, their villages have been small independent units, often protected by thick walls. Over time, the buildings on Crete and in the Cyclads became more complex.

Cycladic Culture
developed pottery, often decorated with rectangular, circular, or spiral designs. also produced silver jewelry

sculpture produced was very unique compared to the art being produced by the Egyptians & Mesopotamians.

Cycladic Culture
These sculptures, commonly called Cycladic idols, were often used as grave offerings: o all were made of Parian marble o had geometric, 2D nature, which has a strangely modern familiarity. o the Cycladic artists made obvious attempts to represent the human form. o Cycladic sculpture: the first truly great sculpture in Greece.

Cycladic female figurine

ca. 2,500-2,300 B.C.E. Parian marble approx.18 in. high

Cycladic female figurine

ca. 2,500-2,300 B.C.E. Parian marble approx.18 in. high

Cycladic female figurine

ca. 2,500-2,300 B.C.E. Parian marble approx.17.3 cm. high

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cycladic_female_figurine_2.jpg

Cycladic female figurine

ca. 2,500-2,300 B.C.E. Parian marble approx.18 in. high

Cycladic female figurine

ca. 2,500-2,300 B.C.E. Parian marble 62.79 cm high

Cycladic Harp Player

ca. 2,800-2,700 B.C.E. Parian marble 11 1/2 in. high

Cycladic Harp Player

ca. 2,800-2,700 B.C.E. Parian marble 11 1/2 in. high

http://www.antiquitiesexperts.com/greece3000.html

Cycladic group of 3 figurines

ca. 2,800-2,700 B.C.E. Parian marble 19 cm high

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cycladic_three_figurines_group.jpg

Head from the figure of a woman Spedos type, Early Cycladic II.
ca. 2,700-2,300 B.C.E. Parian marble 10 1/2 in. high

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Head_figurine_Spedos_Louvre_Ma2709.jpg

Minoan Culture
(About 2200-1800 B.C.)

Minoan Culture
Newcomers arrived in the Cyclades and on the mainland and caused destruction. For about two centuries civilization was disrupted. New pottery and the introduction of horses at this time indicate that the invaders were of the Indo-European language family.

Minoan Culture
What the Minoans called themselves is unknown. The term "Minoan" was coined by Arthur Evans after the mythic "king" Minos. Minos was associated in Greek myth with the labyrinth, which Evans identified with the site at Knossos.

Minoan Culture
Developed on Crete in 2 B.C. Evidence of that flourishing culture were: o Impressive buildings o Frescoes o Vases o Early writing Focal points: Great royal palaces (anaktora) built around large courtyards

Minoan Culture
Maintained a marine empire, trading not only with the Cyclades and the mainland but also with Sicily, Egypt, and cities on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean. Minoan religion featured a female snake deity, whose worship involved the symbolism of fertility and the lunar and solar cycles.

Minoan Culture
Minoan art is unusual for the time:
o It is naturalistic, quite different from the stiff stereotypes of contemporary art elsewhere. o The vibrant colors, smooth lines, and sense of nature make Minoan art a pleasure for eyes even today. o Minoan artists broke away from the 2D expression of figure and created 3D figures.

Minoan Culture
o The easy pleasure-loving lifestyle comes across in their art. o The frescoes are art of exceptional beauty, their fluidity makes the figures dynamic. o The frescos include many depictions of people, with the genders distinguished by colour: the men's skin is reddish-brown, the women's white.

Minoan Culture
o The Minoan culture rivaled that of Egypt. o Minoan palaces:
Knossos - the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete Phaestos - the second largest palatial building on the island Malia - a palatial centre which affords a look into the development of the palaces in the protopalatial period Zakros or Kato Zakros Galatas - most recently confirmed palatial site

Palace at Knossos | Crete, Greece | ca. 1,700-1,400 B.C.E.

Palace at Knossos | Crete, Greece | ca. 1,700-1,400 B.C.E.

Palace at Knossos | Crete, Greece | ca. 1,700-1,400 B.C.E.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Knossos_-_09.jpg

Palace at Knossos | Crete, Greece | ca. 1,700-1,400 B.C.E.

Palace at Knossos | Crete, Greece | ca. 1,700-1,400 B.C.E.

Plumbing in Palace at Knossos | Crete, Greece | ca. 1,700-1,400 B.C.E.

fresco of Minoan woman (La Parisienne) from the Palace at Knossos, Greece
ca. 1,450-1,400 B.C.E. fresco approximately 10 in. high

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Knossos_fresco_women.jpg

fresco of 3 women | from the Palace at Knossos, Greece

ca. 1,450-1,400 B.C.E. | fresco

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Knossos_bull.jpg

fresco of Bull-leaping | from the Palace at Knossos, Greece

ca. 1,450-1,400 B.C.E. | fresco | 32 in. high

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Knossos_bull.jpg

fresco of Bull-leaping | from the Palace at Knossos, Greece

ca. 1,450-1,400 B.C.E. | fresco | 32 in. high

Dolphin Fresco | from the palace at Knossos, Greece | ca. 1,450-1,400 B.C.E. | fresco

Flotilla, detail of Miniature Ships Fresco

from Room 5, West House Akrotiri, Thera, Greece
ca. 1,650 B.C.E. Fresco approximately 17 in. high

Marine style octopus jar from Palaikastro, Greece

ca. 1,500 B.C.E. ceramic 11 in. high

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AMI_-_Oktopusvase.jpg

Minoan dolphin krater from Palaikastro, Greece

ca. 1,500 B.C.E. terracotta, in a multicolor finish 12-1/2 in. high

http://www.talariaenterprises.com/6400_6599/6457a.jpg

Snake Goddess

from the palace at Knossos, Greece

ca. 1,600 B.C.E. faience 13 1/2 in. high

Mycenaean Culture
(About 1600-1200 B.C.)

Mycenaean Culture
The last phase of the Bronze Age Aegean Period, it is the historical setting of much ancient Greek literature and myth, including the epics of Homer. It is believed that the Mycenaeans were responsible for the end of the Minoan culture with which they had many ties. The architecture and art of Greek mainland was very different from the one of Crete. Mycenae and Tiryns were the 2 major political and economic centers at the time.

Mycenaean Culture
CYCLOPEAN ARCHITECTURE is the Mycenaean type of building walls and palaces:

o Palaces were built as large citadels made of piled up stones, as opposed to the openness of Minoan palaces. o The citadel of Mycenae is an ACROPOLIS - a citadel on raised area.

Mycenaean Culture
CYCLOPEAN ARCHITECTURE:
o THE LION GATE - entrance to the Acropolis of the city of Mycenae is an excellent example of this building practice combined with a corbelled arch - the triangular arch shape that the lions stand within.

Mycenaean Culture
o MEGARON is the fortress palace of the king at the center of a typical Mycenaean city. characteristic form of Mycenaean palace found at many sites, including Troy. very symmetrical its basic form is a forerunner of later Greek temple forms

Mycenaean Culture
o THOLOS TOMBS are conical chambers with the subterranean burial chambers.
The stonework of the tholos is very much influenced by Egyptian masonry techniques. There are 9 at Mycenae. There were found the gold death masks, weapons, and jewelry at the royal burial sites similar to Egyptian practice.

Mycenaean Culture
Mycenaean civilization mysteriously disappeared shortly after 1200 B.C. most likely, due to widespread fighting among the Mycenaean Greeks. Mycenaean cities: o Mycenae o Tiryns o Troy

Lion Gate Mycenae, Greece

ca. 1,300-1,250 B.C.E. limestone 9 ft. 6 in. high

Lion Gate Mycenae, Greece

ca. 1,300-1,250 B.C.E. limestone 9 ft. 6 in. high

Treasury of Atreus (entrance) | Mycenae, Greece

ca. 1,300-1,250 B.C.E. | approximately 43 ft. high

Treasury of Atreus | Mycenae, Greece

ca. 1,300-1,250 B.C.E. | approx. 43 ft. high

Treasury of Atreus Mycenae, Greece

ca. 1,300-1,250 B.C.E. approx. 43 ft. high

Funerary Mask from Grave Circle A, Mycenae, Greece

ca. 1,600-1,500 B.C.E. beaten gold 12 in. high

Inlaid dagger blade with lion hunt

from Grave Circle A, Mycenae, Greece
ca. 1,600-1,500 B.C.E. bronze, inlaid with gold, silver and niello 9 in. long

Glossary

acropolis. Greek, high city. In ancient Greece, usually the site of the citys most important temple(s). arch. A curved structural member that spans an opening and is generally composed of wedge-shaped blocks (voussoirs) that transmit the downward pressure laterally. attic The uppermost story of a building.

Glossary

corbel. A projecting wall member used as a

support for some element in the superstructure. Also, courses of stone or brick in which each course projects beyond the one beneath it. Two such walls, meeting at the topmost course, create a corbeled arch or corbeled vault. corbeled vault. A vault formed by the piling of stone blocks in horizontal courses, cantilevered inward until the two walls meet in an arch.

Glossary

Cycladic Art. The pre-Greek art of the Cycladic Islands. Cyclopean masonry. A method of stone construction, named after the mythical oneeyed giant Cyclops, using massive, irregular blocks without mortar, characteristic of the Bronze Age fortifications of Tiryns and other Mycenaean sites.

Glossary

dome. A hemispheric vault; theoretically, an arch rotated on its vertical axis.

dromos. The passage leading to a tholos tomb.
fresco. Painting on lime plaster, either dry (dry fresco or fresco secco) or wet (true or buon fresco). In the latter method, the pigments are mixed with water and become chemically bound to the freshly laid lime plaster. Also, a painting executed in either method.

Glossary

Geometric. An ancient economic and elegantly simple artistic style where figures are depicted in geometric forms such as a rhythmic arrangement of horizontal and vertical shapes. Iconography. Greek, the writing of images. The term refers both to the content, or subject, of an artwork and to the study of content in art. It also includes the study of the symbolic, often religious, meaning of objects, persons, or events depicted in works of art

Glossary

Idol. A material effigy that is worshipped as a god or an image used as an object of worship. krater. An ancient Greek wide-mouthed bowl for mixing wine and water. megaron. The large reception hall in a Mycenaean palace, fronted by an open, twocolumned porch. Minoan Art. The pre-Greek art of Crete, named after the legendary King Minos of Knossos.

Glossary

Mycenaean. The late phase of Helladic art, named after the site of Mycenae. portico. A roofed colonnade; also an entrance porch. repouss. Formed in relief by beating a metal plate from the back, leaving the impression on the face. The metal is hammered into a hollow mold of wood or some other pliable material and finished with a graver.

Glossary

Sculpture in the round. Freestanding figures, carved or modeled in three dimensions. Terracotta. Hard-baked clay, used for sculpture and as a building material. It may be glazed or painted. tholos (pl. tholoi). A temple with a circular plan. tholos tomb. In Mycenean architecture, a beehiveshaped tomb with a circular plan. treasury. In ancient Greece, a small building set up for the safe storage of votive offerings.

Sources http://www.wadsworth.com/art_d/templates/student_resources/015505 0907_kleiner/studyguide/ch04/ch04_2.html http://websites.swlearning.com/cgiwadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20b&product_isbn_issn=0155 050907&discipline_number=436 http://www.aldokkan.com/art/art.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycladic_art