Ancient Greece

Ancient Greek Culture Section

Ancient Greek Mythology

Ancient Greek Picture Gallery

Ancient Greek Art Lesson

Ancient Greek Web Resources

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ancient Minoans and Mycenaeans

 

 

knosus statueThe Greeks trace their culture back to two earlier cultures known as the Minoans and the Mycenaeans. The Minoans were named after the legendary King Minos. A large palace had been discovered at Krossos on the island of Crete. It is believed to have been built around 2000 B.C. The Minoans grew grapes, grain, and olives and traded with the Greeks, Egyptians, and others in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

 

 

 

minoan palaceThe Mycenaeans were from the Peloponnesian Peninsula. They invaded and conquered the Minoans on Crete. The most famous of the Mycenaean kings was named Agamemnon. He was a key figure in the Trojan War, as retold in Homer’s poem the Iliad. The Mycenaeans were then conquered by the Dorians. This began the period in Greek history known as the Dark Ages.

 

 

 

 

 

History and Government of Ancient Greece

Democracy in Athens     History of Athens     Famous Historians    
  Minoans and Mycenaens     Sparta Government    Time Line of Athens   
  Time Line of Ancient Greece

BACK TO GREEK MAIN PAGE