27
CHAPTER FOUR
AEGEAN ART
Video Links:
The Palace of Knossos
Compare and Contrast
Image Flashcards
Term Flashcards
Early Cycladic Art
Key Images
Frying pan, from Chalandriani , p. 83, 4.1
The Cycladic culture was named for the Cycladic islands forming a circle south of
Attica. The archaeological record suggests that the Cycladic culture dates from ca.
3000 1600 BCE.
Male figures were often depicted sitting down or playing a musical instrument.
Several interpretations of these figures have been put forward. These figures were
originally thought to carry some religious meaning, perhaps serving as idols. More
recently scholars have suggested that they were intended to function as funerary
28
Minoan Art
Key Images
Reconstru
Grandstand Fresco, from Knossos, Crete, p. 87, 4.7
: Two Excavators, Legend, and Archaeology, p. 87
The Minoan culture dates from ca. 3000 1450 BCE and takes its name from King
Minos, whom Homer tells us was the legendary ruler of the island of Crete.
The largest Minoan palace was at Knossos and was excavated by Sir Arthur Evans
who called it the palace of Minos. The palace complex was heavily restored by Evans
The frescos from Knossos have an organic quality. This, in conjunction with
abundant statues depicting a woman (or goddess) holding snakes, suggests that the
Minoans may have practiced earth worship. The presence of sea motifs on Crete and
Thera reflect the close relationship that the Minoans had with the sea.
The meaning of the Toreador Fresco is unclear. While most scholars agree that bull–
dancing might have served a ritual function, the purpose and identity of the
29
Mycenaean Art
Key Images
Aerial view of Mycenae, p. 93, 4.17
Corbeled casemate at Tiryns, p. 95, 4.20
The Lionness Gate, Mycenae, p. 95, 4.22
The Mycenaean culture dates from ca. 1500 1100 BCE. Homer mentions three
Mycenae was excavated by Heinrich Schliemann, an avid classicist who believed that
Unlike the palace at Knossos which had no need for fortification walls due to the
protection from the sea and Minoan fleet surrounding the island, Mycenaen cities
were heavily fortified. These fortifications were constructed using Cyclopean
masonry, suggesting that only a creature as mighty as the Cyclops could lift the
blocks into place.
30
The grave goods from Mycenae were exceptionally rich, ranging from gold death
masks, to highly decorated weapons, cups, and jewelry.
Key Terms/Places/Names
Homer
provenance
megaron
Heinrich Schliemann
Discussion Questions
1. How would you assess patterns of contact in the ancient world among the Egyptian,
Minoan, and Mycenaean civilizations? Give examples of culture exchange among
these peoples.
5. Discuss in both style and function the works of art that are associated with
Mycenaean architecture.
6. Discuss the influence of Minoan art on Mycenaean art. Where can this influence be
seen?
31
Resources
Books
Getz-Preziosi, Pat. Early Cycladic Sculpture: An Introduction. Getty Trust Publications:
J. Paul Getty Museum, 1995.
Preziosi, Donald, and Louise Hitchcock. Aegean Art and Architecture. Oxford: Oxford
University Press, 1999.
Taylour, William. The Mycenaeans. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1990.