Early Greece Culture and Art: Minoan versus Mycenaean
Dani Smith
Professor Ambros
Art 111
July 28, 2012 Early Greece Culture and Art: Minoan versus Mycenaean The Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations are two cultures with a lot of similarities, but actually quite different in architecture and lifestyles. It is surprising how the two societies that were only miles apart and ruled during the same period of time can differ so much. Nevertheless, even with the overlapping of these two cultures, the differences of each culture can be seen in the many achievements of economy, architecture, and elegant detail of art. The Minoans, "a splendid culture that flourished between c.1900 and 1375 bce were named “Minoan” after a Greek legend about King Minos of Crete, who was said to have kept a human-eating monster called a Minotaur (half human and half bull) at the center of a labyrinth, or maze" (Stokstad & Cothren, 2012) . The Minoans were known for being self-sufficient agriculturally, but were also famous for being highly skilled sailors and their extraordinary building complexes or palaces. Sir Arthur Evans discovered such a great palace buried at Knossos near Crete's north coast. These complexes were thought to be sites of religious ceremony rituals that were carried out in the courtyards. "Knossos is a labyrinth of storerooms, workshops, and ceremonial halls. Minoan columns were tapered only at the top and looked the handles of gavels. The Minoans built there palaces from poros, a kind of soft sandstone, sandstone and gypsum" (Hays).

RECONSTRUCTION OF THE “PALACE” COMPLEX Knossos, Crete. Site occupied 2000–1375 BCE.
The huge Palace at Knossos was on the top of a hillside that was wide open for every one to see. It had no walls to guard the compound and it also housed an innovative plumbing system. The walls were beautifully decorated with unremarkable paintings that was shown in the Minoan's love of painting and ornamentation; such a peaceful portrayal of a secure culture. The Mycenaeans on the other hand, "besides being bold traders, were fierce warriors and great engineers who designed and built remarkable bridges, fortification walls, and beehive-shaped tombs—all employing Cyclopean masonry—and elaborate drainage and irrigation systems" (Hemingway & Hemingway). Their art work was mostly copied from the Minoans through the employment of a large number of Minoan artisans. One notable architectural design of the Mycenaean's in particular is the Citadel, which is on the opposite end of the spectrum when compared to the Palace of Knossos' design. It is designed with massive ringed walls.

RECONSTRUCTION OF THE CITADEL AT MYCENAE
Greece. Occupied c. 1600–1200 BCE
(walls built c. 1340–1200 BCE).
At the entrance you were greeted with two nine-foot lions that are used to guard the entrance and possibly for intimidation against attackers. Also, the inside of the Citadel had more of a basic design whereas the Palace was more elaborate with beautifully painted walls. The Mycenaeans chose to decorate their weapons instead of their walls in the Citadel. The Mycenaean culture was one of violence and geared for defense. As seen in their art, the Mycenaeans had more of a violent focus, which depicted hunting and war.
To conclude, the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations may have overlapped, but their differences can be witnessed through achievements in their economy, architecture, and elegant detail of art. The Minoans and Mycenaeans built a foundation for the Greeks and lived on as a Greek legend.

References
Hays, Jeffery. "Minoans, Their Art, Culture and Religion and Thera Eruption (3000 B.C. TO 1,400 B.C.)." Facts and Details. Accessed July 26, 2013. http://factsanddetails.com.
Hemingway, C., & Hemingway, S. "Mycenaean Civilization". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/myce/hd_myce.htm (October 2003)
Stokstad, M., & Cothren, M. W. (2012). Art: A Brief History. (5th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
http://factsanddetails.com/world.php?itemid=2043.