Ancient Aegean Civilizations

Aegean Civilization

• Flourished during the Stone and Bronze Ages (7000 BC to 1000 BC)
• Included Crete, the Cyclades and some other islands, and the Greek mainland
• Known for the development of stately palaces, fine craftsmanship, and writing

Minoan Civilization

• Bronze Age civilization located on Crete
• Named after King Minos of Knossos
• Known for its early high civilization and craftsmanship
• Developed a strong cultural and economic unity, contributing significantly to trade and communication through the sea.

Mycenaean or Helladic Greece

• Represented the last phase of the Bronze Age in Ancient Greece (1750–1050 BC)
• The first advanced and distinctively Greek civilization on mainland Greece
• Known for palatial states, urban organization, works of art, and a writing system
• Introduced innovations in the fields of engineering, architecture, and military infrastructure
• Perished with the collapse of Bronze Age culture, followed by the Greek Dark Ages.

Hellenic Greece

• Known as the age of Classical Greece
• Spanning 507 BCE to 323 BCE (the death of Alexander the Great)
• Included the Greek mainland, Crete, the islands of the Greek archipelago, and the coast of Asia Minor
• Considered the 'Golden Age' of Greece

Palace of Knossos

• Notable for the Minoan column, distinct from Greek columns
• Minoan columns are crafted from Cyprus tree trunks
• Minoan columns are larger at the top than at the bottom, with simple capitals

Palace of Tiryns

• A hill fort occupied since the Bronze Age
• Reached its peak of importance during 1400–1200 BC, becoming a significant center of the Mycenaean world
• Designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999
• Known for its palace, cyclopean tunnels, fortified walls, and its association with Heracles.

Delphi

• A sacred precinct, previously called Pytho
• Known as the seat of the Pythia, a major oracle consulted across the ancient world
• Greeks considered Delphi the center of the world, marked by the Omphalos monument

Temple of Apollo at Delphi

• Located on Mount Parnassos in Central Greece
• Situated within the Panhellenic Sanctuary, occupying a prominent position
• Five different temples were built throughout history

Treasuries at Delphi

• Numerous votive statues and treasuries were built on the Sacred Way, leading up to the Temple of Apollo
• Built by Greek city-states to commemorate victories and express gratitude to the oracle
• The treasuries held offerings to Apollo, often a 'tithe' (one-tenth) of war spoils

Greek Architectural Features

• Modillions: Projecting brackets supporting weights, often featuring scrolls or volutes.
• Ancones: Consoles on either side of doorways, supporting cornices.

Greek Mouldings

• Cyma Recta: Often carved with honeysuckle ornamentation.
• Cyma Reversa (Ogee): When enriched, carved with the "water leaf and tongue" ornament.
• Ovolo: When enriched, carved with the egg and dart, or egg and tongue ornament
• Fillet: A small plain face to separate other mouldings, usually without enrichment.
• Astragal or Bead: Similar to a fillet, but approaches a circle in section. Sometimes carved with a "bead and reel" pattern.
• Scotia: A deep hollow found in bases that is not typically enriched.
• Corona: The deep vertical face of the upper portion of the cornice, frequently painted with a Greek "Feet" ornament.
• Torus: A magnified bead molding, often carved with a guilloche or plait ornament, or bundles of leaves tied with bands.
• Birds Bead: Common in the Doric order, creating a deep shadow.

Public Buildings

• Agora: The center of social and business life.
• Stoa: A long colonnaded building used for multiple purposes, including public gathering and sheltering religious shrines.
• Prytaneion: The senate house and a place for entertaining distinguished visitors. Included the official banqueting room and a communal hearth
• Bouleuterion: The council house, a covered meeting place for elected councils.
• Odeion: Used for musical performances, competition, and public approval of works.

Greek Theaters

• Orchestra: The circular space in the center of the theater, where performances took place.
• Theatron: The semi-circular seating area on the hillside, for the audience.
• Skene: The stage building behind the orchestra, used for scenery and dressing rooms.

Explore the intriguing Aegean civilizations, including the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures. This quiz covers their advancements in art, architecture, trade, and the influences that shaped early Greek society. Test your knowledge of their historical significance and contributions to civilization.