The Rise and Fall of the Minoans : Europe's First Civilization

In this presentation Dr. Louise Hitchcock guides us through every aspect of Minoan History from the earliest populations and migrations into Crete to the hybridization of cultures and peoples that would come to define the peoples that we call the Minoans. Follow us as we explore the rise and fall of one of the greatest civilizations in history as we explore origins, art, architecture, religion, society, gender, hierarchy, primary sources, archaeology, historiography and violence.  Lastly we approach their fall... and we ask ourselves where did they go? What happened? And who replaced them? An overview taken from Wikipedia: The Minoan civilization was a Bronze Age Aegean civilization on the island of Crete and other Aegean Islands, flourishing from c. 3000 BC to c. 1450 BC until a late period of decline, finally ending around 1100 BC.  It represents the first advanced civilization in Europe, leaving behind massive building complexes, tools, artwork, writing systems, and a massive network of trade. The civilization was rediscovered at the beginning of the 20th century through the work of British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans. The name "Minoan" derives from the mythical King Minos and was coined by Evans, who identified the site at Knossos with the labyrinth and the Minotaur. The Minoan civilization has been described as the earliest of its kind in Europe, and historian Will Durant called the Minoans "the first link in the European chain". Check out the awesome work of Dr. Hitchcock at these links below! Academia profile where you can access her work that is free to the public. https://unimelb.academia.edu/LouiseHitchcock Get her books here! Aegean Art and Architecture: https://global.oup.com/ukhe/product/aegean-art-and-architecture-9780192842084?cc=au&lang=en& Minoan Architecture: A Contextual Analysis: http://www.astromeditions.com/books/book/?artno=PB155 Theory for Classics: https://www.routledge.com/Theory-for-Classics-A-Students-Guide-1st-Edition/Hitchcock/p/book/9780203932919 DAIS: The Aegean Feast https://www.peeters-leuven.be/detail.php?search_key=9789042924277&series_number_str=29 Follow her on Twitter : https://twitter.com/ashlarblocks --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/antiquity-middlages/support