Mycenae and the Heroic Age
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Crete circa 1400 BC
Around 1400 BC Cretan trade with Syria wilted and there are signs that there was a greater emphasis on defence - with greater production of helmets, spears and swords. During the late Minoan period horses used for war-chariots were introduced. Art forms developed traits that some would call "decadent" - for example, decorative plant-ornaments on vases which have also developed spurious knobs. A particularly "rococo" style is found only at Knosós during the Late Minoan II period (c. 1450- 1400 BC). One fresco showing a captain leading a group of black spearmen suggests that Crete was importing mercenaries at this time. However, Knosós still remained unfortified and was engaged in colonising Kythera, Miletos and Rhodes. Minoan culture suffered a severe setback around 1400 BC, when evidence suggests that all palaces in Crete were destroyed. According the Evans the archaeological evidence points to another earthquake destroying the palace of Knosós, which was followed by a revolution. The palace was not only burnt but also looted. The fire at Knosós is dated c.1400 BC, and it is after this Minoan culture is in sharp decline. It seems that prior to 1400 BC Crete was taken over by Greek speaking people, probably as a result of an invasion from the mainland. One part of the evidence for this thesis concerns the Linear A and Linear B tablets. During the Middle Minoan period the Cretans used a syllabic form of writing known as Linear A. During the Late Minoan period this gives way to Linear B., which appears to be a form of Greek, arguing in favour of the theory that Mycenaean Greeks conquered Crete prior to the crisis around 1400 BC. After 1400 BC there was some reconstruction in Crete, by then certainly under Greek lords, though the Minoan religion survived to some extent.
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Contents of
Mycenae and the Heroic Age
1 The fall of Knosos
2 Crete circa 1400 BC
3 Mycenae
4 Mycenaean palace architecture
5 Mycenaean burial practices
6 Mycenaean influence
7 Cyprus
8 Decline of Mycenae
9 The sea raiders
10 The wars with Thebes and Troy
11 The seven against Thebes
12 Troy
13 The Dorian Invasion and the end of Mycenaean civilisation
14 The Heraclids
15 Disputing the theory of the Dorian invasion
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