1. ANCIENT AEGEAN

2. 1. Explain the formal characteristics of Cycladic, Minoan, and Mycenaean
art and architecture
2. Classify the iconographic characteristics of Cycladic, Minoan, and
Mycenaean art
3. Explain the function of prehistoric Aegean art and architecture
4. Comprehend the relationship between lifestyle, geography, and the art
and architecture of the prehistoric Aegean cultures
5. Discuss the evidence of intercultural contact between the three Aegean
cultures, and between the Aegean cultures and ancient Near Eastern and
Egyptian civilizations
6. Identify and describe the materials and techniques used to create
prehistoric Aegean art and architecture

3. Cycladic people: 2500 BCE on islands in the Aegean
Minoan: 1500 BCE on the island of Crete
Mycenaean: 1200 BCE on mainland Greece

5. Disaster: Volcanic eruption and earthquake hits Crete in 1450 BC—abrupt decline
of Minoan societies.
Mycenaean civilization grew as Minoan failed.
Possible society/influence of the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Dorian Invasion: 1100 BCE ended Mycenaean civilization.
Dark ages until Greek civilization emerges in 800 BCE.

6. WRITING
Linear A: hieroglyphic language that is un-translated.
Linear B: translated language related to Greek.

7. TERMINOLOGY
* incised
* filigree
* citadel
* relieving arch
* passage graves
* megaron
* terra cotta
* sculpture in the round
* faience
* lost-wax casting
* repoussé
* gilding
* corbel
* cyclopean construction
* shaft grave
* stylized
* relief
* post-and-lintel construction
* beehive tombs
* façade
* corbelled vault
* tholos

8. Figurine of a woman, from Syros (Cyclades),
Greece, ca. 2500-2300 BCE. Marble, approx. 1’6” high.

10. Male lyre player, from Keros (Cyclades),
Greece, ca. 2700-2500 BCE. Marble, approx. 9” high.

11. Aerial view of the palace at Knossos (Crete), Greece, ca. 1700-1400 BCE.

13. Stairwell in the residential quarter of the palace at Knossos
(Crete), Greece, ca. 1700-1400 BCE.

20. Minoan woman or goddess (La Parisienne), from the palace at Knossos
(Crete), Greece, ca. 1450-1400 BCE. Fragment of a fresco. Approx. 10” high.

22. Bull-leaping, from the palace at Knossos
(Crete), Greece, ca. 1450-1400 BCE. Fresco, approx. 2’8” high, including border.

26. Landscape with swallows (Spring Fresco), from Room Delta 2, Akrotiri, Thera
(Cyclades), Greece, ca. 1650 BCE. Fresco, approx. 7’6” high
National Archaeological Museum Athens

27. Miniature Ships fresco Akrotiri 1650 -1625 B.C.E

28. Crocus Gatherers Akrotiri, fresco 1650-1625 B.C.E

29. Kamares ware-jar, from Phaistos
(Crete), Greece, ca. 1800-1700 BCE. Approx. 1’8” high.

31. Marine Style octopus jar, from Palaikastro,
(Crete), Greece, ca. 1500 BCE. Approx. 11” high.

32. Snake Goddess, from the palace at Knossos
(Crete), Greece, ca.1600 BCE. Faience, approx. 1” 1 ½” high.

33. Young god(?), from Palaikastro
(Crete), Greece, ca. 1500-1475 BCE.
Ivory, gold, serpentine and rock crystal,
original height approx. 1’ 7 ½”

34. Harvester Vase, from Hagia Triada
(Crete), Greece, ca. 1500 BCE.
Steatite, greatest diameter approx. 5”.

35. Aerial view of the citadel at Tiryns, Greece, ca. 1400-1200 BCE.

36. Corbeled gallery
in the walls of the citadel,
Tiryns, Greece,
ca. 1400-1200 BCE

37. Three methods of spanning a
passageway:
post and lintel,
corbelled arch,
arch.

38. Plan of the palace and southern
part of the citadel,
Tiryns, Greece, ca. 1400-1200 BCE

39. Megaron, Palace of Nestor, Reconstruction Drawing 1300 BCE

40. Lion Gate, Mycenae, Greece, ca.
1300-1250 BCE. Limestone,
relief panel approx. 9’6” high.

42. Treasury of Atreus, Mycenae, Greece, ca. 1300-1250 BCE

47. Vault of the tholos of the
Treasury of Atreus,
Mycenae, Greece, ca.
1300-1250 BCE. Approx. 43’ high.

49. Funerary mask, from the Grave Circle A,
Mycenae, Greece, ca. 1600-1500 BCE. Beaten gold, approx. 1’ high

52. Inlaid dagger blade with lion hunt, from Grave Circle A,
Mycenae Greece, ca. 1600-1500 BCE. Bronze,
inlaid with gold, silver and niello, approx. 9” long.

53. Female head from Mycenae,
Greece, ca.
1300-1250 BCE.
Painted plaster, approx. 6 1/2” high.

54. Warrior Vase, from Mycenae, Greece, ca. 1200 BCE. Approx. 1’4” high

55. Dorian Invasion: 1100 BCE ended Mycenaean civilization.
Dark ages until Greek civilization emerges in 800 BCE