The ancient Aegean civilization flourished between 3000-1100 BCE across three key regions - the Cyclades islands, the island of Crete, and mainland Greece. The Cycladic civilization was the earliest, lasting from 3000-1600 BCE, while Minoan civilization on Crete lasted from 3000-1400 BCE and was highly advanced with palaces and international trade. The Mycenaean civilization on mainland Greece lasted from 1400-1100 BCE and was known for its kings, warriors, and influence on early Greek culture. Together, these related civilizations represented a formative period in ancient Greek and European history characterized by architectural and artistic achievements as well as advanced trade networks across the Mediterranean region.

1. ANCIENT AEGEAN
CIVILIZATION
C. 3000-1100 BCE

2. INTRODUCTION
Aegean civilization is the general
term for the prehistoric civilizations
in Greece and the Aegean.
Aegean civilization is a general
term for the bronze age civilizations
of Greece around the Aegean sea.

3. PERIODIZATION
There are three distinct but communicating and interacting geographic regions
covered by this term:
 The Cyclades (3000-1600 BCE)
 Crete (minoan civilization) (3000-1400 BCE)
 The Greek mainland (Mycenean civilization) (1400-1100 BCE)

4. MAP OF GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS

5. ANCIENT AEGEAN (Cycladic)
Dates and places:
3000-1600 BCE
Cyclades islands
People:
Little known
Cycladic civilization probably based on herding , agriculture and trade.
Not much known about religion or politics-no written records survive.
No evidence of the glorification of rulers , like found in Egypt
Old kingdom Egypt and Cycladic very different

6. PREHISTORIC AEGEAN: MINOAN
Dates and places:
3000-1400BCE
Island of Crete
People:
Palace builders
Prosperous (trade with Egyptians and Mesopotemia)
Stratified society
Rituals involving animals

7. PREHISTORIC AEGEAN : MYCENEAN
Dates and places:
1400-1100BCE
 Mainland Greece
People:
Kings and warriors
Prosperous
Ancestors of the Greeks

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9. TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT
As early as 2500BCE, the cretans were using
implements of bronze which they imported from egypt.
But they soon discovered bronze deposits on their
on island.
They also were known to the use of clay and made
pottery from it.
They made sun-dried bricks which were set in framework
of wood.
They made use of ceals.
They also made use of Copper,gold.

10. SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS
Ancient aegean mathematics contributed many important
developments in mathematics which are:
Rules of geometry ,discovery in number theory, mathematical
analysis, applied mathematics,and little bit in integral calculus.
Other achievement in mathematics were pythogras theorem,euclid,
archimedes are still in use.
They also developed astronomy.
They also made great progress in medicine,trade etc.

11. RELIGION
 Their religion is not easily understandable and also different with
respect to region.
 "Great mother nature goddess.“
She embodied fertility and
Motherhood; and she ruled
Over sky, earth, and the
Underworld.

12. RELIGION
There was one male divinity, but he was a subordinate
boy god: the son or consort of the great mother
goddess.
Evans's matriarchal society.
They also believe in bull veneration.
Sacrifical labrys.

13. PLACES OF WORSHIP
Mycenaean places of worship are different from those of
minoan crete.
One extra-urban mountain peak sanctuary was excavated on
mount kinortion near classical epidaurus , but mountain
sanctuaries are not as common as on crete.
. There were minoan-type offerings there, including double
axes and figurines.
Both cultures had theocracies with palaces as centers.
In both cultures, the religious role of the king and queen
is confirmed by the written records.

14. PLACES OF WORSHIP
Both regions have many similarities in mythology about religion.
After 1400 bce, there was a pool of common gods, such as
poseidon, zeus, athena, dionysos, diwija, and hermes , all of
whom are attested on both crete and the mycenaean mainland.
The rapid adoption of cultures shows that they already
Have had similarities in religion.
Warrior gods. Anat and baal,
Resemble isis and osiris of egypt .
 it can be further established that the gods were conceived as
members of a divine family.

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16. GOVERNMENT
Several city states each with king
Types of government:
Oligarchy/ aristocracy: the government was in the hands of a
few. They were usually rich people.
Democracy: the goverment was controlled by the citizens who
met in assemblies to make decissions, choose their
representatives, etc.

17. LITERATURE
Homeric epics: long narrative poems;
 Heroic deeds; hero who brings pride
to country.
 Iliad and odyssey: first masterpieces
of western literature (7 th century b.C.E.)
Heroes: achilles and odysseus despite
man’s frailties, his life is noble

18. LANGUAGE AND WRITING
Grateful script from eldest
Hieroglyphic writing
Use of pictures replaced
Two forms of script have not deciphered
linear A – could not decipher
linear B – indo- european speaking groups
earlier form to greek linear B – indo- european speaking groups.

19. HIEROGLYPHIC WRITING

20. ECONOMY
 Not very fertile land.
Agriculture based in olives, vineyards and wheat.
Livestock bases in goats and sheeps.
Because of their poor agriculture and farming, greeks developed a
prosperous commerce through the mediterranean sea to obtain the
products they needed.
Minoan civilization: island of crete fishing and trading.

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22. ART AND ARCHITECTURE
For building material they contented themselves with sun dried
bricks.
Painting and sculpture
their painting shows that they love sports such as wrestling,
exciting contests with bulls
Elegant figure craved out of ivory or made out of gold, sliver, or
bronze

23. AEGEAN CIVILIZATION

24. MINOAN -ARCHITECTURE
Largest palace knossos king minos- minotaur
Place has several rooms,
thick walls, drainage,
Columns
terracotta piping
Greek doric order ( of columns)
Lions gate – 1300-1250BCE greece
Monstrous guardian figures at entrance to palace
tombs and sacred places

25. DECLINE
The flourished period ended iin aseries of disaster about 1500 the
volcane on the island of thera long it seems quiescent erupted to bury the
settlement there under many feet of pumice and ash KNOSSOS was
shattered by a succession of earthquakes some settlement damage by
blast from the eruption sign of eruption was also founded in CYCLADES
excavation show that their house were well beautifully built due to some
problems only a small part has been excavate.

26. THANK YOU