Arthur Evans was interested in the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur from Crete. His archaeological excavations on Crete uncovered the remains of the ancient Minoan civilization, including palaces decorated with paintings and evidence of their trade-based economy. The Minoans engaged in religious practices that featured bull imagery and a written language called Linear A, though its meaning remains unknown. Theories suggest the Minoan civilization declined due to volcanic eruptions on Thera, tsunamis, or invasion from the warlike Mycenaeans.

1. Minoa
and the story of Theseus and the Minotaur

2. Arthur Evans loved mythology.

3. Especially the story of
Theseus and the Minotaur.

4. And from the story, he thought he could
prove that King Minos was from

5. Crete

6. So he went to Crete, and he and
archaeologists found the remains of

7. a large city, in fact ancient Crete had many
cities...

8. as well as ancient palaces

9. With many rooms!
So many rooms one might get lost!

10. The palace walls were decorated with
colorful paintings

12. Depicting a peaceful people

13. Whose lives depended on the sea

14. for trade

15. They traveled to the mainland for food
They could not grow all the food they would need for their people

16. But they did have tin!
An essential ingredient that traders during the Bronze Age wanted!

17. In their cities, we see the use of gold and
bronze to make many things, including the
labrys, or double headed axe.

18. We believe they had kings, who also acted
as priests,

19. Who wore a bull mask during ceremonies

20. They had religion.
...goddesses were important...such as the snake goddess

21. ...the Mistress of the Animals

22. ... and the goddess who looked after the crops

23. They believed in an afterlife
...and buried their dead with food and a few possessions

24. in chests like these.
(notice anything on this one?)

25. We know they had a written language.
Creatively called “Linear A”

26. But we can’t really read it.

27. Although some scholars believe the
Cretan word for king is “Minos”

28. They had some system of indoor plumbing

29. And they had depictions of bulls
everywhere!

30. Horns by their palaces

31. And depictions of bull leaping

32. On walls, on rings, and in statues

33. Was it a sport? A religious ceremony?
(Or just the workings of an over-active imagination?

34. Arthur Evans, became Sir Arthur Evans,
and named the civilization he found Minoa

35. for the story of King Minos.

36. So... why did the Minoan civilization end?

37. Was due to the start of the Iron Age?
... you don’t need tin to make iron!

38. Was it a volcanic eruption?
(We know there was one around 2000 BC)

39. On the island of Thera

40. That spewed ash,
causing famine

41. Or the volcanic eruption
may have caused a tsunami

42. We know the eruption may have caused the
end of the Xia dynasty....in China!

43. If these did not end the Minoan civilization
It weakened them, allowing the more war-like Mycenaeans to invade

44. Ending the Minoan culture

45. Your turn: Which parts of Minoan culture
could point to some truth in the story?