Knossós

Overview

The first Minoan palaces were created about 2000 B.C. They show some concentration of power into the hands of a central authority. This concentration led to a sudden political, cultural, economic and religious reorganization of life. Knossos, Festos, Malia, Zakros, Agia Triada and other smaller palaces and villas were created in the same time period. It seems that there was co-operation among the palaces since no signs of competition have been found.

The palaces forced a hierarchical organization of the society with the king at the top of the pyramid. An important role in the maintenance of this hierarchy was played by religion. From the myths that have reached us, we may conclude that the king was presented to the people as a representative of and communicator with the deities. Minos had the reputation of a just king who imposed fair laws given to him by these deities.

The palaces were not only the homes of the king and his family. They have sections devoted to the deities, rooms for ceremonies, for ceramic and seal production and large storage sections for merchandise and agricultural products. The palaces had an organized administration. Many inscriptions which have been found list the offerings of the people. Commerce with Egypt and the East was under the control of the palaces.

The technical innovations that were developed to support the basic needs of the first palaces are simply amazing. The sewage system was very complex and it remained the best in the western world until the Roman era...more

History