does anyone have any notes on the Bronze age: Minoan Crete for a Thalasocracy??? (1 Viewer)

[georga-lee]

can some one share their notes on Thalasocracy in Minoan Crete? please!!

 

[jennieTalia]

Sorry wrong topic for me Or would be glad to help.

 

[emmalinarina]

A thalassocracy is a rule over a maritime Empire. It involves control by a navy and payment of tribute by member states to the dominant power.

Here's a question I did on it: (10/10 )

e) The archaeological evidence supports the idea of Minoan influence and trade rather than Minoan Thalassocracy Do you agree? In your answer refer to source 5. 10 marks

Although many ancient sources believe that the Minoans ruled as a thalassocracy, archaeological evidence from Crete and other islands in the Aegean area, support the more likely idea of Minoan influence and trade. Numerous sources such as frescoes, pottery, conical cups, Linear A tablets and evidence of Minoan influence have been found at places such as the Cyclades, Rhodes, Kyethra and the Greek mainland. The natural currents that ran from Crete Egypt and to Italy also support the idea of Minoan trade.

Historians such as Thucydides and Callender both support the belief that Crete was ruled by a thalassocracy. They base this on the evidence that Crete was a particularly strong and influential society with a vast navy and a strong control over the rest of the islands. Thucydides states “Minos, according to tradition, was the first person to organise a navy. He controlled the greater part of what is now called the Hellenic Sea. He ruled over the Cyclades in most which he founded the first colonies…” The representation of a fleet has also been found on the south wall of a house in Akrotiri depicting a cluster of warships floating just offshore. These would seem to support the idea of a Minoan thalassocracy however it may have just been a fleet of Homer’s Agamemnon two or three centuries later. Thucydides’ extract may also not be reliable as he talks of the legendary King Minos who is believed to have been a legend, not a real historical figure.

Evidence of Minoan artefacts and other sources have been found on numerous different islands in the Mediterranean region. This is a vital fact that supports the belief of Minoan trade and influence rather than a thalassocracy. Minoan artefacts and influences such as conical cups, a local stone vase industry, evidence of Linear A, and female statues of goddesses with Minoan dress have been found at Agghia Irini on the island of Kea. A flying fish fresco, Minoan architectural features such as rooms with pillars, local pottery in Minoan shapes, and little conical cups have also been found at Phylakopi on the island of Melos. These remains all support the belief of Minoan influence, not control, over the Mediterranean area. The scarcity of Minoan settlements on these islands also supports this. Only in Kastri, on Kythera, is there evidence that Branigan believed may support the existence of the formation of an initial Minoan colony; however there is no firm evidence for political control or any other evidence of Minoan colonisation.

The location of Minoan Crete in the Mediterranean area and its geographical features also support the strong belief that the Minoans were involved in an influential trade system. Source 5 shows how Crete is surrounded by many larger influential countries such as Europe, Asia and Africa, therefore making it well placed for trade. Natural currents also run south-east to Egypt and west to Italy, while its close proximity to the other islands makes it easy to island-hop. These location features all contribute to Minoan Crete being well placed for trade and therefore support the idea of Minoan influence and trade rather than a thalassocracy. Crete is dominated by mountains, limestone caves and cypress wood forests, as well as surrounded by water, creating valuable components for trading such as fish, wood and limestone. Its fertile valleys and insulated lands also provide ideal land and soil for the production of olives, grapes, lemons, fruits and a wide range of vegetables. Remains of these crops have been found in storage jars and pots in many palace magazines.

Although many ancient sources believe that the Mediterranean area was ruled by a Minoan thalassocracy, there is much more plentiful evidence that supports the belief of Minoan trade and influence rather than a thalassocracy. Evidence of Minoan artefacts and influence on other islands, Crete’s location and Crete’s geography all are vital in their support for this belief.

Sorry my post is long but I didn't know how to add it as a link. Hope that helps!