The Palace of Minos, situated in Knossos, Crete, has a historical background that dates back to the Bronze Age (1700-1400 BC). It holds great significance in the field of architecture as it represents the Minoan civilization. Crete, an island located south of Greece in the Mediterranean Sea, served as a sanctuary for this disappeared civilization. The relationship between the island and the Minoans can be traced back to 18,000 BC when it was known as “Kaptara” in the Syrian city of Mani. Furthermore, it is also referred to as “Keftiu,” which is portrayed in a fresco discovered in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings named the Tomb of Rekhmire.
Clement Pentier states that Crete, the largest Greek island and one of the largest in the Mediterranean Sea, spans approximately 260 km from East to West. Its width varies throughout, measuring about 60 km at its widest point in the center and as little as 12 km at its narrowest point.
Crete is located in the Neogene Extensional Basin and is affected by unstable geological conditions due to the South-North velocity between the African and Arabian tectonic plates. Furthermore, Crete is influenced by the east-west movement of the Anatolian tectonic plate. Throughout history, there have been no signs of human habitation on Crete’s land during the Paleolithic era (20,000 BC – 8,300 BC).
The settlement of the island occurred between 8,000 and 7,000 BC based on archaeological evidence. The emergence of advanced agriculture took place around 5,000 BC. In Crete, the Cydelic culture initiated the Bronze Age around 2,700 BC, while mainland Greece was under the dominance of the Helladic culture. The climate in Crete and its neighboring islands is typically Mediterranean with hot summers and mild winters.
Over time, the weather has been essential for Crete’s population growth and agricultural heritage, making it a key trade hub for neighboring areas like Egypt, Syria, Cyprus, the Aegean Islands, and mainland Greece. Despite being geographically isolated on the island, the Minoans had a strong connection to their environment through the sea.
Timber was a plentiful natural resource on the island, and it was heavily exploited. In addition to timber, the Cretan plantation produced enough food supplies to support the local population and for exports. They also produced cypress wood, wine, currants, olive oil, wool, cloth, herbs, and purple dye. The island imported precious stones, copper (likely from Cyprus), ivory, silver, gold, and other raw materials. During this time, children typically followed in their parents’ footsteps for their careers, allowing the upper classes to quickly grow their leadership and influence.
This led to the creation of the great palace in Clement Pentier’s History Of Architecture through the replacement of original hierarchies with monarchist power structures. The Minoan civilization on Crete, showing promise of greatness, reached its peak development when a centralized power system, ruled by a single king, emerged around 2000 BC. Knossos, presumed to be the capital, was founded approximately 1900 BC. At the start of his reign, the king was granted complete power and the first large palace was built, later excavated by English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans.
Most of the people lived in larger coastal settlements during the palatial era, around 1900-1700 BC. These settlements served as centers for maritime trading. For example, Chalandriani on Syros, Ayia Irini on Kea, and Dhaskaleio-Kavos on Keros were notable trading hubs. These larger settlements also housed different palaces. The Minoan civilization showcased a flourishing cultural aspect as well. The palace interiors featured a variety of columns and highly decorated walls adorned with frescoes. The motifs on these walls were polychrome and filled with movement. The palace workshops also produced the most decorative style of pottery in the world.
The best known of the discovered sites are from Petsofa, Piskokefalo, Youktas, Kalo Horio, Kofinas, Traostalos, and Vryssinas. The Minoan civilization revered the bull’s horns and the double axe as sacred symbols. Their society had a hierarchical structure with specialized labor and increased contact with other civilizations. The palace archives utilized the hieroglyphic script, which eventually evolved into linear A. Linear A, which was invented around 1800 BC, is Europe’s earliest known writing system that used symbols to represent syllables.
The natives used a common language for religious and administrative purposes, which consisted of approximately 7000 symbols and was known for its complexity. According to Clement Pentier’s History Of Architecture, the Minoan culture displayed a sense of freedom and independence. Both men and women were perceived as equals, with women often holding prestigious and influential roles resembling that of sacred goddesses. However, their power seemed to derive from the respect and fear they commanded rather than love.
The Minoans had complete control over their objects of worship. At this point in time, the relationship between humans and nature was more about negotiation rather than exploitation. Around 1700 BC, an earthquake caused significant destruction to Crete and the Mycenaean cities on the Greek mainland. Despite Knossos’ palace being destroyed, the Minoan civilization quickly rebuilt on top of its remains. Similar to a phoenix rising from its own ashes, the culture thrived after the tragedy. It was during this time that the Minoan Civilization reached its peak.
The newly constructed palaces, situated atop the previous ones, were even more awe-inspiring and intricately crafted. They featured vast courtyards, magnificent entrances, easily accessible staircases, ceremonial pathways, and monumental gateways. These palaces were linked to paved roads and had a well-functioning water supply and drainage system. Among them, the palace located in Knossos stood out remarkably; spanning 22,000 square meters and boasting over 1500 rooms. This remarkable edifice served as the inspiration for the legendary labyrinth created by Daedalus.
All the palaces, both large and small, shared a common feature which may have been their designation as summer residences for kings. They were adorned with marvelous fresco paintings that displayed vibrant scenes, filled with an array of colors. Alternatively, some palaces were covered in stunning blocks of gypsum, distinguished by their dazzling white appearance and intricate veining, both on the walls and floors. The social system of this era was likely feudal and theocratic, wherein the king of each palace also held the position of the supreme religious leader. It is plausible that a hierarchy of priest-kings existed, with the ruler of Knossos being the highest deity among them. (Clement Pentier)
The history of architecture on the island experienced a significant period known as the PAX MINOICA, which fostered cultural development and a sophisticated way of life for the Minoans. This era witnessed the emergence of diverse pottery styles, including the marine style with its vibrant motifs inspired by the deep sea (such as octopuses, tritons, star fishes, sea-snails, rocks, and seaweed), as well as the floral style featuring fresh plants and open flowers. Notably, the use of frescoes became more prevalent during this period to adorn palaces and affluent residences.
The fresco depicted the landscapes of the Island, festival occasions, contests, and rituals in honor of the deity. It portrayed majestic figures such as princes and high priests, including the “Prince with the Lilies,” as well as sacred or imaginary animals. In terms of plastic art, the figures were natural and complete, like the figurines with beautiful hairstyles from Piskokefalo (Sitia), and the plastic rhytons shaped like bulls or wild cats.
Faience was used for creating rare and luxurious items such as plastic rhytons and unique figurines, including snake goddesses. Similar technical perfection can be seen in gold and ivory pieces like the chryselephantine bull leaper from Knossos, royal gaming boards, gold rings with engraved ritual scenes that reveal information about Minoan religion, a wide range of jewelry, and gold or silver vessels. The handles of long swords and elegant daggers during this period often featured a gold covering. Bronze weapons and tools of various types were also finely crafted with carefully worked and gracefully decorated reposes.
The primary deity is always the Mother Goddess, depicted in various forms. She is the underground deity known as the “goddess with the snakes” and the “Ministries of the Animals,” associated with lions, Clement Pentier History Of Architecture, and chamois. She is also revered as the goddess of the sky, associated with birds and stars. Alongside her, the god of fertility is worshipped, often taking the form of a bull. Additionally, a young couple, a boy and girl, who symbolize the cycle of nature – dying or getting lost in autumn but returning to life and light in spring – are also worshipped.
In addition to the gods, there was also a vast array of terrifying demons that worked to assist the gods and enable communication between humans and the divine. People worshipped the deities in various sanctuaries located in palaces, houses, the countryside, peak sanctuaries, and sacred caves. Many of the burial sites were carved into the pliable rock and featured a square burial chamber and a sloping dromos. However, there were also vaulted tombs with either circular or rectangular chambers.
The south royal tomb-sanctuary at Knossos is a complete building complex. It includes a small portico, a crypt with a sacred Pillar, a chamber cut into the rock, and an upper floor for the cult of the dead. All the centers of the second palace period were destroyed by the volcanic eruption of Thera around 1450. Eventually, life resumed in the reconstructed palace at Knossos, which served as the residence of a new Achaean dynasty. The presence of this dynasty is evidenced by both the very archaic Greek language written in Linear B and the appearance of the “Palace Style” pottery.
Many changes were made to the arrangement of the palaces during this period. The creation of the “throne room” happened at this time. In 1939, Professor Marinatos was the first to propose that a catastrophe occurred as a result of the eruption of Thera and its associated effects. According to this theory, earthquakes destroyed the palaces, tsunamis wiped out the Minoans’ fleet and peers, and Thera’s volcanic ash covered the entire island, causing crop destruction and suffocating animals.
After the final destruction around 1380, none of the Minoan palaces were inhabited again. The Achaeans constructed their Mycenaean megara elsewhere. The new civilization was built upon the foundation of the Minoans, but carried an archaic Greek essence and displayed a preference for uniformity in architectural design. The intricate labyrinth-like buildings were replaced by the austere Mycenaean megaron. The prevalent pottery style became known as the “Mycenaean koine,” characterized by repeating the same shapes with minimal decoration. Additionally, the once lively and energetic frescoes lost their former freedom and vigor.
The decline and disorder in the East Mediterranean during the last phase of this period was caused by the movement of the “Seat Peoples”. In Crete, there were signs of the arrival of the Dorians with new cultural features such as cremation of the dead, iron weapons and tools, brooches, and geometric decorative motifs. Sir Arthur Evans extensively excavated the Palace at Knossos in the early 20th century.
One of the pioneers of archaeology, Evans demonstrated a remarkable imagination. He utilized his skills to construct the impressive site that can be observed at Knossos. The civilization of the Minoans intrigued me due to their recognition of human capabilities and their unwavering determination to imbue everything they created with elegance, panache, and grandeur. Clement Pentier
