What is the meaning of Knossos?
Knossos in British English or Cnossus (ˈnɒsəs , ˈknɒs-) a ruined city in N central Crete: remains of the Minoan Bronze Age civilization.
Why is Knossos important?
The Palace of Knossos was the most important of the palaces on Crete, and the seat of the first king among equals of the island, Minos, whose name has been given to the whole of the 3rd and 2nd c. BC Minoan civilization. The Palace, like the others in Crete, was built soon after 2000 BC and destroyed in about 1700 BC.
What were 3 important features of Minoan culture?
Labyrinth-like palace complexes, vivid frescoes depicting scenes such as bull-leaping and processions, fine gold jewellery, elegant stone vases, and pottery with vibrant decorations of marine life are all particular features of Minoan Crete.
What was the Minoan civilization known for?
The Minoans have an important place in world history, as building the first civilization to appear on European soil. Minoan civilization emerged around 2000 BCE, and lasted until 1400 BCE. The Minoans were famous for the magnificent palaces they built, above all at Knossos.
Why is it called Knossos?
In Greek mythology, King Minos dwelt in a palace at Knossos. He had Daedalus construct a labyrinth, a very large maze (by some connected with the double-bladed axe, or labrys) in which to retain his son, the Minotaur. The name “Knossos” was subsequently adopted by Arthur Evans.
What was Knossos in ancient Crete?
Knossos, also spelled Cnossus, city in ancient Crete, capital of the legendary king Minos, and the principal centre of the Minoan, the earliest of the Aegean civilizations (see Minoan civilization). Knossos produced fine polychrome pottery on a black glazed ground during this period.
What happened at Knossos?
The city of Knossos, and almost every other community centre on Crete, was destroyed by a combination of earthquake and the invading Mycenaeans c. 1450 BCE with only the palace spared. The eruption of the volcano on the nearby island of Thera (Santorini) in c.
What did archaeologists discover about the Minoan civilization at Knossos?
Archaeological survey of the upper strata of the Neolithic site revealed artifacts such as gold jewelry, glazed pottery, and bronze. A prepalace structure from 3000 b.c. was also identified, thus making the Early Minoan Period contemporary with the emergence of the Early Bronze Age in the Aegean.
What did the Minoans believe in?
The religion of the ancient Minoans of Crete largely revolved around the Mother Goddess, their chief deity, who was typically associated with snakes.
What are 2 theories As for why the Minoan civilization came to an end?
The reasons for the slow decline of the Minoan civilization, beginning around 1550 BC, are unclear; theories include Mycenaean invasions from mainland Greece and the major volcanic eruption of Santorini.
Who discovered Knossos?
Sir Arthur Evans
Excavations were begun at Knossos under Sir Arthur Evans in 1900 and revealed a palace and surrounding buildings that were the centre of a sophisticated Bronze Age culture that dominated the Aegean between about 1600 and 1400 bc.
Was the labyrinth real?
A disused stone quarry on the Greek island of Crete which is riddled with an elaborate network of underground tunnels could be the original site of the ancient Labyrinth, the mythical maze that housed the half-bull, half-man Minotaur of Greek legend.