Minoans

by J. Lesley Fitton

Who were the Minoans, and what is interesting about them? This book assesses what we really know about their life and times, defining the essential characteristics of a distinctive Cretan culture and setting within its contemporary historical context.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Ancient History, Greece, Archaeology

224 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2002

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

If it were not for the last chapter entitled "The Mythological Legacy and the Reception of Minoan Crete," I would have rated this as a rather boring nuts-and-bolts scientific archeological work. The images we have of the Minoans are so fascinating, but as Cretan-born novelist Nikos Kazantzakis wrote, "This world looked at us with immense black eyes, but its lips were still sealed."

The fact of the matter is that, insofar as we know, the Minoans had no literature: They using their written languages -- hieroglyphics, Linear A, and Linear B -- to produce inventories and what author J. Lesley Fitton called "glorified laundry lists." The first modern archeologist, Sir Arthur Evans, had no qualms about creating his own Minoan civilization: In fact, the word "Minoan" comes from Evans based on a legendary king called Minos. But then, minos could have meant nothing more than the word pharaoh does in Egypt. As Fitton writes:

Romanticism, lyricism, the tendency to project on to Minoan Crete ideas of another Eden -- such ways of thinking have imbued many writings about the Minoan culture, both scholarly and popular. They have derived largely from perceptions of Minoan art, and have sometimes conveniently forgotten that few human societies have had entirely peaceful histories. And they have certainly sometimes forgotten that the art itself must be viewed with caution because much of it has been heavily restored.

Minoans is an excellent introduction of this fascinating culture that left us so much and, at the same time, so little. Compare the civilization to the Greece and Troy of Homer, and you will see that they somehow conveniently forgot to invent a literature to explain themselves.

[Einzige · Rating 4 out of 5]

We truly have been spoiled by the Ancient Egyptians

For those who don’t have an archaeological bone in their body the Minoans occupy a very frustrating place in history which typifies the Bronze Age as a whole – we know just enough about it for it to be intriguing while not having enough information to answer the most interesting questions.

You would be hard pressed to find a better introductory book which still has scholarly rigor to it. The author does a really good job of not only showing what can be known but more importantly the different interpretations and competing viewpoints (as well as how they are reached) over what is not settled.

Of course, like almost any work on this period it is overwhelmingly a discussion on archaeology but there are enough sections on other matters to make it worthwhile even if you have no interest in that particular area.

Overall at the very least this book will leave you with a greater appreciation of the Minoans and simply how much the ambiguity of their history has been abused by modern people.

To save you some time there – no they weren’t a perfectly peaceful society, yes they did practice human sacrifice and no we cant really say much about their religious beliefs or the place of women in their society.

Bonus
At the time of this review this book gives a great example of the impacts of bot selling. If you try and buy this this book online despite it not being all that rare or special you will see copies of it listed for hundreds of dollars while the copies that actually sell go for well under that. So, if you do want to read it and can’t get it through a library just be patient.

[John Carter McKnight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readable, charming history and travelogue of Minoan civilization, holding close to the archaeological record, while sketching a picture of a culture, a civilization, and a regional power. An excellent book to bring on travel, or for armchair adventures, and an excellent introduction to the Minoans.

[Peter Jakobsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

For over 40 years Sir Arthur Evans had a patent on "Minoan" civilisation on Crete and tended to make it up as he went, albeit subconsciously. This rather sober book puts the pots and pans and 'restored' frescoes in a slightly less romantic context.

[ile · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of emphasis on pottery, cemetery burials, and various arts and crafts. In other words it's pretty much all about archeology. A lot of the parts that make exciting history in other civilizations, such as warfare, politics, culture, etc are missing because those haven't been discovered. So instead you get an almost 400 page book describing objects. Want to know how many rooms and the size and dimensions and windows were found in one excavated house? BAM! This book has you covered. How about a painting without actually showing it to you? Don't worry, this book has you covered. Dear Lord!

"Reconstructing a society on the basis of archeological evidence alone is a daunting task". Yes, yes it is, and you proved that.

[Stephen Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doesn't break any new ground, but presents what is known in a generally readable format. I would have liked a little more on Linear A/B and the attempts to decipher them, but that's a nitpick. The book is also a little lacking in "daily life" details, but that's a more speculative area anyway.

If you want a readable summary of the subject and/or a launching pad for more specialized reading, this is a pretty good choice.

[Agaistin Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit meh.