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1	Minos of Cnossos: king, tyrant and thalassocrat Caldesi Valeri, Valerio 16 October 2009 (has links) In this study, I show that the figure of Minos, the mythic ruler of Bronze-Age Crete, functioned in Greek literature of the Archaic Age to the fifth century BCE as a mythical conduit elucidating three notions central to the interests of Greek thought: epic kingship, tyranny, and thalassocracy. A destructive-minded individual and judge in epic, Minos resonates with the portrayal of Homeric monarchs, who display destructive behavior toward their subjects, yet bestow upon them the benefits of adjudication. Further, Minos is deliberately exploited as a precedent by Odysseus, as the hero resolves to use self-help against the suitors rather than a settlement in court. As a result, the epic representation of Minos is far from being marginal to the Homeric poems, as usually assumed. In fifth-century Athenian literature the character is demonstrably portrayed as a tyrant. The shift in the portrayal of Minos is only apparently inconsequent. Artistic and literary evidence is mustered to suggest that the Athenians perceived Minos’ epic role of judge as incompatible with their administration and conception of justice, and that adjudication could serve as a springboard for the achievement of tyranny. In his trajectory from judge to tyrant, Minos thus illustrated the fine line separating justice from tyranny. Again in the fifth century, Minos is envisaged as a thalassocrat. I contend that his thalassocracy is a construct developed by fifth-century historians and based upon earlier traditions that associated Minos’ sea power with the attainment of the status of supreme monarch. Minos’ thalassocracy instead had the quite different implication that its holder would incline toward tyranny. Minos’ thalassocracy, thus, is relevant to Athens maritime empire, also thought of as a tyrannical rule. An ominous model for Athens, Minos’ thalassocracy is both denied and accorded primacy among the sea powers by the historians. Whether accepted or denied, Minos constituted a reference point for the current Athenian archē. / text Minos Epic kingship Tyranny Thalassocracy Athenian literature Greek maritime culture Greek literature
2	Minoan trade: aspects and ambiguities Kieser, Deanne 31 March 2005 (has links) The following dissertation considers the main aspects of trade during each phase of Minoan development from its beginnings in Early Minoan times (3500 BC) until the end of Minoan period in 1430 BC. The work concentrates largely on the commodities exchanged, the development of transportation and perceived trade routes as well as the role of the palaces once they were established. The theories on the Minoan Thalassocracy and colonisation are also discussed. The evidence used is mainly archaeological, which is able to trace the movement of non-perishable materials such as pottery and metals. Reference is also made to contemporary Near Eastern texts and art, as well as the Minoan Linear A and Mycenaean Linear B documents. / Biblical and Ancient Studies / M.A. (Ancient History) Aegean Bronze Age Minoan Crete Cyclades Cyprus Egypt Greece Hagia Triada Keftiu Knossos Levant Linear A Linear B Mediterranean Mallia Neopalatial Palace administration Phaistos Prepalatial Protopalatial Thalassocracy Trade Uluburun Zakros 939.18 Bronze age -- Egypt Bronze age -- Greece -- Crete Minoans -- Greece -- Crete Civilization, Aegean Knossos (Extinct city) Crete (Greece) -- Antiquities
3	Minoan trade: aspects and ambiguities Kieser, Deanne 31 March 2005 (has links) The following dissertation considers the main aspects of trade during each phase of Minoan development from its beginnings in Early Minoan times (3500 BC) until the end of Minoan period in 1430 BC. The work concentrates largely on the commodities exchanged, the development of transportation and perceived trade routes as well as the role of the palaces once they were established. The theories on the Minoan Thalassocracy and colonisation are also discussed. The evidence used is mainly archaeological, which is able to trace the movement of non-perishable materials such as pottery and metals. Reference is also made to contemporary Near Eastern texts and art, as well as the Minoan Linear A and Mycenaean Linear B documents. / Biblical and Ancient Studies / M.A. (Ancient History) Aegean Bronze Age Minoan Crete Cyclades Cyprus Egypt Greece Hagia Triada Keftiu Knossos Levant Linear A Linear B Mediterranean Mallia Neopalatial Palace administration Phaistos Prepalatial Protopalatial Thalassocracy Trade Uluburun Zakros 939.18 Bronze age -- Egypt Bronze age -- Greece -- Crete Minoans -- Greece -- Crete Civilization, Aegean Knossos (Extinct city) Crete (Greece) -- Antiquities

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