Analysis Of The Palace Complex Knossos On Crete

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Recommended: Palace in Knossos and Mycenae

Through the readings that we have done thus far, the piece of art that I find most interesting is the "Palace Complex Knossos on Crete". What I find most interesting is not just its architecture as compared to its contemporaries in other regions, but in the culture of the people who occupied the complex, its history, and the myths that evolved from its ruins. Crete is an island located in the Aegean sea. It is located south of mainland Greece. The people on Crete are called "Minoans". The name "Minoans" was given to the inhabitants of Crete by an ninetieth century British archeologist by the name of Sir Arthur Evans. He named the Minoans after the legend of King Minos, who ruled Knossos as per legend. The …show more content…

King Minos 's wife had son who is the product of a union between herself and a bull belonging to the god Poseidon. The son was a half human, half bull creature called a Minotaur. The Minotaur lived in the labyrinth (maze) at Knossos. To satisfy the Minotaur 's appetite for human flesh, King Minos ordered the kingdom of Athens to send 14 young men and women to Crete as a tribute. The 14 young men and women were sent into the labyrinth for the Minotaur. This continued until a young Greek hero named Theseus came to Knossos and killed the Minotaur. The Palace Complex Knossos on Crete has fascinating history. The structure of the Palace Complex is most unique as compared to its contemporaries of their time. They had an advanced development of their art and culture, so much so that their art and artists, crafts, and craftsmen were sought after throughout the known world. The ruins of their complex gave birth to the legend of king Minos and the myth of the Minotaur. Of all the art studied thus far, I find the Palace Complex Knossos at Crete the most

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