Who were the Minoans? Why is Minoan civilization famous?
Named after the legendary King Minos, the race known as the Minoans – the precursors of Greek art – lived on the island of Crete at the eastern end of the Mediterranean. By 2100 BCE proceeds from their maritime trade had enabled them to build a series of palaces at Knossos, Phaestus, Akrotiri, Kato Zakros and Mallia, along with wonderful examples of sculpture, fresco painting, pottery, stone carvings and metalwork. For more, see: Minoan Art. Q. What was Mycenean Art? Mycenae was a Greek city in the Peloponnese area on the mainland of ancient Greece. It lent its name to the earliest form of Greek culture (c.1650-1200 BCE). For more information, see: Mycenean Art. Q. Why is Persian art famous? Set astride the ancient trading route to the Orient, Persia (later renamed Iran) became one of the richest cultural and political centres of the ancient world during the first Millenium BCE. Under powerful leaders like Cyrus II the Great, Xerxes and Darius I, the country became famous for its archi
