HSC Ancient History Minoan Crete Notes

Summary:

A condensed summary of notes for Bronze Age – Minoan Crete with relevant evidence to each syllabus point and contemporary issues. Minoan Crete is a niche case study for Ancient Societies, but hopefully, these notes can be great for you and your HSC!

The layout for this exam includes a detailed explanation for each syllabus (HOW + WHY) with an abundance of primary evidence as well as historians’ quotes to support your arguments 😀

These notes are based on the Ancient History Stage 6 Syllabus (2017):
SURVEY
The historical and geographical context, including:
– geographical setting, natural features and resources of Minoan Crete
– significant sites: Knossos, Phaestos, Malia, Zakros, Agia Triada, Gournia

FOCUS OF STUDY
Social structure and political organisation, including:
– issues relating to the gender and identity of the ruler(s)
– palace elite: bureaucracy, priests and priestesses
– roles and status of women
– craftsmen and agricultural workers

The economy, including:
– palace economy
– the importance of agriculture
– role of towns: Gournia and Zakros
– trade and economic exchange: Mediterranean and Aegean region
– the concept of thalassocracy
– occupations, crafts and industry: pottery, stone, ivory, metal, jewellery, seal stones, purple dye
– technology: building materials, techniques and construction, ashlar masonry; drainage and water supply

Religion, death and burial, including:
– nature and identity of deities
– religious symbols: labrys, horns of consecration, the bull, snakes, trees, birds
– religious places: peak sanctuaries, cave shrines, palace shrines, pillar crypts, lustral basins
– rituals: sacrifice, libations, processions, dance
– funerary customs and rituals: Larnax, ossuary
– tombs: rectangular, tholos and chamber
– myths and legends relating to the Minoans: Theseus and the Minotaur, Icarus and Daedalus

Cultural and everyday life, including:
– art: frescoes, figurines, pottery, seals, metalwork
– architecture of palace complexes: Knossos, Phaistos, Malia, Zakros and other palace sites
– writing: Linear A and Linear B, the Phaistos Disc
– leisure activities
– health of Bronze Age Minoans as revealed by human remains

Excerpt:

HSC Ancient History Minoan Crete Notes

Option F: Bronze Age – Minoan Crete

Survey
● The historical and geographical context, including:
– geographical setting, natural features and resources of Minoan Crete (ACHAH105)
– significant sites: Knossos, Phaestos, Malia, Zakros, Agia Triada, Gournia (ACHAH105)