Early vs. later Aegean Civilization -- Minoan and Mycenaean vs. Classical and Hellenic Ages

The early Minoan and Mycenaean cultures of the Aegean represent, respectively, a palace-ruled island-based culture and a more militaristic land-based culture, that were eventually to converge into the singular culture of the Classical Age of mainland ancient Greek civilization. At first, this development may seem surprising. The differences between the early and late artistic and political eras seem striking to the modern eye. While Minoan and Mycenaean statues are static and almost Egyptian in their stylization, Classical and particularly Hellenic sculptures and depictions of the human form are 'realistic,' idealized, or highly emotional in their stance and expression. The earlier civilizations were either royal or military-run, and fairly enclosed. Athens was to form the cradle of democracy for later civilization, and even Sparta formed alliances with other city-states. Still later, Hellenic society became extremely porous, as it assimilated a variety of cultures and nations into its fabric. The art and political structures reflected this cultural assimilation.

But the primacy given to the human form in the early Minoan and Mycenaean artistic works is still notable, as is the relatively more stress of the structure of the government in contrast to surrounding civilizations. This stress upon individual excellence formed the basis for the focus of Greek art upon the human frame, and Greek society upon the individual's service and duty to himself and to the larger community of citizens and Greeks. True, many of the earlier city-states (such as that of Minoa) were royally governed, but laws still held some sway, even when they were fairly rigid, in contrast to the pure tyrannies of Persia and other Ancient Near East states. By the middle of the second century BC, the Mycenaean civilization had become open towards much of Minoan culture, art, and architecture. IT had a diversity that other ancient cultures lacked, and a capacity of adaptation. Soon its concept of princes shifted from military chieftains to palace-dwelling administrators, and its art began to show some Minoan influence, eventually adopting some of the Minoan stylization, though not the Minoan focus upon half bull and half human images. (Hawkes, 2002)

Works Cited

Hawkes, Jacquetta. (2002) "Cultural Explanations." PhpWiki. http://metamedia.stanford.edu/traumwerk/index.php/Knossos%2C%20the%20Pacifistic%20Mother%3F%3A%20Comparisons%20with%20Mainland%20Greece. [23 Feb 2002]