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Mycenaean period of Crete

Mycenaean period of Crete:
1400 B.C.E to 1100B.C.E

In the Mycenaean era, Crete is only a mere dependence of the continent. Its role is perhaps not as erased as it was believed. Mergers must have occurred between Cretans and would have passed into the hands of Idoménée, a distant descendant of Minos — did not legend make the mother of Agamemnon and Menelaus a granddaughter of the last Minos? In reality Idoménée was of Achaean origin. According to Homer, he took part in the Trojan War as fecal of Agamemnon, king of Mycenae, and supplied the greatest number of ships, eighty in total, proof that Crete was far from ruined. On his return to Crete, he would have been, according to certain traditions, driven away in his turn from the island; according to others, honored with a splendid tomb. Probably one must see in him, as in Minos the personification of a new dynasty. His advent consecrated the triumph of the Achaean elements; his exile to Salente corresponded to the dispossession of the Achaean monarchs by the Dorian invasion.

It was the time of the reoccupation, the term used by Evans. If no track of Mycenaean activity was discovered in Knossos, on the other hand, megarons of Mycenaean type were discovered in Aghia Triada and Tylissos. Houses built carefully by the beginning of the postpalatial period were discovered to Paliokastro, Zakros, Gournia. The port of Knossos kept existing and had even commercial reports with Cyprus.

Mergers had to occur between Cretan and Acheans, but in spite of this contribution of new elements, the island gives nothing more original in artistic subject. The achean colonization is mentioned in the Mycenaean traditions preserved by the Greek mythology. So, Agamemnon established some cities in Crete, Pergamos, Lappa and Tegea. Acheans participated in the foundation of Polyrrhenia. Place-names as those of Gortyna and Arcadia are probably of achean origin. In Iliad, Homer mentions, besides the presence of Knossos, Gortyna, Lyktos, Miletos and Phaistos, the fact that the island would have supplied eighty vessels, the largest number among the allies of Agamemnon.

What would prove that the island is far from being ruined. This fleet would have been under the command of king of the island, Idomenea, distant descendent from King Minos. In his return in Crete, he would have been chased away in his turn, according to others, honored with a magnificent grave. Probably it is necessary to see in him, as in Minos, the personification of a new dynasty. His succession dedicates the triumph of Acheans, its exile to Salente corresponds to the dispossession of the acheaens monarches by the Dorian invasion.

Activity beyond the seas of Cretan Achean doubtless aimed at other regions. Texts mention attacks of Egypt by people of the sea by 1200 B.-J.C . Among the quoted peoples, Pulesata, Zakaru and Akaiwasha could come from Crete. Following the achean colonization and following the intensification of the communications with the Peloponnese, appeared good conditions to the development of western Crete. We find some of the mentioned Mycenaean colonies higher, but also quantity of hamlets (Kolymbari, Pens) there, of graves and other rests of Mycenaean period.

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