Page 46 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

DISCOVER A Brief Histroy

A BRIEF 1

HISTORY

With everyone from the Athenians to the Ottomans having occupied the
Greek Islands, the region has seen a varied list of conquerors during its
long history. Despite this, the Greek idea of nationhood – éthnos – based on
shared language, religion and customs, has persisted since ancient times.

Prehistoric Greece
During the Bronze Age, three separate civilizations flourished
in the region. Cycladic culture (2800–2200 BC) produced enig­ 776 BC
matic marble figurines. The Minoans, who ruled on Crete, Melos
and Thera, built technologically sophisticated palaces with
complex drainage systems and light wells. After the Minoans The year the first
went into decline, the Mycenaeans – known for their Linear B Olympic Games are
script (the first written Greek) – moved from the mainland to traditionally said to
Crete. Both the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures found their have taken place.
peak in the Palace Periods of the second millennium, when they
were dominated by a centralized religion and bureaucracy.

Timeline of events
1450– 800– 494 BC
1400 BC 700 BC Statesman
The Mycenaeans The first city-states Solon’s reforms
eclipse the Minoans and their colo nies presage Athenian
in the Aegean. are founded. democracy.
1200–
1100 BC
2000–1450 BC The Sea Peoples
start their inva-
The Minoans build technically sions; Mycenaean
advanced palaces on Crete. society collapses.
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