Minoans: Life in Bronze Age Crete

I have long been fascinated with the discovery of the Minoans and their culture and way of life. This books is an excellent resource for anyone wishing to learn more about this historical topic. The author, Rodney Castledon, is incredibly knowledgible on the subject, yet presents his book in a manner that is friendly to read by professional archaeologists and laymen observers of history, alike. Much is presented that disuades Arthur Evans original view of the Minoan's as a peace loving and flower-power culture. This is based largely on discoveries made since Evan's time, which show without a doubt, a darker side to the Minoan's and their bronze-age way of life. Although incredible care is still given to preserve the fact that they were an immensely sophisticated, articulate, and advanced civilization. The book addresses everything from town life to city affairs, agriculture, the arts, religious rites, and many other facets of Minoan existence, as witnessed by solid scientific and archaeological evidence. The books is also richly illustrated with both plates and figures throughout each chapter, and an intensive figures reference section at the end. All in all I enjoyed reading this book a great deal and can't wait to recomend and loan it to friends with interests in the same subject. I also plan on further reading by the same author, who has another book specifically about the labyrinth at Knossos, to which this book is actually a follow-up. Highly recomended.

As the author points out, this book is not so much a presentation of new information on the archaeology of Minoan Crete as it is a reinterpretation of what is already known. That said, individuals who know nothing about the subject will find the book an acceptable overview of the literature. The author cites a number of works, both older material and more recent, some on archaeology and some on the "history" of the Minoans, to complete his own project here. Thus the new comer will find ample resources for further investigation which I would encourage.Those who know something of the field will probably find little new other than a perspective change. Here rather than "palaces" the extant Minoan ruins are interpreted as "temples." This change allows new ideas regarding the character and accomplishments of the Minoan people to be aired, always a good thing since it allows new discoveries to test the reliability and likelihood of alternate hypotheses.I probably don't need to caution the reader familiar with the literature that there is little material or written evidence to go on with respect to the Minoans; something the author observes as well but only belatedly in the last chapters of the work. For those less initiated, I would like to flag the author's most significant words: "perhaps," "possibly," "maybe," "should," "could," and "might." All of these modifiers are significant, and they encourage the reader to keep an open mind; in short, other interpretations than these are also possible.I've studied ancient history, including the Minoans, and have been to a number of sites that figured highly in my studies. It was almost a matter of "pilgrimage." One of the sites I went to was Knossos where I expected something of an epiphany; well, I had one but not that which I had expected.In treading the corridors and staircases of this very famous archaeological site, I noted that much of what was standing had been rebuilt, the modern materials composing it being abundantly apparent. This is as expected with archaeological reconstruction properly done. Seeing the vast degree to which the standing remains owed their existence to interpretations placed on them by Sir Arthur Evans, I was rather shocked. Admittedly such reconstructions are not based on nothing, but even what they are based on can be subject to preconceived ideas, personal biases, societal or cultural objectives, and other even less substantial influences. The very extent to which the site of Knossos was the result of interpretation and thus to such influences was what was surprising. This fact was very significant to me, since it is not always apparent from books on the topic, and books had been my primary resource on the culture until my visit. It made me realize how important an actual visit to an archaeological site is for anyone studying its history.Lest the uninitiated think that this type of introduced bias in writing about the past might well be said of any ancient civilization, I would point out that there are far fewer contentions over Egyptian history, where archaeology and written history are able to reinforce and correct one another. This is not the case with Minoan Crete, where although there are written documents in at least four different scripts, their type and frequency are not always helpful to the historian. One can learn something about a person from their laundry and grocery lists perhaps, but not enough to say one actually "knows" them and definitely not enough to say one knows what they "think" or "mean."I welcome the new perspective and lament the lack of newer field research.

I enjoyed this book and found it well worth the cost. The author has very interesting theories which he presents in a very logical manner. It really makes no difference if you accept his theories or not, the book is still well written and informative. "Minoans: Life in Bronze Age Crete" offers a different perspective on the archaeological evidence. It is up to the reader to decide if they accept the theories drawn from the evidence.

A look at a very interesting culture.

I expected an accurate review of Minoan civilization but instead found an odd seemingly out-of-touch and misleading review. I have no gripe with the author wishing to emphasize the religious aspect of Minoan civilization but he actually conflates Minoan and Mycenaean things in a most misleading way. These two peoples were quite distinct and to use late Linear B texts as explanations of early Minoan culture is quite misleading - he even quotes such texts from Pylos as allegedly shedding light on Minoan ways. In one place he even states that the wars between city-states in Crete in Roman times shed ligth on their alleged interactions 1000 years earlier! Not only does this book contribute nothing new to our knowledge of Minoan civilization it is actually a negative contribution regarding understanding by the interested layman. Consult the works of McEnroe and Fitton if you are really interested in the Minoans.

The first publication of this type, known to me, which so multifaciously represents the culture of Minoan Crete. The only disadvantage is the lack of references to the myths associated with Crete

a good book on this subject. Heavy on details, light on narrative

I found the book very informative and instructive.

This is one of the best guides to an ancient culture that I have read. I significantly enhanced our understanding of the culture but also stimulated a greet deal of discussion amongst us. We were enthused to find out more about early Cretan culture, lifestyle, social structure, religion and art. Excellent.

A little dry, and with this type of history there is always a lot of "it may be assumed" and "so and so thinks" and a shame no colour plates, but a good history neverthless

Some very persuasive research that overturns Arthur Evans view that he had discovered the "palace" of the fabled King Minos. Castleden relates room by room a much more believable picture of a temple, and a temple society.

The book is truly great!

Castledens "Minoans: Life in Bronze Age Crete", ist, obwohl auf dem Stand der frühen Neunziger, von ungebrochener Aktualität. Das Buch beschreibt auf archäologischer Basis und unter Seitenblicken auf die mykenische Gesellschaft der Linear B-Tafeln die Lebensweisen, die Berufsgruppen, das militärisch-politische System, die landwirtschaftlich-kulinarischen Gewohnheiten und die religiösen Vorstellungen der bronzezeitlich-minoischen Kultur Kretas und einiger Stützpunkte in der Ägäis in fesselder Weise unter Nutzung von eloquentem Englisch. Es enthält eine Schlüssige Kapitelgliederung und eine große Anzahl schwarzweißer Abbildungen, die dem Verständnis sehr zuträglich sind.Positiv hervorzuheben ist auch, das Castleden es wagt, die über 100 Jahre alten Theorien von Evans, dem Entdecker der minoischen Kultur, kritisch zu hinterfragen und die freizügigen,unkriegerischen Minoer unter ihrem König Minos, wie Evans sie sah, ins Reich der archäologischen Legende zu verweisen.Castleden gelingt es in "Minoans: Life in Bronze Age Crete" ein fesselndes Panorama der bronzezeitlichen Gesellschaft zu entwickeln, eben so lebendig wie in Donadonis  Der Mensch des Alten Ägypten. , Schachners  Hattuscha. Die Hauptstadt der Hethiter: Auf der Suche nach dem sagenhaften Großreich der Hethiter  oder Bryces  Life and Society in the Hittite World . Allen, die vor englischsprachigen Geschichtsbüchern nicht zurückschrecken, und all jenen, die ein detaillierteres Bild der minoischen Kultur suchen, kann dieses Buch nur wärmstens empfohlen werden. Der Mensch des Alten Ägypten.Hattuscha. Die Hauptstadt der Hethiter: Auf der Suche nach dem sagenhaften Großreich der HethiterLife and Society in the Hittite World