Knossos and the Herakleion Museum [antikvár]

THE PALACE OF KNOSSOS General Survey The epicentre of the refined Minoan civilisation of the palatial period, which flourished in Crete during the 2nd millennium BC and was one of the great civilisations of the ancient world, are the four palaces: Knossos, Phaistos, Mallia and Zakros. These impressive edifices were built in around 1900 BC in geographically apposite locations, ensuring direct connection with the rich rural hinterland and the important sea routes of the Aegean and Mediterranean. Smaller "palaces" existed too, seat of the local governor, such as that at Gournia. The palaces were both the creation and necessity of a centralised economy and social organisation, apparently headed by a "Priest king" of which the legendary Minős, known from classical Greek tradition, was the prototype. It has alsó been suggested that the several palaces presuppose several kings, certainly without any mutual political rivalry and probably with somé degree of independence, under the hegemony of the king of Knossos who may have had a religious supremacy. Whatever the case, the leading role of Knossos in religion, as well as in the island's administration, legislature and economy is quite obvious. The large palaces served many purposes. They should not be compared with those of recent times and regarded only as the residence of the king, his family, courtiers, artists and other servant personnel, as well as functioning as the axis of the sophisticated life of a highly stratified society such as that of prehistoric Crete surely was. The Minoan palaces, surrounded by opulent villás and an extensive úrban community were alsó the seat of administration and justice, as well as important commercial and manufacturing centres and nodes of control of the economic and productive activities of a wider area. Stored in the palaces' vast magazines were not only goods destined for local consumption by their royal and other residents, but mainly produce for redistribution and trade, income from "taxes" which were, of course, levied in kind since money was still unknown. The palaces were at the same time workshops, for all significant forms of art were produced there. 3