Palaces of Minoan Crete

Europe's first civilization, founded by the Minoans on Crete, covered a span of 2000 years from about 3000 to 1000 BC. From small and sometimes incidental beginnings the Minoans developed a rich culture which greatky influenced the Bronze Age Aegean world. In this clear and authoritative guide are discussed all the palaces and the grand town and country houses of Minoan Crete. Beginning with an account of how the palatial civilization came about, Cadogan looks at the significance of the palaces for the economy, culture, religion and social life of the Minoans. He then takes us round, site by site, the great Minoan buildings, from Knossos with its palace and town houses to the simpler manor houses in the country which reveal a way of life extremely rare in ancient Greece. We are led into places normally neglected, shown how archaeologists have excavated the buildings and given clues to reconstructing them in the imagination. The author has excavated in Crete since 1960 and has a deep love for the island, a sense of which is conveyed in his writing...