HistoryExtra podcast The Minoans: everything you wanted to know
28 snips
Jul 26, 2025 Ellen Adams, Reader at King's College London and author of 'The Minoans: Lost Civilizations', dives into the captivating world of the Minoan civilization. She discusses their impressive advancements, including flushing toilets and intricate social hierarchies. The conversation uncovers the cultural ties between the Minoans and the Mycenaeans, while also exploring their intriguing religious practices and the mysteries surrounding their scripts. Adams highlights the significance of Minoan society and its eventual decline, offering a rich perspective on this ancient civilization.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Minoan Writing Systems
- Minoans used several scripts, including Linear A and Cretan hieroglyphics, which are undeciphered. - The later Mycenaeans' Linear B script is an early form of Greek, deciphered in 1952.
Key Minoan Archaeological Sites
- Knossos is the largest Minoan palace but others like Malia, Zacros, and Festos existed. - Term "palace" is debated, but useful if assumptions of centralized royal rule are avoided.
Minoan Political and Ritual Power
- Minoan political structure likely was hierarchical but dispersed, linking politics closely with religion. - Evidence suggests ideological control with less emphasis on warfare than contemporaneous civilizations.
