Published by the Swedish Institute at Athens. Distributed by Astrom Editions.

The Minoan Thalassocracy. Myth and reality. Proceedings of the Third International Symposium at the Swedish Institute in Athens, 31 May–5 June, 1982

Edited by Robin Hägg & Nanno Marinatos

Abstract

“The Minoan Thalassocracy”, first mentioned by Thucydides, is generally assumed to have consisted of some kind of domination exercised by Minoan Crete in the period of the new palaces (c. 1600-1450 B.C.) over the Cycladic islands and possibly parts of the Greek mainland and the coast of Asia Minor. Various aspects of this phenomenon are dealt with in 31 papers read at an international conference in Athens; the papers are followed by transcripts of the discussion of the symposium. The papers are arranged in five groups, discussing (1) the myth and reality of the Minoan Thalassocracy, including the internal Cretan preconditions for its coming into existence; (2) the possible p of an early thalassocracy already in the Middle Bronze Age (period of the old palaces); (3) the relations between Crete and the mainland, esp. the Peloponnese; (4) the relations of Crete with the Cycladic islands and the coast of Asia Minor; and (5) some aspects of the history of the Eastern Mediterranean c. 1550-1375 B.C., especially with a view to the relations between Crete (Keftiu) and Egypt. Most of the papers are concerned with one or several of three main aspects: (a) methodology, discussing terminology, definitions and criteria relevant for the analysis of the evidnce; (b) presentation and scrutiny of the archaeological evidence, old and new; and (c ) attempts at a historical interpretation of “the reality” of the Minoan Thalassocracy. 

Bibliographical information

Robin Hägg & Nanno Marinatos, eds, The Minoan Thalassocracy. Myth and reality. Proceedings of the Third International Symposium at the Swedish Institute in Athens, 31 May–5 June, 1982 (Skrifter utgivna av Svenska institutet i Athen, 4°, 32), Jonsered 1984. ISSN 0586-0539. ISBN 9789185086788.

Alternative series title:
Acta Instituti Atheniensis Regni Sueciae series in 4˚, XXXII