Knossos

City Information Chart

Name

Knossos 1 2 3 4 5

Location

Crete.  Modern Greece.

Chronology

Minoan Timeline 1 2 3 4 5

6000BC
Evidence of neolithic settlement at Knossos site.

2600-2000BC
Last stage of the neolithic period - or 'Minion era'.  Pottery and metal working (copper and bronze).

2000BC (from)
Minoan era.
Named after the legendary King Minos.

2000 - 1700BC
Trade in the Aegean, with Asia Minor, Egypt and Africa.  
Minoan Crete emerges as a sea power.  
Import, processing, and export of metal.
Trade in saffron.

1900BC -  First palace built on remains of neolithic settlement at Knossos. 

1700 - 1450BC
The Minoan palaces at Knossos are destroyed (most likely by earthquake or possibley invasion ) - about 1700bc.
The main Cretan centres are rebuilt - 1700bc onwards.
The Great Palace is built at Knossos.   It has 1400 rooms and covers 20000 square metres.
Hieroglyphics are used.
Linear A writing is used.
Knossos is the centre of Minoan influence and power.

1645/1630BC -  Thera Eruption (through radio carbon dating).
Destruction to coastal areas through tsunami.
Plant life destroyed through volcanic ash causing starvation.

1550BC -  Thera eruption (popular alternative dating).

1500BC -  Linear B writing is used  (indicating cultural exchange with the Mycenaeans).

1450BC -  Catastrophic event.  
The main centres of Crete are destroyed - by earthquake or invasion.  
The Thera event is often cited at this time.

1450 - 1420BC
Crete conquered by the Mycenaeans.

1375BC -  Collapse of the palace at Knossos.

1200BC -  Knossos remains an administrative centre until this time.

1100 - 1000BC  
Dorian invaders (who use iron) dominate the area. 
The gradual proliferation of iron.

300BC -  The Highland Alliance.
Six city states ally with one another.
Other cities ally with city states on mainland Greece.
Political instability.

217 - 216BC 
Crete allies itself with the Macedonians. 

2nd Century BC
Crete used as a base by pirates, who raid Roman cities.

100 - 67BC 
Minoan obscurity.
Crete is the centre for production of 'pithoi' earthenware jars.

67BC - 395AD
Crete becomes a Roman colony/province.

People

Minoan 1 2 3

Minoan Women 1 2

Religion

Religion  1 2 

Snake Goddess 

Population

At its peak, Knossos had a population of over 100000 people.

Society and Economy

Society and Economy 1 2

Social stratification

Cultural comparison 1 2 3 4 5

Trade

Sport

Bull-Leaping

Technologies

Irrigation and water management   1 2 3

Waterways  1

City utilities  1 2

Drainage at Knossos

Agriculture 1 2  

Metallurgy 1

Architecture 1 2 3 4

Construction  1

Astronomy

Cartography  1

Scientific Advancement  1

A system of laws 1

Numerals

Mathematics

Writing -  Linear A ,  Linear B

Other

Knossos is the site of the legendary labyrinth and minotaur.