Themes - Summary 3

Question 1

Early Minoan ceramics

Answer 1

Already high quality in the EM period. Two main styles produced in this period: Agios Onouphrios and Vassiliki. Agios onouphrios - white slip, covered with linear/geometric motifs in a reddish/brownish slip that emphasize the vase’s shape. Vassiliki - dipped into a reddish/brownish slip and immediately fired - motifs appear accidental. Most popular shape for both: the beak-spouted jug.

Question 2

Middle Minoan ceramics

Answer 2

Kamares - the finest ceramics to be produced on the island. Palace workshops - Knossos, Phaistos, Mallia. Most sophisticated from Phaistos. Extremely thin walls and painted abstract motifs; some have decoration in relief. Exported to Egypt; successful pottery.

Question 3

Late Minoan ceramics

Answer 3

Marine and Floral ware. Reflect popularity of natural theme. The more popular the two styles become, the less sophisticated become the interrelation between images and surface of vase.

Question 4

Minoan wall paintings

Answer 4

There are never human figures on Minoan ceramics, only on wall paintings. Usually made in a technique combining buon fresco and fresco secco. Inspired by nature and strong interest in human beings (women in white and men in red). Bright colors

Question 5

Minoan stone vases and luxury items

Answer 5

Preferred stone - steatite (broke easily however). Rock crystal and alabaster vases rare, but were there. Faience, bronze, ivory often used for figurines. Gold used for jewelry.

Question 6

Mycenaean pottery

Answer 6

Never reaches the virtuosity of Minoan, but unique in some ways: warrior kraters, which show interest in human figures in this medium and war. Adopted marine style; ended up becoming a degenerated and oversimplified version of Minoan marine.

Question 7

Mycenaean weapon production

Answer 7

Perhaps the only area in which the Mycenaeans surpassed the Minoans production-wise. Elegant inlaid decoration and accuracy.

Question 8

Mycenaean wall painting

Answer 8

Bright colors like Minoan, but more formalized concept of human body and disinterest in background/depictions of nature. Combo of buon fresco and fresco secco. Interest in woman figures like Minoan, and adopted white and red skin colors as well. However, more interest in depicting battles.