Meet the Minoans Trivia Quiz

Answer: Crete

Minoan settlements have been found on a number of Greek islands but the culture arose and was based on Crete. In fact, the term "Minoan" was coined by archaeologist Arthur Evans in honour of King Minos, the legendary king of Crete.

Answer: Bronze Age

Based on pottery styles, the Minoan age can be divided into Early, Middle and Late Minoan periods. An alternate system of relative dating based on the development of 'palaces' is also used by archaeologists.

Answer: Knossos

Knossos consisted of some 1300 living spaces, work rooms and storage areas enclosing a central courtyard. It was built and rebuilt gradually over time before being finally abandoned some time after 1300 BCE. It served as the political and ceremonial centre of Minoan culture and may have some association with the labyrinth of the Minotaur myth.

Answer: Pigment is applied to wet plaster

Many of the Minoan frescoes, particularly those on the outer walls, employed this method. The wet plaster absorbs and fixes the pigment to prevent fading. Details can then be added later to the dry surface. Scenes depicted on these frescoes range from natural landscapes and marine life, festivals, rituals and sports.

Answer: Marine Style

Typical of the Marine Style were highly detailed, fresco-like images of sea creatures against a background of rocks and seaweed that covered the entire surface of the pot.

Answer: False

There is evidence of several types of script used by the Minoans. Simple hieroglyphics progressed to an outline-form called Linear A, which was replaced in the Late Minoan period by Linear B. Linear B is associated with Mycenaean culture and appears to be an early form of Greek. It was deciphered in 1953.

Answer: Female

Although little is really known of Minoan religion, it was believed to be both matriarchal and polytheistic with a variety of goddesses represented in Minoan art. A few male deities did exist but appear to be of only minor significance. Bulls also featured prominently in art and may have been sacred but it is not known whether the 'Bull Leaping' depicted on frescoes was a religious ritual or simply a sport.

Answer: Olives

A variety of grains, vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices were grown and processed on Crete but tomatoes, quinoa and bananas were not known in the Mediterranean at this time.

Answer: Copper

The Minoans were sea-farers and traded over considerable distances. Their major trade routes included Syria, Asia Minor and Egypt.

Answer: Conquest by Alexander the Great.

It is not definitely known what caused the collapse of Minoan civilisation but it is probably the result of a number of factors in combination. Proposed consequences of the Thera eruption have included tsunami and ash fallout hampering local agricultural activities and the loss of a significant settlement on Thera itself. With trade in bronze declining, a weakened Minoan culture may have been open to invasion from the Mycenaean Greeks. Alexander the Great had not been born at this time.