Final answer:
The Minoans were a peaceful seafaring civilization known for trade, while the Mycenaeans were warlike and engaged in both trade and raiding. The Minoans ruled under a single government, while the Mycenaeans were ruled by a single ruler and built fortified citadels. Despite their differences, the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures influenced each other significantly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Minoans were a seafaring civilization based on the island of Crete and primarily known for their trade and peaceful nature. They developed a prosperous merchant marine to trade with neighboring civilizations such as the Egyptians and Hittites. The Mycenaeans, on the other hand, were warlike and engaged in both trade and raiding. They built citadels on high, rocky outcroppings and were celebrated in epic poems like The Iliad and The Odyssey for their military exploits.
In terms of governance, the Minoans ruled under a single government with their capital at Knossos, while the Mycenaeans were ruled by a single ruler and their citadels were centers of power and administration.
Despite their differences, the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures influenced each other significantly. The Mycenaeans adopted the Minoan writing system, known as Linear A, as the basis of their own script, Linear B. Overall, the Minoans and Mycenaeans were both important ancient Greek civilizations, with the Minoans being known for their trade and peaceful nature and the Mycenaeans for their warlike culture and military prowess.