Final answer:
The Minoan civilization, based on the island of Crete, was characterized by unfortified palaces and extensive maritime trade, while the Mycenaean civilization on the mainland was known for fortified palace complexes and a warlike culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
Geographic Characteristics Affecting Ancient Greek Civilizations of Minoa and Mycenae
The ancient Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations were heavily influenced by their geographic settings. The Minoans, residing on the island of Crete, were a seafaring people that built a robust trade network across the Mediterranean, exporting goods like wine and oil while importing resources such as cedar logs and copper. Their palaces, like the famed Knossos, were unfortified, which speaks to their relatively peaceful maritime dominance and the protection afforded by their island geography. On the other hand, the Mycenaean Greeks were based on the mainland and known for their fortified palace complexes located in Mycenae, Tiryns, Thebes, Pylos, and Sparta. Their culture was more warlike, and they engaged in both trade and raiding activities. Unlike the Minoans, they were divided into separate kingdoms and had to contend more directly with the threats of invasion, which influenced them to fortify their cities.
The Aegean Sea was central to both civilizations, facilitating their extensive trade networks with other cultures, including the Egyptians and Hittites. This connection to the sea is an indispensable aspect of their development and prosperity. The eventual conquest of the Minoans by the Mycenaeans suggests that the latter were militarily stronger, possibly due to the demands of their more hostile mainland environment.