Question

Mycenaean Civilization Is Heavily Militaristic, with Heavily Fortified Citadels, While Minoan Civilization Is Largely Peaceful and Its Cities Are Not Heavily Fortified:

A) Cultural exchange influenced both civilizations
B) Minoans were a subculture within Mycenaeans
C) Mycenaeans were influenced by Minoan culture
D) Both civilizations existed in isolation

Answer 1

The Minoan civilization was peaceful and trade-oriented, lacking fortifications, while the Mycenaean civilization was militaristic with heavily fortified citadels. The Mycenaeans likely conquered and absorbed the Minoans, resulting in cultural exchange that influenced later Greek civilization.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Minoan civilization and the Mycenaean civilization were two distinct cultures that flourished during the Bronze Age. The Minoans, based on the island of Crete, were known for their peaceful, trade-oriented society and lack of fortifications in their palace complexes. In contrast, the Mycenaeans of mainland Greece were characterized by their heavily fortified citadels and militaristic society, whose exploits were later celebrated in epic poems like The Iliad and The Odyssey. This distinct contrast had a basis in the different ways these societies engaged with their environments and interacted with other cultures.

While the Minoans developed a merchant marine to trade with civilizations such as Egyptians and Hittites, the Mycenaeans fortified their positions on high ground and engaged not only in trade but also in plunder and conquest. The architectural remains of the Mycenaeans reflect their war-like nature and social hierarchy, with cast-like citadels ruling over poorer farming populations.