DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7382#0030
mediate Period is illustrated by rude scarabs at Marathokephalon and Platanos, Agia
Triada and Gournes.
The equation of the Middle Minoan Period with the Middle Kingdom in Egypt is
however doubly substantiated. Middle Minoan II polychrome pottery with the
" racquet-and-ball" pattern—so-called Kamares ware—has been discovered at Lahun,
Harageh and Abydos in undoubted Xllth Dynasty contexts.1 In Crete the discovery
of the Xllth Dynasty statue of User at Knossos, and of a Middle Kingdom scarab at
Platanos, both in Middle Minoan deposits, put the matter beyond doubt. In addition
is the curious fact that during the Xllth Dynasty, Amenemhat III—the Lamar^ of
the Greeks—built the so-called Labyrinth of Hawara, while it was during the Middle
Minoan Period that the Labyrinths of Crete—the great Palaces of Knossos and
Phaestos—were begun.2
The transition period was a troubled one in both countries. The Hyksos horde
overran Egypt; Crete seems to have suffered from a severe earthquake which certainly
destroyed much of the Palace of Knossos. Then comes the splendid dawn of the
Empire in Egypt and the Late Minoan Period in Crete, an age, on both sides, of magni-
ficence, not perhaps comparable with the simpler and more tasteful periods before, but
nevertheless very imposing. During this time intercourse between the two countries
was very close. We hear of the Keftians ;3 they are seen bearing gifts to Thothmes III—
tribute he called it. The alabaster vases, scarabs and beads of the XVIIIth Dynasty
become common all over Crete. The name of Tiyi, wife of Amenhotep III, has found
its way to Agia Triada; the great prince buried in the Royal Tomb at Isopata must
needs have many Egyptian vases for his welfare after death.
There is only one real difficulty: How is it that no Late Minoan II pottery has been
found in Egypt? Perhaps the answer is that Late Minoan II was only a local blaze
at Knossos, and that no other part of Crete was affected.4 This will also explain why at
Phaestos, at Agia Triada and at Gournia the Late Minoan III Period follows almost
immediately on Late Minoan I.
Crete fell before the Achaeans.5 Perhaps the fine craftsmen fled to Egypt and found
refuge at Akhenaten's court, there to enliven the painters and potters.6 Perhaps they
added that touch of informality which is the key-note of the reign.
In return we have nothing, until the Achaeans are overthrown in their turn and
Crete is in the throes of the Geometric Age. Then the adventurers and the pirates
1 See Petrie, Illahun, Kahun and Gurob; Engelbach and Gunn, Harageh.
2 See below under Knossos, and H. R. Hall in J.H.S. xxv. p. 320 ff.
3 For an attack on the identification of the Keftians with Crete see Wainwright in Liverpool Annals, VI. p. 24.
General opinion however is still in favour of the Keftians being at any rate mainly Cretans.
4 See P. ofM. 1. p. 29.
5 See above, p. xviii, note 4.
6 For their influence see Frankfort in Mural Paintings of El 'Amarneh, chapter i.
4
Triada and Gournes.
The equation of the Middle Minoan Period with the Middle Kingdom in Egypt is
however doubly substantiated. Middle Minoan II polychrome pottery with the
" racquet-and-ball" pattern—so-called Kamares ware—has been discovered at Lahun,
Harageh and Abydos in undoubted Xllth Dynasty contexts.1 In Crete the discovery
of the Xllth Dynasty statue of User at Knossos, and of a Middle Kingdom scarab at
Platanos, both in Middle Minoan deposits, put the matter beyond doubt. In addition
is the curious fact that during the Xllth Dynasty, Amenemhat III—the Lamar^ of
the Greeks—built the so-called Labyrinth of Hawara, while it was during the Middle
Minoan Period that the Labyrinths of Crete—the great Palaces of Knossos and
Phaestos—were begun.2
The transition period was a troubled one in both countries. The Hyksos horde
overran Egypt; Crete seems to have suffered from a severe earthquake which certainly
destroyed much of the Palace of Knossos. Then comes the splendid dawn of the
Empire in Egypt and the Late Minoan Period in Crete, an age, on both sides, of magni-
ficence, not perhaps comparable with the simpler and more tasteful periods before, but
nevertheless very imposing. During this time intercourse between the two countries
was very close. We hear of the Keftians ;3 they are seen bearing gifts to Thothmes III—
tribute he called it. The alabaster vases, scarabs and beads of the XVIIIth Dynasty
become common all over Crete. The name of Tiyi, wife of Amenhotep III, has found
its way to Agia Triada; the great prince buried in the Royal Tomb at Isopata must
needs have many Egyptian vases for his welfare after death.
There is only one real difficulty: How is it that no Late Minoan II pottery has been
found in Egypt? Perhaps the answer is that Late Minoan II was only a local blaze
at Knossos, and that no other part of Crete was affected.4 This will also explain why at
Phaestos, at Agia Triada and at Gournia the Late Minoan III Period follows almost
immediately on Late Minoan I.
Crete fell before the Achaeans.5 Perhaps the fine craftsmen fled to Egypt and found
refuge at Akhenaten's court, there to enliven the painters and potters.6 Perhaps they
added that touch of informality which is the key-note of the reign.
In return we have nothing, until the Achaeans are overthrown in their turn and
Crete is in the throes of the Geometric Age. Then the adventurers and the pirates
1 See Petrie, Illahun, Kahun and Gurob; Engelbach and Gunn, Harageh.
2 See below under Knossos, and H. R. Hall in J.H.S. xxv. p. 320 ff.
3 For an attack on the identification of the Keftians with Crete see Wainwright in Liverpool Annals, VI. p. 24.
General opinion however is still in favour of the Keftians being at any rate mainly Cretans.
4 See P. ofM. 1. p. 29.
5 See above, p. xviii, note 4.
6 For their influence see Frankfort in Mural Paintings of El 'Amarneh, chapter i.
4