The Palace of Knossos
original content © simplycreteholidays ltd 2006
Simply Crete Holidays
Quality Villas, Apartments, Traditional Cottages and Hotels in Crete

    The incredible remains of the Palace of Knossos lie some 5km south of
    Herakleion. Excavated by the British archaeologist, Sir Arthur Evans, it is an
    amazing site which shows the degree of technical ability which was achieved
    on the island by 1900 B.C.
    The civilisation, which Evans called Minoan, after the legendary King Minos
    of Crete, dominated trade in the eastern mediterranean and colonised other
    islands. Many of the frescos and artefacts are to be found in the
    Archaeological Museum of Herakleion.

    Many legendary tales are associated with Knossos. The complex building,
    with its maze like corridors, is believed to be the origin of the Labyrinth. The
    Minoan symbol of power was the double headed axe and this was called the
    Labrys, which may have given rise to
    the name.

    The bull was another potent symbol in this society and the half-man/half-bull
    Minotaur lived in the labyrinth and was reputedly fed 7 youths and 7 maidens
    from Athens once every year. This may be a reference to the taxes paid by
    Athens to the, then, more powerful, Minoan society.

    Daedelus and his son Icarus were imprisoned in the Labyrinth, from which
    they escaped by making wings from feathers and wax. Icarus flew too close to
    the sun and the wax on his wings melted, resulting in his death. The origin of
    this story is uncertain but may be a fable warning that man should not try to
    communicate with the sun god without the intermediary of the priests. It
    could also be a lesson that older men are wiser than foolish youths.

    It has now been established that the Minoans had a working solar and lunar
    calendar and could predict eclipses as far back as 1700 B.C

    The fate of this advanced civilisation is unclear. Some theories suggest that
    the devastating Tsunami caused by the volcanic eruption, in 1450 B.C, on the
    nearby island of Santorini and the resulting ash in the atmosphere caused a
    "nuclear winter" effect. The society was unable to grow crops or keep
    animals and became weaker. They were then invaded by Mycaenean forces
    from the mainland, who burned their palaces, and the refugees may have fled
    to the middle-east where they are identified by some as the biblical
    Philistines (of Goliath fame).

    Whatever the truth is, (and we are still no closer to deciphering their written
    language ), the Minoans were one of the most advanced ancient civilisations,
    trading with the ancient Egyptians and possibly developing the techniques
    used for mummification