Who were the Minoans? (Rise & Fall of the Minoan Civilization)

[@EpimetheusHistory]

Additional interesting notes: Minoan chronology is very unstable. It is constantly being refined (some early chronologies are very off from the modern ones, which still have no basic consensus) There are some very different scholarly opinions concerning the dating of natural disasters...this makes the delineation between the different ages quite different depending on when an earthquake or Thera’s eruption took place. Traditionally Thera’s eruption was estimated near 1500 BC not long before the Mycenaean conquest. Most recent estimates for Thera’s eruption are in the neighborhood of 1600-ish BC, meaning that Minoan Crete had another period of re-growth and relative prosperity that lasted for approximately a hundred years after Thera erupted. The main deathnail the Thera eruption caused seems like it could be the Mycenaeans independence and the build up of naval power, while the Minoans were busy rebuilding. Also Thera’s eruption was viewed as a more direct cause of the Minoan collapse, in contrast now it is generally viewed as the first domino that triggered a chain reaction that led to their demise.

[@just1689]

> Minoan chronology is very unstable I was going to say, hahaha. Glad you haven't been swarmed by the armchair gang yet 😂

[@albertocarrion8341]

AT THIS STAGE I AM GOING BACK AA!AAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[@tsarofshadows1347]

Your videos on the ancient world & bronze age are amazing, they satisfy this unquenchable thirst I have for learning about this time period. You have quickly become my top favorite channel for anything history on KZbin and I thank you dearly.

[@zhcultivator]

Great video :)

[@iamnoone348]

Hi Epimetheus... I would like to suggest you to read, (Transforming Manila: China, Islam and Spain in a Global Port City) by Ethan Hawkley.

[@cekan14]

The Minoan Civilization is probably one of my favourites of Antiquity, because of how fabulous and, at the same time, how misterious their culture seems to us.

[@johnsmith-ir1ne]

Minoans, Hatti, Elam, hurrians, mitanni Indo Aryans... So many unsolved mysteries

[@Pitbull00000]

You know this is way before antiquity right?

[@cekan14]

@@Pitbull00000 But Antiquity began with the invention of writing, no?

[@Bawhoppen]

The Etruscans and Minoans both fascinate me

[@cekan14]

@@Bawhoppen Indeed. As a matter of fact, the word "person" is one of the very few ones that we conserve from the long lost Etruscan language.

[@FlashPointHx]

Awesome video! Still remember when I when to visit the palace of Knossos. The ruins were extensive. Can totally understand why people would think of it as a labyrinth.

[@calebspain4828]

You sir have an amazing channel and are greatly underrated !

[@bluestar9638]

Interesting Island, I travelled to and lived and worked there for about a year, sailed to Thira and the Cyclades. A fascinating place full of myth and history. It was the place of the birth of European civilization. Zeus made love to Europa there under a tree which never loses its leaves in winter.

[@thalmoragent9344]

@@bluestar9638 Is there actually a tree there that doesn't loose its leaves there, like a Pine Tree?

[@bluestar9638]

@@thalmoragent9344 It is a deciduous tree which normally would lose leaves in fall and winter. Other trees of the same variety in that area in fact lose their leaves. Only that particular tree remains green year round! (It is not a pine tree of any kind.) I have witnessed that and this was also confirmed by local inhabitants on the island. If I recall correctly it is in a southern region of the island called Phaistos....

[@thalmoragent9344]

@@bluestar9638 Interesting, must be an old tree. Any scientists study the tree to find out how it's been around for so long without loosing leaves? In a patch of greatly fertile soil I imagine?

[@marcello7781]

The channel that made me appreciate the Bronze Age more than I ever thought.

[@EpimetheusHistory]

That is awesome! Glad to hear :)

[@juliannasreddin5226]

A fascinating era indeed

[@RexGalilae]

Watching mysterious civilizations with little to no cultural ties to the modern world rise from nothing is kinda fantasy-like. Excellent escapism

[@scintillam_dei]

The Bronze Age Collapse was caused by seven years of famine as the Bible says. See my serires crushing atheist myths, and covering the politically-incorrect history of atheism. I welcome atheists to find flaws in my arguments, though I know all they can do is lie, insult and run away, like in my video where I proved the big bang is a lie, in a debate with an atheist fanatic.

[@superlegomaster55]

My second favourite historical period!

[@tsopmocful1958]

A civilisation that emerged in a beautiful location, that put a high value upon beauty, influenced other people at the time with beauty, and even just the fragmentary legacy of their beauty still deeply impresses us thousands of years later.

[@T.R.A.I.N.I.N.G.]

their aesthetics was influenced by near eastern cultures and egypt

[@T.R.A.I.N.I.N.G.]

their aesthetics was influenced by near eastern cultures and egypt

[@HAYAOLEONE]

@@T.R.A.I.N.I.N.G. influence can mean anything

[@bartbannister394]

Go to Crete. Like landing on Mars, (if it had good weather and oceans)

[@robinac6897]

The beaches are stony.

[@perseusofmacedon6918]

I am from Crete (land of Minoans) and this is very interesting.

[@thewarriorfrog]

Hi Minoan

[@Omni_Shambles]

Hello, I love to conquer and secure your land when playing video games. It is very interesting.

[@alexvsergeev]

Where is your palace located?

[@obabas80]

Another Cretan (Minoan) checking in. Crete is the most beautiful place on earth!

[@arolemaprarath6615]

Since the Minoans predates the entity of the Hellenes, the Minoan Civilisation isn't part of the Greek history.

[@comedylongpantsgamer3608]

I am honestly awed by the amount of work given to your documentary on the Minoans. Like seriously, I've been delving deep into the Bronze and early Iron Age by watching you, Kings and Generals, Cogito, and ect.(It's a long list which might boggle even my own mind). And honestly, I like the new style of motion and just videos of water and the coastal areas in the introduction. It really brings up the sea vibe when it comes to the Minoans.

[@darthcheesecake3392]

Glad to see a new video from you my dude. As usual seems excellent! I'm actually thinking of running a tabletop game based around the Bronze Age Collapse and your videos were some of the first things that sparked my interest in the period!

[@EpimetheusHistory]

Awesome man! Sounds fun :)

[@maggotroot]

Make sure to advertise here for us when it’s ready))

[@darthcheesecake3392]

@@maggotroot Oh! oh no. This isn't going to be a streamed game. I'd be far too nervous to put something up on youtube like that, and it'd probably be pretty boring viewing since I mostly use theater of the mind in place of tokens and other visual aides. I'm touched by the interest though!

[@devingunnels3251]

I've been wanting to try that, too. What system were you thinking of using?

[@darthcheesecake3392]

@@devingunnels3251 I'll likely use the Chronicles system. While the system itself is more properly focused on the supernatural it won't be too hard to adapt it to a more mundane historical setting. I briefly considered using the ASoIaF system but found it a bit clunky. For the uninitiated the Chronicles system is the base set that goes to games like Vampire the Requiem and its cohorts.

[@Bogey1022]

10 seconds in I had to pause to tell you how excited I am to see that footage with your art over it. Great job. I'm cised!!

[@EpimetheusHistory]

I spent the day traveling to the ocean and back to film the ocean and tide pools on my phone. Happy you like the finished product :)

[@meanders9221]

Minoans: "We will build back better!" Minoans: "Again!" Minoans: "Again." Minoans: "Screw it..."

[@shinsenshogun900]

Theseus barges in and would like to take a quest in the ruins

[@johnsmith-ir1ne]

Make Minoans sail again!

[@venom6885]

@@johnsmith-ir1ne minoans was brownie sea people's not white was north Africans hispanic

[@thetrolluminati9714]

@@venom6885 da hell, I can't understand what you wrote.

[@venom6885]

@@thetrolluminati9714 the 🐂 bull is in Spain celtic cultures new York Birmingham. France sea people's and Greek north Africans

[@IKeepItReal100]

Just discovered you like three days ago and I can't stop watching. I'm glad to see you're still active bro. Keep up the good work, sir!

[@johnsmith-ir1ne]

Seriously, his best work is literally the most recent 6 or so videos This guy's on a roll

[@magnusekenhjarta3436]

Love the Minoan civilization, and ever since I visited the Knossos Palace complex as a child, its creative and unique art has always stood out to me as a very special heritage of our species. Thank you Epimethius - your videos and story telling is on point as always?

[@hewhoshallnotbenamed5168]

Hell yeah, a new Epimetheus video! Good to have you back man!

[@achaeanmapping4408]

We just did a test on the Minoans and Myceneans at school a few days ago, and ive been getting into the bronze age era in Greece again, great timing!

[@CoffeeSuccubus]

The Minoans aren't Greek tho. They're completely separate.

[@niklask8753]

@@CoffeeSuccubus he said in greece not greek

[@kostask4747]

@@CoffeeSuccubus No. The Minoans are known as the first Greek civilization

[@myronkaisides6791]

If not Greeks then what?

[@niklask8753]

@@myronkaisides6791 Minoans. Who are of early european farmer ancestry

[@karolcebulski4472]

Welcom back and thank you, you've been missed. Keep doing what you are doing.

[@ravensthatflywiththenightm7319]

Waited a long time for this one

[@gediminasmorkys3589]

My main interest in Minoans was that their composite bowmen had the longest range in Age of Empires. Also, the Minotaur 🙂 Fun to hear something about their real history.

[@KirkFetkovic]

in later Greek periods, Cretan archers were renowned across the Mediterranean for their skill and fought as mercenaries for most notable empires of their day

[@xana6696]

There Minoans in Age Of Empire?

[@gediminasmorkys3589]

@@xana6696 yes 🙂

[@kellharris2491]

I loved my age of empire's

[@daniell1483]

The Minoans have been one of the most fascinating cultures ever for me. There is so much we don't know about them and who doesn't like a good mystery? I can't help but wonder how history would have changed had Crete not been hit by one disaster after another; the people then must have thought the world itself was set on their destruction. Or their gods, if they had any. Also fantastic art here, Epimetheus.

[@Zodroo_Tint]

Is it fascinating because you don't know anything about them or is it fascinating because what you know about them? Because if you find them fascinating just because you barelly know anything about them then why are not the Sea People or the elamites or everything non mesopotamian bronze age culture is more fascinating for you?

[@benz8681]

Love the art in your videos. Wish I could travel to Crete and see the sites. Love ancient history 📜

[@EpimetheusHistory]

Glad you like my drawings! :)

[@FLOABName]

“Where the males lived in communes training for war and bro-ing it out” Great description of the Spartans.

[@johnsmith-ir1ne]

It's really fascinating to see the parallels: so many societies the men do the difficult and dangerous jobs like hunting and fighting, while the women have the colorful clothes and looking pretty 😂 For some reason, I thought Minoans and Spartans wouldn't be so similar I suppose

[@Jobe-13]

“Bro-ing it out”

[@aintfalco7968]

and the women handled biniss

[@wiseonwords]

@@Jobe-13 - A euphemism for sodomy, no doubt!

[@pomtubes1205]

Wow... epimetheus, your videos just keep getting better! We're proud of you! Seriously, this is so impressive...

[@comingverysoon]

I know 495K may seem like a lot of subscribers to many, but your channel really should have 4-5 million because of the quality content. Thanks for another great video. Much appreciated.

[@paulheydarian1281]

Most people aren't that interested in ancient history. Best to focus on quality over quantity.

[@camm.2000]

Hay man, you should talk about historical events in the Bronze Age, like the creation of the wheel and it’s origins and the Trojan war, that is a future idea. I always like your Bronze Age videos, have a good day!

[@ObtuseGoose2]

There are many videos about Mycenae and Troy story

[@Zeyede_Seyum]

I thought it was a myth🤔

[@assyrianbetnahrian9574]

Assyria.

[@ObtuseGoose2]

@@assyrianbetnahrian9574 that’s Alexander

[@assyrianbetnahrian9574]

@@ObtuseGoose2 what's Alexander ?

[@Kagemusha08]

You're really leveling up your production! I especially like the explanation of why Bronze was so essential to the ancient world at 3:40 You break down and communicate history incredibly well.

[@diananievesavellanet]

OMG, YOUR POST IS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! I started following you a few years back. AND, I AM SOOOOOOOO happy I did. You're videos, your vast amount of work into each video, leave many other historians in THE DUST! 4 years of high school, 4 years in college & many years in private study. AND NOTHING I LEARNED, COMPARES TO YOUR TEACHING VIDEOS. Thank you seems, to me weak words--yet, I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR YOUR VIDEOS!!!🤗

[@pectenmaximus231]

This was an exceptional video. Succinct, and as ‘linear’ as possible while still noting areas of debate/uncertainty where appropriate. Also, really great work on finding/selecting the artworks or other relevant images that you bring on screen.

[@JustinianG]

Considering why you liked this vid I think you'll likely enjoy mine even more kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHjYdIaKprmUntU

[@MarcusAgrippa390]

The production values have seriously improved with this video. Kudos on a job well done sir!

[@royos-yaps]

I swear your content gets better quality and better everything per episode!

[@EpimetheusHistory]

THanks pollos! :)

[@jacobemrich1735]

Just wanted to say I've been a fan of the channel for a while and your editing and illustration has really improved, keep at it!

[@Replicaate]

The Minoans are so fascinating - we can infer so much just on what little remains they left, but there's so much we'll probably never know, barring time travel being invented. I guess that's why they've endured in our imaginations for so long, there's so much unknown that we have no option BUT to imagine.

[@k.c1126]

This was MUCH more interesting than the dry discussion we had when I was in school .... lol ... I'm still fascinated by the fact that their script has still not been deciphered. We need a neo-Rosetta Stone.

[@charlieboone1298]

Always excited when I get an Epimetheus notification :)

[@overipecanine1485]

At last. No more waiting. I love me my Minoan history!

[@kamikazesoviet]

Epinetheus, so glad to see you back after some time off. Love your videos, I could listen to them all day.

[@KTChamberlain]

I'm surprised that you didn't mention a funny little tidbit where the Minoans in Crete actually manufactured a pair of sandals, shipped to the actual Hammurabi in Babylon, and he sends them back, wanting a refund. Why'd he return them? Too small? Too last millennium? The world may never know.

[@someguy2744]

Must have been one of those Y shaped flip-flops. He specifically asked for normal sandals that arch over the whole foot.

[@yuriydiakunchak2400]

😮😮

[@yuriydiakunchak2400]

😅

[@geneberrocal3220]

He should've ordered them from the Amazons.

[@farazsworkshop]

Glad you recovered from you know what. And we have you producing these videos. Enjoying what Ive seen so far.

[@wernerhasenpusch8459]

Glad that you're back. 😃

[@EpimetheusHistory]

Thanks! 😃

[@SidheGaliza]

I love the Minoans, so seeing this video was up made my day! Very informative and your art just keeps getting better and better, but I have to admit, the "vitamin-d deficiency look" bit made me laugh way too hard. Great work as usual!

[@johnsmith-ir1ne]

It was a more gentle way of saying "albino mannequins" lol

[@whereswaldo5740]

So no tanning parlors? Hmmm.

[@rrocketman]

Brilliant, thank you. I have walked the ruins of Knossos and other remote sites in Crete and highly recommend it to everyone. Πολύ καλό βίντεο!

[@catto3504]

Always happy to wake up and see a new video in the feed!

[@joaosiqueira43]

I'm extremely fascinated by this civilization, and time period in general. I'm writing a rpg vaguely involving the Minoan Civilization right now. It was such a nice coincidence that this channel, that i enjoy so much, posted a video about them.

[@Alexs.2599]

@DOJA FOX They were not Black at all. They were a Mediterranean people with light olive skin. Crete is an island of that is a part of Europe.

[@Alexs.2599]

@DOJA FOX They were comparing their skin to theirs. North Africans were and for most part not Black. Greeks thought of their skin as best of both worlds. Not as paled skinned as Northerners, which they saw as weak, but not as dark as the civilizations to the south of them. Only Ethiopians, their ancient Abyssinian ancestors, Greeks described as black obviously. But not the Nile delta Egyptians or the Levant Phoenicians.

[@dootxdoot1943]

love your content man! I don't think I'm alone in saying we would love to see some longer form videos with even more details

[@TJ11692]

My favorite historian is back!

[@bradm.c.9569]

Another concise history video from Epimetheus!

[@BehemothsMargarita]

Highly interesting stuff, great work!

[@jacquiecotillard9699]

Love the use of b-roll, especially laying out the Palatial periods. Gorgeous

[@nickronin9618]

greetings from Crete around the world 🌍

[@NIDELLANEUM]

It feels so weird that I was researching about the Minoans for worldbuilding purposes and you posted a video about them. Time to watch it then

[@lymanbrown-whitehill2884]

Definitely a fascinating civilization. I'm a big fan of the novel The King Must Die, which is set in a fictionalized version of Minoan Crete.

[@alexmccullough1961]

Always a pleasure when a new epimetheus video comes out

[@randomvintagefilm273]

As a female, I think I would have enjoyed being a Minoan woman. I remember doing a research paper on their society in college and was impressed with their culture and the positions women held. They had lots of dolphins and sea life frescos painted on their walls.

[@daniels7907]

It actually makes a lot of sense in a heavily seafaring society. The best way for men to be able to sail, explore and trade was to have women assume control of land-based industry. This freed the men to take to the sea while the women kept business running back on Crete and in the palaces.

[@osmanbey8796]

@@daniels7907 Their demise was linked to that. Most societies where women were very influential ended up being wiped out entirely by more patriarchal societies which are just BETTER at organising strong, centralized and sophisticated states.

[@oceanplanet8160]

@@osmanbey8796 Pfft.

[@ernie.99]

@@osmanbey8796 how bout patriarchal societies stop waging wars and destroying everything 🤡

[@tahahagar7664]

@@ernie.99 I hope she sees this bro 😂👍🏽

[@PatrickFournierTheMusicMan]

this channel is a treasure trove of information about ancient history. Every Video im astounded by what i learn about the origins of civilization. Well worth every view!

[@TheWinterShadow]

Epimetheus, my history brother my history brother....well done! But more on the Minoans! We need more on the Minoans. Peace.

[@Godsglory777]

Thanks for all your hard work. I especially appreciate how you show the map as you describe these ancient bronze age civilizations. It really helps me to remember the geographical location of these civilizations while simultaneously remembering certain facts about them in connection with their geography. Great stuff!

[@mehdi-abdelalidahmani9744]

Great video. As always.

[@aaronlopez3585]

Epimetheus excellent video and congratulations on 500k Subscribers.

[@Warmaker01]

Seems very impressive with what the Minoans had. Weird how they essentially got along with each other on Crete to the point of unifying into a larger, stronger power. Usually any sort of unification almost always involved military conquest. They had such a strong thing going on that it took back-to-back natural disasters of such a high magnitude to do them in. Makes me wonder how much longer their civilization would have gone on without those disasters.

[@MeelisMatt]

I have a feeling they were spiritually and mentally on high level so they Made well calculated decisions that didn't damage their society for a long time.

[@Paethgoat]

Today I learned the meaning of your channel name. Such fascinating aspects of mythology that I missed growing up.

[@Mollywinelover]

Very interesting. In games I play starting on islands is the hardest way to start. Looking at civilizations that managed to expand always gives me the drive to start again as one

[@thenoblepoptart]

An island offers excellent protection from enemies, look at the people of Corsica and Sardinia, many living there bear the ancient ancestry of people who have been living on those islands longer than any other European has lived in any part of continental Europe, with a few exceptions.

[@RexGalilae]

It's quite the opposite, actually. Island civs are the best starting position for beginners as it gives them a protected, easily manageable piece of land. You don't have to fight wars to survive and can focus on tech and economy early on, only choosing to fight wars on your terms and on foreign soil with the seafaring mastery you've achieved all these years. We can see the same situation for the Minoans as well

[@jessklay8594]

Loved this! Now I need to watch the extended version & also the philistine vid

[@mihail6446]

My eastern Mediterranean ancestors. Hello from Greece 🧿💙

[@N1RKW]

Excellent video! Thank you for making such an easy to digest history of the Minoans, I enjoyed it very much.

[@Artur_M.]

Superb video and expert usage of the 'Godiva hair' trope (supplement by snakes and axes) for censorship. Oh, the Minoan fashion sense. 😉

[@edwelndiobel1567]

I love your art/animations and voice, they are very unique. Dont ever change it!

[@k00lkidz4]

Babe wake up, the new Epimetheus video dropped

[@Tekmirion]

Respected and very well presented Epimetheus! Congruts!

[@Matteus2109]

It honestly kills me knowing how much we'll NEVER know about this culture, along with other cultures from history.

[@dbetaki8846]

It’s how ancient Greek civilization started

[@Calyrekt]

Great video, one of the most interesting histories you've covered yet I think!

[@MMFan2004]

Hey, you came back. Thank you for returned Epimetheus.

[@MrHazz111]

Great to see you back with all the Bronze age goodness

[@just1689]

What a fun history lesson. Thanks Epimetheus

[@EpimetheusHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it Justin!

[@roubinnick]

Your videos never disappoint, Epimetheus!

[@forditroj]

I heard they were great archers too, and many times in history they were used as mercenaries to other states in the region. I have been to the palace of Knossos . It was an unforgettable experience as well as the entire island where I spent an amazing holiday.

[@maurogigliotti1911]

You are a true gem for this generation. Thanks man.

[@swedichboy1000]

Could you also do one about the kingdom of Alashiya?

[@m.a.9571]

I still remember your first video and looking at your art now is pretty unbelievable to think about.

[@giannism6875]

People don’t realize that in almost every culture throughout history this "vitamin d deficient look" has been desired for women. Totally makes since seeing as its a sign of being indoors. And in many places throughout the world this is still a well and alive beauty standard for women. Totally love your video! Looks like you do your research well and accurately portrayed the minoans here in your art! There’s so much misrepresentation of Ancient Greeks in media and films so it’s refreshing to see this keep up the good work!

[@ilya.petersen]

I visited Crete and the archaeological sites at Knossos and Phaistos more than twenty years ago, when I was a teenager. This video makes me want to go back there!

[@Joker-yw9hl]

And now I want to play the original Age of Empires

[@brazy8427]

Another amazing video, this channel never disappoints.

[@youchoober4515]

Lov ur vidz

[@darkjedi55]

Excellent video, always excited to see a new one pop up

[@jhonsepulvedo6750]

I've always heard the Crete's are very cool people greetings from USA ❤

[@historicaladventurevideos]

He's back!!

[@GarfieldRex]

Minoans are one of my favorite mysterious civilizations 👌

[@theromanorder]

YESSSSSSS MORE CONTENT. please for the love of god please bless us with more

[@RobertMihalache]

Somehow most parts of my DNA indicates that Minoans are part of my Ancestry. Thanks for sharing this video with us

[@muse_1463]

Dna apps are never accurate. Guarantee any southern/Mediterranean European person has dna from the Minoans, Sardinians, Sicilians, Corsicans

[@unique129]

Epimetheus your voice is amazing .

[@surstromming8065]

Finally!

[@thedoo777]

Thank you so much for this video always keep me informed

[@shivanshgilhotra701]

Please make video about sinauli's discovery This has power to change history we read

[@ritaroberts1265]

Thanks for this very interesting Video.Since moving to Crete I have studied the Mycenaean Linear B script writing which, I must say was so interesting that I am now delving into the Linear A language which I know has not yet been translated. So, I am now learning the Hittite language as it would seem there is a connection with Linear A......We shall see. You have many followers here enjoying your videos and narration of Ancient cultures.

[@martinmay1178]

So the guy that dug up the ruins of the greatest minoan city was also called Minos? Thats some ancient prophecy shit right there.

[@gfresh513]

Really interesting! I was lucky enough to go to Crete and see the palace. Thanks for making the video!

[@scott2452]

The historic importance of Crete is reflected in myth as it was where Zeus grew up

[@mud6866]

Unless he was a real person. It seems some ancient cultures liked to name the most popular and powerful people gods.

[@interestinglife934]

You always seem to talk about stuff that's a bit different. I love it.

[@nugsymalone1247]

Sounds like they did quite well. I couldn't imagine seeing a single massive home 5 stories high with that many rooms, made thousands of years ago

[@nicholasburgess7317]

I like the new editing tech!

[@genghiskhan6809]

I’ve always been fascinated by this general period of history.

[@gappayayo4602]

Great video as always