In the beginning…

For my next series, I’ll be delving into the world of the Minoans but before I get into this amazing civilisation I’d like to explain why. Many of you following my blog would know back in May, I published a novel called Search for the Golden Serpent. One reviewer wrote:

“This is a tale of a modern-day hero’s adventure through time travel and to ancient sites such as Atlantis, Thebes and Pylos.” Linnea Tanner

Part of the reconstruction at the Palace of Knossos
Image courtesy of http://www.greek-thesaurus.gr/Minoan-civilization.html

The influences for the book and series came from multiple sources: Plato’s exposition on Atlantis in his Critias and Timaeas; Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey; mythology on the Greek gods and goddesses; Joseph Campbell’s works and finally, the enigmatic Minoans. I found the research on the Minoans fascinating and inspiring. From what I read and the documentaries watched, I believe Plato was referring to the Minoans as the race of Atlanteans in his dialogues. Regardless of whether that is the case or not, the Minoan civilisation is worthy of attention.

Most would be familiar with the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, a vicious beast locked in a labyrinth built by Daedalus that was commissioned by King Minos. I was fortunate to go to Knossos and wander around the palace where the legendary king and his daughter Ariadne lived. The site is huge; there are stairwells, endless number of rooms, some of which were reconstructed during Sir Arthur Evan’s time on the site. For me, it was spiritual and I could see why the label “labyrinth” stuck. The palace is a maze of rooms, big and small.

“Theseus Slaying Minotaur by Barye” by Antoine-Louis Barye Licensed under Public Domain via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Theseus_Slaying_Minotaur_by_Barye.jpg#/media/File:Theseus_Slaying_Minotaur_by_Barye.jpg

The museum in Heraklion was fantastic and I got to see the artefacts found at Knossos and from other palatial sites and townships on Crete. Though I did get lost on my way to the museum! Not sure if it was the translation from Greek to English that was confusing or my interpretation of the directions. I was reading a map in English and the street signs were in Greek! However, that was 11 years ago and I am sure the signs are much clearer now.

Heraklion Museum
Image courtesy of http://www.destinationcrete.gr/en/museums/irakleio-museums/archaiologiko-mouseio-irakleiou

In any case, I will do my best to recount the history of the Minoans, of which a number of historians believe, were the forerunners of Western Civilisation.

Thank you for visiting and reading.

As always, your comments are valued and welcomed.

Historical fiction novelist and a secondary teacher, Luciana Cavallaro, likes to meander from contemporary life to the realms of mythology and history. Subscribe to her free short story at http://eepurl.com/bhESs1

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ancient greece, ancient greeks, Ancient History, crete, homer the iliad, iliad and the odyssey, inspiration, King Minos, minoans, minotaur, myths and legends, plato, sir arthur evans, Theseus, Western Civilisation