Editing Knossos (section)

===Bronze Age===
{{see also|Minoan civilization|Minoan pottery|Minoan chronology}}
{| class="wikitable floatright border: gray solid 1px; text-align: center; background: white;"
|- style="background: #ececec;"
|+Minoan chronology
!Timespan!!colspan=2|Period
|-
| 3100–2650{{nbsp}}BC
| EM I
| rowspan="4"| Prepalatial
|-
| 2650–2200{{nbsp}}BC
| EM II
|-
| 2200–2100{{nbsp}}BC
| EM III
|-
| 2100–1925{{nbsp}}BC
| MM IA
|-
| 1925–1875{{nbsp}}BC
| MM IB
| rowspan="2"| Protopalatial
|-
| 1875–1750{{nbsp}}BC
| MM II
|-
| 1750–1700{{nbsp}}BC
| MM III
| rowspan="3"| Neopalatial
|-
| 1700–1625{{nbsp}}BC
| LM IA
|-
| 1625–1470{{nbsp}}BC
| LM IB
|-
| 1470–1420{{nbsp}}BC
| LM II
| rowspan="4"| Postpalatial
|-
| 1420–1330{{nbsp}}BC
| LM IIIA
|-
| 1330–1200{{nbsp}}BC
| LM IIIB
|-
| 1200–1075{{nbsp}}BC
| LM IIIC
|}
It is believed that the first Cretan palaces were built soon after {{circa|2000 BC}}, in the early part of the Middle Minoan period, at Knossos and other sites including [[Malia (archaeological site)|Malia]], [[Phaistos|Phaestos]] and [[Zakros|Zakro]]. These palaces, which were to set the pattern of organisation in Crete and Greece through the second millennium, were a sharp break from the Neolithic village system that had prevailed thus far. The building of the palaces implies greater wealth and a concentration of authority, both political and religious. It is suggested that they followed eastern models such as those at [[Ugarit]] on the Syrian coast and [[Mari, Syria|Mari]] on the upper Euphrates.<ref name="BM9">{{harvnb|Bury|Meiggs|1975|p=9}}</ref>

The early palaces were destroyed during Middle Minoan II, sometime before {{circa|1700}}, almost certainly by earthquakes to which Crete is prone. By {{circa|1650}}, they had been rebuilt on a grander scale and the period of the second palaces ({{circa|1650|1450}}) marks the height of Minoan prosperity. All the palaces had large central courtyards which may have been used for public ceremonies and spectacles. Living quarters, storage rooms and administrative centres were positioned around the court and there were also working quarters for skilled craftsmen.<ref name="BM9"/>

The palace of Knossos was by far the largest, covering three acres with its main building alone and five acres when separate out-buildings are considered. It had a monumental staircase leading to state rooms on an upper floor. A ritual cult centre was on the ground floor. The palace stores occupied sixteen rooms, the main feature in these being the ''[[pithos|pithoi]]'' that were large storage jars up to five feet tall. They were mainly used for storage of oil, wool, wine, and grain. Smaller and more valuable objects were stored in lead-lined [[cist]]s. The palace had bathrooms, toilets, and a drainage system.<ref name="BM9"/> A theatre was found at Knossos that would have held 400 spectators (an earlier one has been found at Phaestos). The orchestral area was rectangular, unlike later Athenian models, and they were probably used for religious dances.<ref name="BM10">{{harvnb|Bury|Meiggs|1975|p=10}}</ref>

Building techniques at Knossos were typical. The foundations and lower course were stonework with the whole built on a timber framework of beams and pillars. The main structure was built of large, unbaked bricks. The roof was flat with a thick layer of clay over brushwood. Internal rooms were brightened by light-wells and columns of wood, many fluted, were used to lend both support and dignity. The chambers and corridors were decorated with frescoes showing scenes from everyday life and scenes of processions. Warfare is conspicuously absent. The fashions of the time may be seen in depictions of women in various poses. They had elaborately dressed hair and wore long dresses with flounced skirts and puffed sleeves. Their bodices were tightly drawn in round their waists and their breasts were exposed.<ref name="BM10"/>

The prosperity of Knossos was primarily based upon the development of native Cretan resources such as oil, wine, and wool. Another factor was the expansion of trade, evidenced by Minoan pottery found in Egypt, Syria, Anatolia, Rhodes, the Cyclades, Sicily, and mainland Greece. There seem to have been strong Minoan connections with Rhodes, Miletus, and Samos. Cretan influence may be seen in the earliest scripts found in Cyprus. The main market for Cretan wares was the Cyclades where there was a demand for pottery, especially the stone vases. It is not known whether the islands were subject to Crete or just trading partners, but there certainly was strong Cretan influence.<ref name="BM12">{{harvnb|Bury|Meiggs|1975|pp=11–12}}</ref>

Around 1450 BC, the palaces at Malia, Phaestos, and Zakros were destroyed, leaving Knossos as the sole surviving palace on Crete. In this final period, Knossos seems to have been influenced or perhaps ruled by people from the mainland. [[Greek language|Greek]] became the administrative language and the material culture shows parallels with [[Mycenaean Greece|Mycenaean]] styles, for instance in the architecture of tombs and styles of pottery.<ref name="BM17">{{harvnb|Bury|Meiggs|1975|pp=17–18}}</ref>

Around 1350 BC, the palace was destroyed and not rebuilt. The building was ravaged by a fire which triggered the collapse of the upper stories. It is not known whether this final destruction was intentional or the result of a natural disaster such as an earthquake. While parts of the palace may have been used for later ceremonies and the town of Knossos saw a resurgence around 1200 BC, the building and its associated institutions were never restored.<ref name="McD12">{{harvnb|MacDonald|2012|p=464}}</ref>