The Minoans
The Minoans lived on the island of Crete in Aegean Sea, between 2200 BCE and 1450 BCE. Their civilization flourished for five hundred years. They were named after the king, Minos. They constructed palace complexes all around Crete. The largest complexes were Phaistos, Knossos, and Malia. They cultivated wheat, olives and vines. They herded sheep. They exported cloth and wool and olive oil and wine. Since the lived on an island, the Minoans were good sailors and ship builders. They used their boats to trade. They traded as far as Middle Kingdom Egypt and maybe into Mesopotamia. They produced marine ware pottery.
In the Second Palace Period and after a destructive earthquake. Knossos became the main city. They spread colonies through out Aegean. They had two different types of writing that remain undeciphered: a form of hieroglyphics and Linear A.
Minoan women were important to their religion as priestesses and their serpent goddess. Bulls also had a major place in Minoan religion. (Theseus and the Minotaur)
The island of Thera, modern day Santorini, erupted and caused destruction to the area and Crete, putting stress on the Minoan civilization and contributing to its fall. The Mycenaeans may have conquered the Minoans or they may have merged.