Throughout the ages there have been both legendary and actual individuals who have made remarkable contributions that defined entire cultures. This paper will examine King Minos, a figure that is both legendary and historical, and the Minoan culture. In addition to providing background information regarding King Minos and the Minoan civilization, this examination will also discuss cultural contributions that the Minoan civilization made to the world. This discussion will demonstrate that the historical and mythological King Minos was a wise naval commander, economist and ruler who allowed his people to create a vital culture that was based on creativity and commerce, rather than military conquest.
In Book XIX of Homer‘s Odyssey, he wrote that there was once a great city called Knossos on Crete, where King Minos ruled for nine years and was “specially dear to Zeus,” who was the Greek’s father of the gods. According to Greek mythology, Minos was the son of Zeus and a mortal woman named Europa. King Minos was particularly notable to the Greeks and later cultures for several reasons. First, the island of Crete was very close to Greece, yet Minos was known as a non-Greek, partially due to the unique nature of the Minoan civilization . Next, the Minoan civilization ruled the Aegean Sea from 2000 to 1500 BC with total supremacy . With the island of Crete protected by the sea and ships, the Minoan fleet served to eliminate pirates and maintain safe commerce. For some, this system of naval protection allowed the Minoan economy to flourish, and the King’s palace to regulate trade and encourage stable markets that thrived on international trade instead of battles. The Minoan’s created vases and jewelry and harvested wool and timber to trade with other lands.