Postpalatial Period (1450-1100 BC)
Around 1500 BC Greece was invaded from a tribe of people from
the heart of Europe, thought to be either a Celtic or Gothic
race. In Greek legend these people are called the Achaeans and,
although few in number, the civilization of Crete was virtually
destroyed by these "semi-barbarians". It is thought that they
were able to exploit the downfall of the Minoan civilization and
turmoil left by the catastrophic after effects of the volcanic
eruption at Thira and invaded and took control of the island,
occupying Knossos and establishing a strong Achaean dynasty.
The Achaeans did not conquer all of Greece but they were wholly
successful in destroying Cretan supremacy and most of its
culture. The economy during this new dynastic rule was still
largely based on trading with neighbouring areas, particularly
with Asia Minor and Egypt. The cultural shift though is
especially evident in art and daily life. All the evidence, as
depicted on ceramics, bronzes and other artefacts seems to show
that the two populations coexisted and influenced each other for
a considerable length of time. However, in 1300 BC Crete was hit
by another strong earthquake which eradicated the last remains
of the Minoan civilization including the palace at Knossos.
An alternative explanation is that this final elimination was
the result of further Achaean invasions who entered into warfare
with the Achaeans already established on Crete. Perhaps a third
reason is a combination of the two factors. Nevertheless,
following this destruction, the new conquerors become extremely
powerful and whilst holding on to the wealth of their
predecessors did not succeed in carrying on with their
distinguished cultural tradition. Though not founded by the
Achaeans, Mycenae (now an archaeological site in the
north-eastern Peloponnese and 90km from Athens) was adopted as
their capital city and excavations there reveal a civilization
quite magnificent in its way but far below that of the earlier
Cretan days. With regard to the island of Crete, historians
relate that in 1200 BC the island had a powerful fleet that was
employed in raiding the eastern part of the Mediterranean. By
the 11th century BC, European tribes had descended from the
north into Crete.