Aegean Post 1

Roberge, Dr. Aki. Aki's Photo of a Minoan Octopus Vase. 2006. Photograph. Crete
So far this semester, the art of the Minoan people has been my favorite. I love the bright colors and the fact that most Minoan art is very joyful and full of life. This particular vase is one of my favorites. Having a interest in marine life I was immediately drawn to it. Like we discussed in class, the Minoan people were also very fascinated with marine animals and the life that came from the ocean. One could assume that marine life greatly influenced the way the Minoan people lived, and the art they left for us to find all these years later. 

From what I've read in our book, it seems as though the Minoan people reveled in every luxury life had to offer. Much of what we know we have learned from art found in Crete. The Palace of King Minos was home to many sculptures, paintings, and frescos which sheds light on this lost society. 



As we discussed, the bull represents strength and determine which is probably why King Minos wanted it's image lining the walls of his kingdom. I'm sure, as any other king, he wanted his kingdom to be seen as a strong one that would last for many years to come. Perhaps, that is also why these images were literally made part of the wall as opposed to just being painted onto it. By painting these images while the material used to build the structure was still wet, they became permanent wall art that could withstand the elements over many centuries.