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Minoan Crete: From Myth to History
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 26, 2022
A good introduction to Minoan history. I have some complains though.
First, who is the author? There is no bio, which for a book dealing mostly with history is a big minus. There are so many “history” books written by non-historians, that a short bio is a must. A rapid google search suggests that Adonis Vasilakis is possibly an archaeologist. Good.
My biggest criticism though is that the book is a bit too superficial. I do understand, because in few pages, dense with pictures, one cannot go too much in detail, but I would have like to know a bit more, for example on the sources, but also on the history of the excavations, or on the techniques of restoration.
There is a large part at the beginning describing the most important Minoan myths. Now I do appreciate that the author gives alternatives for each story, hinting to the flexibility that one must have in interpreting them. The thing with these myths is that they are all interconnected, so after a while the reader is rather confused. Was this guy the father of that other guy? The uncle? The son?! Maybe a family tree would have helped. Also, when recounting the myths I would have like to know the sources.
But please do not get me wrong, overall this is a good introduction. I think that this book is maily targeted to the reader that wants to have only a very general overview.
I will dig in the bibliography to see if I can find something more detailed
First, who is the author? There is no bio, which for a book dealing mostly with history is a big minus. There are so many “history” books written by non-historians, that a short bio is a must. A rapid google search suggests that Adonis Vasilakis is possibly an archaeologist. Good.
My biggest criticism though is that the book is a bit too superficial. I do understand, because in few pages, dense with pictures, one cannot go too much in detail, but I would have like to know a bit more, for example on the sources, but also on the history of the excavations, or on the techniques of restoration.
There is a large part at the beginning describing the most important Minoan myths. Now I do appreciate that the author gives alternatives for each story, hinting to the flexibility that one must have in interpreting them. The thing with these myths is that they are all interconnected, so after a while the reader is rather confused. Was this guy the father of that other guy? The uncle? The son?! Maybe a family tree would have helped. Also, when recounting the myths I would have like to know the sources.
But please do not get me wrong, overall this is a good introduction. I think that this book is maily targeted to the reader that wants to have only a very general overview.
I will dig in the bibliography to see if I can find something more detailed
December 15, 2020
First of - bonus star for being heavily illustrated and in colour - makes a huge difference for a subject like this- particularly given the importance of art for understanding the Minoans.
As for the book more broadly - its a comprehensive overview of the history of Crete from its earliest inhabitants to the end of the Minoan civilisation. Where this book will get more polarising is that it is heavily focused on the archaeology which can get pretty dense at times and likewise while the author is generally pretty good at not going beyond evidence present (and does call out others for doing this) there are times where he seems to stray into that territory.
Though it is not much we truly are lucky to have anything left from such a fascinating and talented people. Also never knew how central Crete was in Greek mythology.
As for the book more broadly - its a comprehensive overview of the history of Crete from its earliest inhabitants to the end of the Minoan civilisation. Where this book will get more polarising is that it is heavily focused on the archaeology which can get pretty dense at times and likewise while the author is generally pretty good at not going beyond evidence present (and does call out others for doing this) there are times where he seems to stray into that territory.
Though it is not much we truly are lucky to have anything left from such a fascinating and talented people. Also never knew how central Crete was in Greek mythology.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews