The Minoans were a maritime civilzation that lived in the island of Crete around 3,000BC. The Minoans were a cultural model of the Mycenean who lived in mainland Greece around 2,700BC. Even though they were relativetely close geographically and periodically, they had some significant differences:
- Minoans were a maritime civilization while Myceneans lived in mainland
- Because they lived in mainland, Myceneans had a stronger military force and based their civilization around warfare and conquest while Minoans relied heavily on trade and diplomacy.
- Language was a major difference as well, Myceneans spokea version of Greek while the language of the Minoans is unknown.
- Minoans were artistically and architecturally more sophisticated than the Myceneans.
- Minoans had religious iconography that was absent from the mainland.
