This course examines the history of the insular Aegean communities and their relations with the palatial centres of Crete in the first half of the 2^nd millennium BC. The focus of study is the phenomenon of minoanization and the problem of the so called ‘Minoan thalassocracy’, while special emphasis is given on the different ways these communities adopted Minoan culture.

Written essays on selected subjects and oral pressentations are compulsary. Bibliography, images and handouts can be downloaded from eclass: ARCH256. Optional visits to museums and archaeological sites.