Explore the ancient history of the Minoan and the Mycenaean civilizations, two remarkable cultures that took root 3,500 years ago around the Aegean Sea. Students tour the palace at Knossos in the hills of Crete, where beautiful frescoes decorate the walls, showing what the Minoans looked like, what they wore and aspects of their everyday life. The Minoans were artists, engineers, merchants and traders. By contrast, the Mycenaeans were strong warriors and craftsmen who took power after the Minoans' demise, and dominated the early Greek city-states until the Dark Ages.