Rise of the Cycladic Civilization: What Happened
Around 3200 BC, a distinctive Early Bronze Age culture emerged on the Cyclades, the ring of islands in the central Aegean that includes Naxos, Paros, Syros and Milos. The Cycladic people lived in small coastal villages and became expert sailors, traders and craftsmen. Using long oared boats, they carried obsidian from Milos, marble from Naxos and Paros, and copper and silver across the Aegean, linking the islands with Crete, mainland Greece and Anatolia. They are best known for their marble figurines, strikingly simple human forms with folded arms and smooth, featureless faces. Most were placed in graves, and hundreds were deliberately broken and gathered at a sanctuary on the tiny island of Keros, whose purpose is still debated. Thousands of years later, these figures inspired modern artists such as Picasso, Modigliani and Brâncuși. The culture peaked between about 2700 and 2300 BC. The islands then fell under the influence of Minoan Crete and later the Mycenaeans, but the Cycladic civilization remains one of the earliest and most original in European history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Cycladic civilization?
The Cycladic civilization was an Early Bronze Age culture that flourished on the Cyclades islands of the central Aegean from around 3200 to 2000 BC. Its people were skilled sailors, traders and craftsmen living in small coastal villages.
Which islands are part of the Cyclades?
The Cyclades include Naxos, Paros, Syros, Milos, Mykonos, Santorini, Ios, Tinos and many smaller islands. The name comes from the Greek word for circle, as the islands form a rough ring around sacred Delos.
What are Cycladic figurines?
Cycladic figurines are marble sculptures of human figures, usually women with folded arms and smooth, simple faces. Most were found in graves, and their minimalist style later inspired modern artists such as Picasso and Modigliani.
Where can I see Cycladic art today?
The largest collection is at the Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens. Important pieces are also displayed at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens and in island museums such as those on Naxos and Syros.
What happened to the Cycladic civilization?
Over time, the islands came under the influence of Minoan Crete and later the Mycenaeans from the Greek mainland. The distinctive Cycladic culture gradually blended into these larger Bronze Age civilizations after around 2000 BC.
More Events from Prehistoric & Cycladic Greece
