Ancient Maritime World V

International Workshop / Summer School 2022 

The Doric Aegean and Crete 

Language: German/English

Starting from Kos, the workshop/summer school leads to archaeological and historical sites of the Doric Aegean and Crete and back to Kos. It focuses on the periods from the late Minoan to the early Byzantine era. Places and islands in this region show very different characteristics, influences and developments in ancient times, for which maritime conditions were not only fundamental, but often decisive. Flourishing periods of individual regions such as those of Late Bronze Age Crete or Hellenistic Rhodes stand in clear contrast to historical periods and/or areas of rather marginal importance or even obvious remoteness. Such differences and changes will be topics of the event, as will be the underlying dependence of this region on maritime routes, conditions and opportunities.

Furthermore, the Doric Aegean and Crete offer many characteristic examples of more general developments in antiquity. Thus, for instance, islands of the southern Aegean are an example of the Doric migration, Thera of Minoan Greece and Archaic colonisation as well as Lindos of early Archaic Greek contacts with Egypt and the Eastern Mediterranean. Likewise, Melos offers a significant example of Athenian imperialism, Rhodes of the fight against piracy and, together with Kos, of regional prosperity due to altered trans-regional maritime routes. Last but not least, Crete of course offers many insights into the Minoan and Mycenaean world as well as the role of Venetian strongholds in the Eastern Mediterranean and is a significant example of Hellenistic piracy. In all cases, the respective maritime conditions and opportunities are decisive for understanding and analysing a local, regional as well as supra-regional context – in political, social and cultural terms.

The event takes place as a sailing excursion and is directed at advanced students, doctoral students as well as postdocs in all fields of classical antiquity. Previous knowledge of sailing – although beneficial – is not required. Various topics of individual areas and places will be discussed and lectures given. Participants are expected to give a presentation on one of the event's topics. 

On board, participation as well as teamwork is expected. Accommodation is on board the yacht. The number of participants is limited by the size of the yacht. Participation costs are the pro rata yacht charter and insurence. Itinerary to/from Kos and board cash are not included. The final route will depend on current wind and weather conditions. 

Topics and places e.g. 

Cretan Palaces and their Harbours – The Ship Fresco of Akrotiri, Minoan Seafaring and the Minoa of Chania – Minoan Thalassocracy – The Minoan Eruption of Thera – The Uluburun Shipwreck – The so-called Sea Peoples and the Aegean – Zeus and Europa – Doric Migration in the Aegean – Spartan Aegean – Phoenicians in the Aegean – Thera and the Foundation of Cyrene – Early Polis and Sanctuary of Lindos – Routes to Naucratis – Off the Beaten Track: Astypalaia – City Foundation and Trade Routes: Rhodes, Knidos, Kos – The Siege of Rhodes – The Rhodian Fleet – Cretan and Cilician Piracy – The Antikythera Mechanism – Establishing a Roman Province: the Case of Crete – The Imperial Fleet in the Eastern Mediterranean – Byzantine Control of the Aegean Sea – Early Islamic Raids in the Aegean – The Venetians in Crete – Controlling the Sea: Fortresses of the Knights of St John in Kos and Rhodes – and more.

Above: Northwest Cape of Crete with Gramvousa – Ancient Thera, view to the south