failed, long before it had reached a decline. An important historical event must have occurred, probably the Dorian invasion. Not occuring at once, but extending over a period of at least a century. The country was well settled, and when the Dorians kept pushing from the north, many of the old inhabitants had to yield and leave their homes. Most of the people of the Peloponnesos probably emigrated to Asia Minor, while those that remained, like the Messenians, were doomed to eternal slavery. In the turmoil of readjustment no time was left for artistic expressions. Ruskin once said, “Art is possible only, when after satisfying the needs of daily life, there is enough mental and physical energy left for ‘play’ “; and during these times of struggle, when some were defending their old homes and others were fighting for their new country, neither time nor energy could be spared for “play”. By 1000 B. C. the Dorians were in place, yet centuries had to pass before conditions became settled. These three hundred and fifty years to the beginning of historic Greece carry well the name “Greece dark middle ages”. They are indeed dark, with but one ray of light – the Homeric poems. It matters little whether the Iliad and the Odyssey were written by one man, or whether they were the compilation of many poets; whether they were first sung in the ninth century or only shortly before 650 B. C. The important fact is that subsequent to the downfall of the Mycenaean civilisation, and before the dawn of historic times, there were people who could sing such songs and others who could enjoy them.
Scene with Bull and Acrobats, Knossos Palace, Crete, 1700–1400 B. C. Fresco, 62.3 cm. Archaeological Museum, Heraklion.
Pendant with Bees, Royal Necropolis, Malia, 1700–1600 B. C. Gold. Archaeological Museum, Heraklion.
The “Agamemnon” Mask, tomb V, Mycenae, c. 1600–1500 B. C. Gold, h: 31.5 cm. National Archaeological Museum, Athens.
Mortuary Mask, Mycenae, c. 1600–1500 B. C. Gold, h: 20.5 cm. National Archaeological Museum, Athens.
