Who were the Minoans? Europe's most bizarre civilization (Extended Version) 

Imagine we finally decipher a Linear A tablet and it's just the Minoan version of one of those Roman graffiti walls where people carved stuff like "Marcus is gay" "I made bread" "whose dog keeps taking dumps on my porch!?"

The image of Epimetheus getting frustrated at the beach due to his little rock tower is really funny.

Imagine landing on those shores before anyone else and seeing a huge island with incredible resources and its all yours ! those first inhabitants must have thought it was heaven

please make more "Extended Versions" they're absolutely amazing

An extended version? Of the Minoans? It really is Christmas!

I love this time period. So much is unknown that it almost feels like I'm listening to a campfire story.

Dude these illustrations must take forever, great work

Regarding the Minoan language: The oldest language was a pictographic writing system developed around 2000 BCE known as the Cretan hieroglyphs. Another group of signs was identified as Linear A, developed around 1700 BCE. While Cretan hieroglyphs have a pictorial appearance, Linear A has a linear appearance. It has been speculated that both Cretan hieroglyphs and Linear A represent the same language. Minoan civilization had trade contacts with the advanced Middle Eastern civilizations, with Egypt being the most influential. It is likely that the earliest Minoan writing (Cretan hieroglyphs) was modelled after the Middle Kingdom Egyptian hieroglyphs. Although superficially indeed similar to Egyptian symbols, Cretan Hieroglyphs are clearly distinct in both form and phonetic value. Yet the biggest difference lies in the underlying system itself. Egyptian Hieroglyphs are part of a complex writing system, where most signs have more than one possible reading, dependent on context (similarly to the Japanese Kanji characters). Signs could have both a phonetic (single consonant or syllable) value or an ideogrammatic (word) reading, but could even be utilized as phonetic complements or logograms (a written character that represents a word or phrase, like in Chinese), “reinforcing” the reading of words they were attached to. As many of these duplicities could only be interpreted by a native speaker of Old Egyptian, this system was very difficult to utilize for speakers of foreign languages. Also, the Egyptian system had over 800 different signs, which is an extremely large inventory of symbols compared to Cretan Hieroglyphs (roughly 85 or so different signs are known). Linear A signs identified ranges from 77 to 85 according to different scholars, suggesting that this was a syllabic writing system. Minoan scribes might have took the concept of writing from Egypt, creating their own signs and simplifying the system so that it became almost fully phonetic. Such a low number of individual characters is uncharacteristic of the complex writing systems of the ancient Near East, but it is fully compatible with a simple syllabary (reminiscent of the modern Japanese Hiragana or Katakana writing). Thus, some assume that Cretan Hieroglyphs, similarly to all later Aegean writing systems, were already syllabic in nature. Other scholars see Semitic influences / a relationship to Mesopotamian writings in the Minoan language, but these depend solely on Semitic loanwords, such as “sesame”, a word that appears in both Linear A and B (and also in ENGLISH). One thing is clear: After the rebuilding of the palatial complexes on Crete (with the advent of the so-called “New Palace Period”) the Hieroglyphic script fell out of regular use. A new script has taken its place, called Linear A. The relationship of Linear A and Hieroglyphics is probably comparable to the relation between Egyptian Hieroglyphic and Hieratic/Demotic script. Current available evidence suggests that the underlying system remained essentially the same; it is the shape of signs that suffered profound change due to graphical simplification. Linear A was used much more extensively than Hieroglyphs. Hundreds of clay tablets, inscribed vessels, statues, altarstones and even jewelery testifies its daily use. The triumph of Linear A is also striking in a geographical sense: Wherever Cretan traders went, Linear A followed. Perhaps due to the simplicity of the syllabary, it quickly spread to other regions surrounding Crete. While regularly used on many Aegean islands, sporadic finds suggest that it also reached the Greek mainland as well as the island of Cyprus and the Syrian coast.

This is a brilliant idea. Reviewing your own video this way while replying to the most pertinent comments you got on the original and filling us in on the details is something I have never seen before but appreciate highly. Well done.

Love these extended cuts! Itʻs always fascinating for you to talk about the details of these subjects

Ya, Linear A is definitely not deciphered in 2021! It will truly be glorious when Linear A is finally deciphered - I really hope it happens in my lifetime. For sure there is a ‘Rosetta Stone’ somewhere waiting to be discovered. It will be such an exciting day when it’s found - I find the Minoan civilisation to be absolutely captivating 💕

I’m so glad you released this. I watched the original and really wished it was longer but was glad to have watched it nonetheless - and here we are. Nice work!

"Nobody expects the Sea People!!" Had me rolling.

When I look at the palace of Knossos with the central area, I can’t help but see the labyrinth. I would get lost in a palace with 1000 rooms. And the center courtyard, if used for bull jumping, could easily be the center of the labyrinth. I could see that being turned into some crazy labyrinth with a monstrous bull creature at its center, especially if there was a practice or forcing these captives from the mainland to actually do some bull jumping which is why so many died.

Man can you imagine a movie based on the high era of the minoan civilization.

The Minoans have always fascinated me. Love all your videos!

Thanks for researching this and presenting it in a palatable fashion. I always find your videos fascinating and insightful.

That Owl surely is a good Omen, sent by Athena. You´re on the right path, Brother! Keep going!

Just a small comment about the whole "men being tan and women being pale" thing....I *did* always wonder why Queens and Goddesses (Hera comes to mind first) were so often described with "white arms" which always seemed an oddly specific thing to focus on. The idea that it was simply cuz they could afford to not go outside never even occurred to me.

Absolutely sick, I loved the last video like this and wholeheartedly support more of them. Thank you very much!

thank you for creating these extended versions!!

There is a pretty common theme in a lot of civilizations where woman with pale skin are favored and men are showed with darker skin, is that just because the men with darker skin were out in the sun all day while the women with pale skin were inside most of the time? If I remember correctly it was one of the reasons pale skin among women was favored in some place in Asia for a while where you could tell who was a peasant and who wasn’t based on who was more tan(was outside working fields or whatever). Created a whole beauty product line of creams and powders to look more pale. It’s probably something similar for the Minoans which is why the men are mostly all darker skinned and the women are mostly all paler skinned.

Thanks for this extended version. Great work! You are a fantastic narrator and your drawings are excellent.

You are my favorite history youtuber. Nobody else does bronze age history like you. I really apprrciate these extended versions of your videos and hope you make more like this in the future. I'm suprised your Minoan video doesnt have more views honestly, it was so interesting! super under rated.

Thanks for these Extended Cuts!

Found you yesterday, listened to the extended version of the Bronze Age collapse video on the way back from working an out of town wedding. Love this stuff, and I think the long format is worth sticking with. Thanks for the hard work

That was a real treat. Thank-you....this whole part of the world is fascinating, longer is fine with me no rush content is king.

Extended versions are amazing! Love your videos! ♥️

Wow!! GREAT video! I really enjoyed every minute. Thank you for all your research!

Thank you so much for this extended version! It's fantastic!

This is so good, bro. I love your little breaks of character, too. Love your work

I think it's also very important to note that the pose of the female statues (holding two identical objects or often, creatures, apart) is a motif that spread throughout the eastern Mediterranean for the next two millenniums.

Dude thank you for making these videos. I'll keep watching

Thanks for another extended version! Congrats on how much your channel has grown!

I really liked how your videos at the beach kind of reflected the nature of the periods described, and I like the tower of rocks falling over at the end of it. Impressive that you had done that yourself.

I love this channel. Great work, sir.

❤ Thank you so very much for continuing to make these videos. You contribute to my continuing love for history.

Your dialogue with yourself from the past adds more than the sum of each part. Great job.

Love how much effort you put into only shorts bits of your work. Respect!

Yes, stoked for this

Your voice is so calming. Keep making long videos like this. I enjoy listening to your narration while I work.

really cool man, very excited for the content in 2022

Merry Christmas, thanks for the great channel!

Glad you're doing better health wise, as always great stuff!

Thanks for the fun artwork!

An anticipated Christmas present! Thanks a lot!

I always appreciate the longer videos. Also both (this, Bronze Age collapse) videos expanding on the topics where really cool.

Great video mate

Thanks for existing Epimetheus and thank you for doing what you do.

Thank you! Longer versions are very welcome. Please keep making them.

Very well researched. It’s fun watching as you seem to enjoy what you’re doing and not dry formal facts & data.

Merry Christmas! Thanks for the extended Christmas present!

Wonderfull! Happy to hear you feel better.

Recently discovered you while looking for interesting topics to listen to while I work. Keep it up, man. I am loving these.

❤❤❤ stunning channel, thank you for all the insights shared

Happy new year Epimetheus! All the best from Bulgaria!

OUTSTANDING PRESENTATION!!!! We all continue to progress, with the more we learn and add to our knowledge store. KUDOS, BROTHER!!!!

My first experience w any of your videos. Looking forward to watching all of them. You do a great job. Thanks

I LOVE your maps, they are so much more descriptive than most I've seen. Great content!

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="32">0:32</a> "fabulous" as the fab Minoan slowly moves in to frame. Awesome. 😁

I truly enjoyed these videos. So informative. Thank you

Fantastic video - loving the longer form content :)

these videos are awesome! please continue to make more if possible and keep up the fantastic work

I am so glad that you were able to stay home more and heal while you were ill. Your history videos are interesting and I love learning about ancient civilizations! There are not enough easily accessible documentaries about these civilizations that aren't quite old and/or overtly racist.

So enjoyed this video. Thank you

Thank you for this video 😊

Love you extended version videos - but let's be real, I´d love them anyway because your Bronze Age stuff is gold.

Proud to be a subscriber. Great job.

I am so excited to find your channel. Your videos are great! Love your choices, artwork, commentary and loads of info. Subbed!

Just here to say i am a fan of your work. Thanks for the great content!

Recently discovered your channel... been binge watching ever since! You do great work my dude!

Wonderful drawings! Nice presentation! Thank you.

Always great videos thanks

those videos are solid, thanks

This is so epic, thank you for making history fun man!

I'm sorry to hear that you were ill, and glad to hear that you are feeling better .... I would also like to say that I have been listening to or watching at least one of your videos a day since the summer, and have particularly enjoyed your Mesopotamian series. You present your topics thoughtfully without becoming stodgy, and that keeps the history interesting. I hope you will be able to do extended cuts for some of your 2022 videos. I find that I enjoy both videos - the original for its clear presentation of the key points of the topic, and the extended version for the additional insight into your thought processes along with added details from your sources. All the best in 2022!

Very good show I enjoyed it thoroughly thank you keep up the good work

Love your videos! Keep it up!

Thank you for the incredible videos you create and the knowledge you share. Your art is always amazing to see and always feels very real to what historical dress and arms would have been.

This just made my otherwise crappy week so much better love it

Thank you and Happy Holidays!

Always enjoy when you put a few frames of your own life, the owl is super cool...a lot of new information, keep up the good work.

This vlog style is actually quite nice. You've been giving us quality historical content for a long time, so it's nice to see the person behind the mic

Your videos are awesome! Keep it up!

Love your work, you are a class act.

Hey bud! Great video.

Merry Christmas. I am glad you got over being sick. I really enjoy your Channel. Thanks for the video.

I like these longer videos. I’ve known “the basics” for decades, but most videos only give those. I want to learn more.

Thanks for another amazing video sir

I keep your videos on in the background while I shave my legs and it turns out I learned a lot from your videos lol! So thanks!

Ur channel helped me understand quite a bit i didnt get b4 cuz ur map work. Great job man

My friend , I really like your videos and I'm sorry about your problems in real life. Please take your time to deal with them because it is a process and come back when you can to making awesome content , don't worry too much all in life pass the good and bad but it is important to live in the now and enjoy life without regrets! Take care and much love , -- a fan! P.S. you make my day better and it was nice to hear some off-topic talk like the rock tower :D sorry if I writed anything wrong English is not my mother language.

Your Amazing Alliterations Attesting to the Activities of Ancient Argonauts Assaulting the Aegean are Awesome!

The album 'Dionysus' by 'Dead Can Dance', makes a spectacular backing to your historic commentary on Crete.

I hope you feel better and thank you for creating this extended version! It has been so enjoying and inspirational watching it! Loved it

Love these extended versions

these extended cuts are awesome

Question, why would the Cretan Acheans have broken off of Mycenaean control? Or did you just mean that they were autonomous and not under direct mainland control

I love Epimetheus' Channel. I wish we could get these History Documentaries on TV more often, and in this detail.