Publisher's Synopsis
Ancient Crete is a puzzle. The islanders of Bronze Age Crete were so far ahead of other societies that their beautiful artistic products were eagerly snapped up by Egyptians and the people along Canaan's coast. They created the first merchant marine in history. Their cities, with paved streets, were the first in Europe. The Great House at Cnossos is one of the most remarkable place of human habitation in the ancient world. The foundation of its 700,000 square feet of comfort and elegance are still standing. They created the first European high civilization. Most astonishing of all their many accomplishments, the people that never knew war. Their thriving cities were not fortified. There are no scenes of warfare in their art and no record of the deeds of mighty kings. Over the entire five-thousand-year history, they remained at peace with their neighbors and all their far-flung trading partners. How did they do it? The answers are revealed in the history of the culture.
