Monthly Archives: November 2023

The Creation and Fall of the World

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Picture depicting the events of Genesis 1-3.

The first three chapters of the book of Genesis cover the creation of the world and the fall of mankind. The first chapter explains when and how God created the heavens and earth, the second details the life of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and finally the third chapter recounts the sin of Adam and Eve and the fall of the human race. 

Out of nothing, God formed the heavens, the earth, the sea, and every living thing. The phrase, “God saw that it was good” is repeated after each one of God’s creations, reiterating the fact that nothing He forms is inherently evil. God made animals, land, water, day, and night, and after creating each one stated that it was good.

After five days of work, God shaped man in the likeness of Himself. He called him Adam and gave him the task of naming the animals. However, Adam became lonely, so while he slept God took a rib from his body and created a companion for him. The woman was named Eve and lived alongside Adam in the Garden of Eden, a perfect sanctuary where no sin, evil, or death existed. God had but one rule for Adam and Eve: do not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. 

One day as Eve was alone, the Evil One, in the form of a serpent, tempted Eve and eventually persuaded her to taste of the forbidden tree. Eve then convinced her husband to partake of the fruit with her. Immediately, they realized they were naked and scrambled to clothe themselves with whatever they could find. After a while, God entered the garden looking for Adam and Eve. Knowing that they had eaten of the forbidden tree, God inquired as to why they had disobeyed his one commandment. Regrettably, neither of them took responsibility for the sin. Adam tried to blame Eve, while Eve tried to blame the serpent. So Adam and Eve were thrown out of paradise and were both cursed. From now on, Adam would have to earn everything from the sweat of his brow, while Eve would have to endure painful child bearing. 

Genesis 1-3 is crucial to understanding the creation of the world and the origin of sin. Adam and Eve sinned because they tried to become like God by their disobedience. Even though they were tempted by Satan, they still willingly partook of the forbidden fruit, thinking they would gain godlike power. Their sin would lead to the cursing of them and every human born into the world. 

Minoan Crete and Mycenaean Greece

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Ruins of the Minoan City of Knossos.

Minoan Crete was one of the first Bronze Age civilizations. It started on the island of Crete around 2200 BC. Knossos, the capital of Minoan Crete, was excavated by English archaeologist Arthur Evans in 1899. The Minoans were capable of building luxurious palaces, trading across the mediterranean, and creating detailed pottery and frescoes. Mostly a trading civilization, Minoan cities did not have fortifications or walls. The Greeks to the north likely conquered the island in the 14th century BC. 

In mainland Greece during that time, the Myceaneans had taken over much of modern-day Greece. The Myceaneans did not have one ruler, but were made up of independent city states each ruled by a king. Unlike the Minoans, they were warlike people and buried their warriors with their swords and shields. Their presence is evident in Italy and Turkey, meaning they likely conquered more than just Crete. Mycenaean Civilization collapsed around 1100 BC, leading to the Greek dark age. In the 1800s Heinrich Schliemann excavated much of Greece, disproving the previous notion that Greek civilization did not start until 800 BC. 

Map of Mycenaean Greece.

Minoan Crete

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Restoration versus conservation: the Palace at Knossos (Crete)
The palace in Knossos.

Discovered only recently in the late 19th century, there is little known about the ancient Minoan Crete civilization. It is referred to as “Minoan” because of King Minos, a mythical king who supposedly ruled during the era. Until the uncovering of Minoan Civilization by Sir Arthur Evans, historians thought there were no even partially civilized peoples on the island of Crete.  

In 1899, the ancient city of Knossos in northern Crete was uncovered and was found to date back to around 2000 BC. At Knossos, there was an elaborate palace, with other settlements all over the island also having similar structures. The Minoans’ religion is unknown, although there is some evidence of human sacrifices across the island. The Minoans used the language known as Linear A, but it is largely undeciphered and shares no symbalance to modern Greek, unlike Linear B, which was the language used by the Myceneans who lived on the Greek mainland during the same time. 

Many historians believe the Minoans were a peaceful people, as there is little knowledge of them having any weapons or anything of that sort. Although this might have eventually led to their downfall, as there is substantial evidence that they were invaded by the Mycenaeans. For one, they seemed to have later adopted the Linear B script which was being used by the Mycenaeans at the time. Secondly, there is evidence of destruction of the palaces, suggesting that the civilization was invaded and pillaged. Even though the Minoans did not leave behind much for us to remember, they did have a unique pottery style, which they traded with the Egyptians and Mycenaeans and the Mycenaeans would come to adopt. Mycenaeans would adopt.