Watch Ancient Greek Civilization Lecture 1 of 10 The Minoan Thalassocracy.

The movie, Ancient Greek Civilization Lecture 1 of 10 The Minoan Thalassocracy, is an educational documentary that delves deep into the history of the ancient Greek civilization. The film stars Dr. William J. Neidinger, who leads audiences on a fascinating journey back in time to explore the Minoan civilization, one of the earliest and most influential cultures in Greece.

As the title suggests, the movie is the first of a series of ten lectures that aim to provide audiences with a comprehensive understanding of the ancient Greek civilization. The lecture begins with a brief introduction to the Minoan civilization, highlighting its geographical location and unique characteristics. Dr. Neidinger explains how the Minoan culture emerged on the island of Crete around 2600 BCE and was named after King Minos, the mythical ruler of Crete. He also explains how the civilization's strategic location made it a hub of maritime trade in the region, which led to its prosperity.

The documentary then proceeds to examine the political, social, and economic aspects of the Minoan civilization. Dr. Neidinger explains how the Minoans were a society of unique individuals with a status that was not related to their birth. While most ancient societies at the time based their social classes on birth, the Minoans had a more relaxed social structure making them flexible and constantly evolving. The documentary also emphasizes that the Minoan society acutely valued personal freedom, with women occupying a highly regarded status.

The movie also highlights how the Minoans were an incredibly advanced civilization in terms of technology and infrastructure development. The lecturer explains how they had developed an intricate system of irrigation and had highly developed architecture and building skills that stand the test of time to date. He points out that their construction techniques saved them from the typical challenges of natural disasters such as earthquakes and were highly functional in their day to day life.

One of the most striking aspects of the Minoan civilization was their artwork, as the documentary illustrates. Dr. Neidinger provides thorough coverage of the art forms prevalent in ancient Minoa. He engages audiences by highlighting the inspiration for their art was their environment and how their religious beliefs shaped their artistic output. The film features examples of pottery, jewelry, frescoes, and sculptures, showcasing the mastery that the Minoans possessed in these art forms.

Lastly, the movie discusses the decline of the Minoan civilization. Dr. Neidinger outlines the myriad causes that ultimately lead to the civilization's downfall. One of the significant causes was the earthquake and subsequent resulting destruction of the island. In addition, the emergence of the Mycenaean civilization and their growing power weakened the Minoans' authority.

Overall, Ancient Greek Civilization Lecture 1 of 10 The Minoan Thalassocracy is an engaging educational movie that does an excellent job of bringing to life the extraordinary civilization of ancient Minoa. Dr. Neidinger's expertise is evident as he provides in-depth analysis with clarity and enthusiasm. The movie's high-quality cinematography and presentation create a mesmerizing viewing experience for the viewer.

Ancient Greek Civilization Lecture 1 of 10 The Minoan Thalassocracy. is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 86 hours.