The Bull of Minos: The Great Discoveries of Ancient Greece

Review

by Mark Cartwright
published on 10 May 2012

Having visited the Peloponese and just half-filled a suitcase of books on ancient Greece, I saw this at the airport on the way home. It turned out to be the best of the lot. Schliemann and Evans - two of the most controversial archaeologists - and their efforts to prove their theories of the existence of Troy and a sophisticated Mediterranean culture centuries before mainland Greece make for a gripping story indeed. Mixed in with the author's own journey to the sites, these two adventurers are presented in a favourable light for once. Yes, they might not have been as careful as modern archaeologists when excavating in their quest to prove their theories but without them would we today know these sites and treasures existed? First published in the 1950's, well-written and very readable, this is a great book to introduce the reader to early Mediterranean civilization. There are 50 b&w photos included. Sadly, there is no contemporary update for this edition on the current thinking on Troy and Crete. Neverthless, a great book.

Cite This Work