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The Cataclysmic Eruption That Devastated the Minoan Civilization
One of the largest volcanic eruptions in history
In 1600 BCE, the Bronze Age civilizations of the Mediterranean were devastated by a volcanic eruption. The island of Thera (Santorini, today) destroyed itself in an absolutely massive explosion. The eruption was one of the largest in history, and the geologic violence can still be viewed from space in the form of the Thera caldera, which is now submerged beneath the surface of the ocean.
The civilization that was affected the most by this powerful volcanic explosion was the Minoans, living on the nearby island of Crete. The Minoan society was walloped by the event, and despite their best efforts, the society quickly declined after the eruption.
Minoan society has a semi-mystical status, and it is seen as the first true European society. The civilization was named for the mythical king Minos, who ruled from his extensive palace in Knossos. Minoan civilization spread outward to many islands in the Aegean Sea until they ran into the land-based Mycenaean Greek society. The Minoans were prolific builders and traders, and they dominated the Aegean Region for a number of centuries until the volcano shook the civilization to its core.
