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.