Page:General History of Europe 1921.djvu/93

 The Coming of the Greeks 73. The Grand Age in Crete (about 1600-1500 B.C.). A few centuries of such development carried the Cretan civilization to its highest level, to what we may call its Grand Age (about 1600-1500 B.C.). The older palace of Cnossus gave way to a Two CRETAN VASES SHOWING PROGRESS IN THE ART OF DECORATION larger and more splendid building with a colonnaded hall, fine stairways, and impressive open courts. Its walls were painted with fresh and beautiful scenes from daily life, full of movement and action. After learning the Egyptian art of glass-making the Cretans adorned their buildings with glazed figures. Noble vases (see accompanying illustrations) were painted or modeled in relief with designs drawn from plant life or often from the life of the sea, on which the Cretans were now more and more at home. This wonderful pottery belongs among the finest works of decorative art ever produced by any people (see also Ancient Times, 341-342 and Figs. 136-141).