The Admiral's Fresco and What It Reveals About Theran Society
The Admiral’s Fresco, located in Room 5 of the West House, in Akrotiri was 6 metres long, and classified as a miniature, which depicted a journey of a fleet of various ships, making a journey from one area of land to another. This fresco enables the observer to collect information about key elements of Theran society, such as the island’s inhabitants, and their roles and places in that society, the importance of maritime activity, and the definite class system established in the community. Aspects of the island itself are also revealed, such as the appearance of the landscape and terrain of the area, and the appearance and structure of the man-made settlements.
The Admiral’s Fresco gives insight into the inhabitants of the island, including their clothing, and appearance, which can give indications of their occupations, and status in the society. The fresco shows a coastal settlement, with people inhabiting the area, appearing to be performing everyday activities like working with flocks, and carrying water from a well. The tunics and the large skirts that the men and women are wearing respectively, paired with the fact that the activities they are depicted as doing would be classified as working class jobs, therefore, implies that the lower status/common individual would wear these basic garments in Theran society. There is also a row of people on the north wall frieze, who are presumably marching warriors due to the fact that they are wearing armour. The inclusion of this other type of people furthers our understanding of Theran society as a multi-faceted, diverse community, with specific and various needs, which in this case, would be military requirements. Their ox-hide shields and boar’s tusk helmets also communicates Theran society as proficient in using natural resources to their advantage, and a developing sophistication in elements of armour-making, for example the process of tanning the animals hides. This level of skill is indicative of a society
The Admiral’s Fresco gives insight into the inhabitants of the island, including their clothing, and appearance, which can give indications of their occupations, and status in the society. The fresco shows a coastal settlement, with people inhabiting the area, appearing to be performing everyday activities like working with flocks, and carrying water from a well. The tunics and the large skirts that the men and women are wearing respectively, paired with the fact that the activities they are depicted as doing would be classified as working class jobs, therefore, implies that the lower status/common individual would wear these basic garments in Theran society. There is also a row of people on the north wall frieze, who are presumably marching warriors due to the fact that they are wearing armour. The inclusion of this other type of people furthers our understanding of Theran society as a multi-faceted, diverse community, with specific and various needs, which in this case, would be military requirements. Their ox-hide shields and boar’s tusk helmets also communicates Theran society as proficient in using natural resources to their advantage, and a developing sophistication in elements of armour-making, for example the process of tanning the animals hides. This level of skill is indicative of a society