The Flower of Knossos

This particular design is a detail from the beautiful murals that adorned the throne room of king/high priest, in the largest (22000 sq.m.) and most beautiful palace during the Minoan civilization in the city of Knossos in Crete.

It was the first large, brilliant civilization that rose in Europe and especially in Crete circa 3200 BC to 1000 BC. It is thought that its downfall began when the eruption of the Santorini volcano and tsunami caused by the earthquake that followed, hit the fleet of the Cretans which was their main means of livelihood and defense and thus became easy victims of ransacking by the Mycenaeans who arrived on the island from Peloponnese.