Ki-ti-me-na

Definition

Ki-ti-me-na refers to the Mycenaean term for 'the land of Kition,' which is often associated with the broader concept of administrative and economic organization within Mycenaean society. This term is significant in understanding the Mycenaean culture as it relates to their citadels, burial practices, and the use of Linear B script for record-keeping.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The term ki-ti-me-na appears in Linear B inscriptions, highlighting the administrative functions of Mycenaean society.
2. Kition was an important site in Cyprus, indicating that the Mycenaeans were involved in trade and cultural exchanges with other regions.
3. The use of ki-ti-me-na reflects the complexity of Mycenaean economic organization, including taxation and resource management.
4. Ki-ti-me-na suggests that the Mycenaeans maintained territories beyond their mainland, which were significant for trade and military purposes.
5. Understanding ki-ti-me-na helps researchers connect archaeological evidence with written records, shedding light on Mycenaean political structures.

Review Questions

• How does the term ki-ti-me-na relate to the administrative practices in Mycenaean culture?
  • Ki-ti-me-na illustrates the advanced administrative practices within Mycenaean culture by providing insight into their economic organization. The term is associated with record-keeping found in Linear B inscriptions, which detail transactions, resources, and territory management. This indicates that the Mycenaeans had a sophisticated system in place to oversee their lands and resources effectively.
• What role did trade play in the context of ki-ti-me-na and its connections to other regions?
  • Trade played a crucial role in the context of ki-ti-me-na as it highlights the Mycenaeans' interactions with regions like Cyprus. The presence of this term in inscriptions suggests that Kition was part of a network of trade routes and exchanges that facilitated cultural and economic ties. This not only underscores the importance of trade for resource acquisition but also showcases how it influenced political relationships between different cultures.
• Evaluate how understanding ki-ti-me-na can enhance our knowledge of Mycenaean society's political and economic structures.
  • Understanding ki-ti-me-na provides valuable insights into the political and economic structures of Mycenaean society by linking archaeological findings with written records. By analyzing how this term reflects administrative control over territories, researchers can better comprehend how resources were managed and taxed. This deeper evaluation contributes to our broader understanding of how power dynamics operated within Mycenaean civilization and their complex interactions with neighboring cultures.

Related terms

Linear B: An early form of Greek script used by the Mycenaeans primarily for administrative purposes, written on clay tablets.

Citadel: A fortified center of a Mycenaean city, serving as both a palace and a administrative hub.

Tholos Tomb: A beehive-shaped burial structure used by the Mycenaeans for elite burials, showcasing their complex funerary practices.