Peresch V. Social and political structure of the Minoan Crete (the second half of the XVII century - middle of XV century B.C.).

The thesis deals with social and political structure of Minoan Crete of second half of the XVII century - middle of XV century B.C. The core areas investigated in the thesis are: administrative-territorial system of Crete, analysis of social structure of Minoan society and investigation of so-called "Minoan matriarchy" and Minoan monarchy. It's pointed out, that Palaces were the main organization centers around which the Crete was formed. The process of formation and development of maritime Crete was reviewed. The author made an attempt to show the process of political confrontation in Cretan society and formed the hypothesis of "party" totemismus. New concept of "Minoan matriarchy" was proposed, being the rule of conservative socio-political "party" in which essential role was played also by Cretan male priestly elite, along with female. As the part of the research, the role of external expansion of Cretan kings in formation of Minoan monarchy was determined.