How did the trade-based economy of the Minoans of Crete differ from other early Mediterranean civilizations?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Because the island of Crete lacked the natural resources, presence in a river valley, and arable land necessary for an agriculturally based economy, Minoans developed a trade-based economy driven by ships sailing the Mediterranean. By trading olive oil, pottery, gemstones and manufactured goods throughout the Mediterranean region, they developed a monopoly on trade and established a very powerful civilization, writing in Linear A, and connections with multiple civilizations. This differed significantly from the self-sustaining agricultural communities that developed trade later, as well as from the maritime nature of Minoan civilization.