The Minoan Civilization thrived in the Bronze age (in roughly 3,000 BC) within the Aegean. The center of this civilization was Crete while the Palace of Knossos is today a visitable excavation area with remarkable original restored exhibits from the ancient Palace. This was also the palace of king Minos who according to myth decreed upon the Athenians to send 10 virgins every year as a sacrifice to the Minotaur. As the Minoan written language (Linear A) has not until this day been deciphered, what archaeologists know about Minoan life and culture comes from the exceptional art, architecture, and tools of the Minoans.

The featured intaglio (engraving) is inspired from a fresco figure known as 'The Prince' depicted in the sensational hand painted fresco collection (wall painting)  at the Ancient Knossos Palace in Crete. The fresco is also known as the 'Lily' prince or the 'feathered' prince. Its an unusal engraving associated to an interesting piece of ancient history.