Rise of Mycenaean Civilization: What Happened
Around 1600 BC, a new power began to rise on the Greek mainland. It is named after Mycenae, its most famous center in the Argolid, but it also included powerful kingdoms at Pylos, Tiryns, Thebes and elsewhere. The Mycenaeans were the first civilization to speak and write an early form of Greek, making them the direct ancestors of later Greek culture. Their rise is marked by the spectacular shaft graves at Mycenae, filled with gold masks, weapons and jewelry that show a warrior elite growing rich through trade and conquest. Strongly influenced by Minoan Crete, the Mycenaeans borrowed its art, script and styles, then went on to take control of Knossos itself around 1450 BC. At their height, between about 1400 and 1200 BC, they built fortified palaces with massive walls, beehive-shaped royal tombs and a trade network reaching Egypt, Anatolia, Cyprus and Italy. The heroes of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, including Agamemnon, Menelaus and Nestor, belong to this world, remembered centuries later as Greece's age of heroes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the Mycenaeans?
The Mycenaeans were the first Greek-speaking civilization, flourishing on the Greek mainland from around 1600 to 1100 BC. They were ruled by warrior kings from fortified palaces at Mycenae, Pylos, Tiryns, Thebes and other centers.
Why is it called the Mycenaean civilization?
It is named after Mycenae in the Argolid, its most famous and powerful center. In Greek legend, Mycenae was the city of King Agamemnon, who led the Greeks in the Trojan War.
Were the Mycenaeans Greek?
Yes. Their Linear B records prove they spoke an early form of Greek, and they worshipped gods such as Zeus, Hera and Poseidon. They are the direct ancestors of later Greek civilization.
How were the Mycenaeans influenced by the Minoans?
The Mycenaeans borrowed heavily from Minoan Crete, adopting its art styles, fresco painting, pottery and writing, which they adapted into Linear B. Around 1450 BC, they took control of Knossos itself.
What is the Mycenaean civilization known for?
The Mycenaeans are known for massive Cyclopean walls, beehive-shaped tombs, gold treasures such as the Mask of Agamemnon, far-reaching trade and the heroic world later described in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey.
More Events from Mycenaean Greece & Dark Ages
