The Mycenaeans
First advanced Greek civilization of the Bronze Age.
They represent the first advanced and distinctively Greek civilization in that region, characterized by palatial states, urban organization, works of art, and the writing system known as Linear B, which provides the earliest written records of the Greek language. Their culture was likely stimulated by contact with Minoan Crete and other Mediterranean cultures, and their most prominent site was Mycenae, after which the civilization is named.
- field
- Bronze Age civilization
- nationality
- Greek (mainland Greece)
- known_for
- Linear B script, palatial states, warrior elite society, Trojan Epic Cycle setting
Lore & Background
The Mycenaean period is divided into three cultural phases: Early Mycenaean (c. Their society was dominated by a warrior elite, with a king known as a wanax at the head of rigid hierarchical systems. Centers of power included Mycenae, Pylos, Tiryns, Midea, Orchomenos, Thebes, Athens, and Iolcos, with settlements also appearing in Epirus, Macedonia, Aegean islands, Asia Minor, and Cyprus.
Reader's Guide
The Mycenaeans are significant as the first Greek civilization to develop a written language (Linear B), which demonstrates the continuity of Greek speech from the second millennium BC into the eighth century BC. Their religion included deities later found in the Olympic pantheon, and their period became the historical setting for much ancient Greek literature and mythology, including the Trojan Epic Cycle. The civilization perished with the collapse of Bronze Age culture in the eastern Mediterranean, leading to the Greek Dark Ages. Various theories for its end include the Dorian invasion, activities of the Sea Peoples, natural disasters, and climatic changes, but no single cause is universally accepted.
Did You Know?
- The Mycenaeans used a syllabic script called Linear B, which records the earliest known form of the Greek language.
- The name 'Mycenaean' comes from the site of Mycenae, the most prominent center of this civilization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What defined The Mycenaeans's society and culture?
Their civilization was built around palatial states, organized urban centers, and a warrior-elite social structure. They also developed Linear B, the earliest known written form of the Greek language, and their artistic output was shaped in part by interactions with Minoan Crete and other Mediterranean neighbors.
Why is The Mycenaeans important in the Lost Civilizations series?
They hold the distinction of being the first advanced, distinctly Greek civilization in the region, making them a foundational entry in the series. Their legacy includes the setting for the Trojan Epic Cycle and the earliest written records of Greek.
What is The Mycenaeans most known for?
The civilization is best remembered for its Linear B script, its network of fortified palatial states, and its warrior-elite culture. The prominent site of Mycenae itself gave the entire civilization its name.
More in Lost Civilizations 1-24
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