The Mycenaeans Aegean Civilizations

What was the name of the period of settlement on the mainland of Greece around 3000-2000BCE It is called the Early Helladic period to distinguish it from the civilization on Crete. These were a simple people, poor, farmers in contrast to the wealth and urban Minoans.

Which descendants of the invaders of Greece (ca Which descendants of the invaders of Greece (ca. 2000BCE) spoke an early form of the Greek language? Mycenaeans- descendents of the Middle Helladic period.

Where did the name Mycenaean originate? From the chief political centre Mycenae

Heinrich Schliemann (excavated Mycenae in 1876)

How did Mycenaean kings live? How did they become so wealthy? Kings lived like feudal lords- each governed his own territory from a fortified palace. The gained wealth through trade (metals), piracy and the control of their own subjects (taxes)

Mycenaean Tomb

What did the Mycenaeans learn from the Minoans What did the Mycenaeans learn from the Minoans? How long did this cultural exchange last? Written script which they adapted producing Linear B Wall paintings Style of dress Vases Seal carving (ownership) This lasted until the Minoan island of Crete was actually invaded and the Minoans came under the authority of the Mycenaeans.

Mycenaean Artifacts

When was the Trojan War? What happened to the city of Troy? The Trojan War occurred circa 1240 BCE. It is a vague event best known as part of Homer’s epic tale the Odyssey. At this time the city was really a fortified town. Conflict was likely to have been over fishing rights rather than the epic story of East vs West as the Greeks later described it.

Recorded in Virgil's Aeneid (eh-knee-id) 19 BC: “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts” Refers to to the story of the wooden horse of Troy, used by the Greeks to trick their way into the city so it could be burned Recorded in Virgil's Aeneid (eh-knee-id) 19 BC: "Do not trust the horse, Trojans. Whatever it is, I fear the Greeks even when they bring gifts."

How did the Mycenaean civilization end around 1250- 1200 BCE? All of the Mycenaean citadels were captured and destroyed. They withstood attacks for about 100 years but eventually their complex script, art, craftsmanship and bureaucracy disappeared.

What are some possible explanations for the ending of the Mycenaean period? Theories of what led to the fall of the Mycenaean civilization mirror those that were affecting other groups such as the Hittites in Asia Minor: Invaders from abroad Drought Disease Famine Civil unrest It is believed that Mycenaeans gathered in Athens and then scattered to islands in the Aegean, some went to Asia Minor.

What was to follow after the Mycenaean world? A Dark Age- the population in Greece declined by 75% or more. Thousands of lives were lost and for survivors life went back to farming for subsistence. Scant records from this era are available.