AP WORLD HISTORY

MYCENAEAN GREECE
The Mycenaean Age dates from around 1600 BC to 1100
BC, during the Bronze Age. Mycenae is an archaeological site
in Greece from which the name Mycenaean Age is derived.
Mycenae site is located in the Peloponnese, Southern
Greece. The remains of a Mycenaean palace were found at
this site, accounting for its importance. Other notable sites
during the Mycenaean Age include Athens, Thebes, Pylos
and Tiryns.
According to Homer, the Mycenaean civilization is dedicated
to King Agamemnon who led the Greeks in the Trojan War.
The palace found at Mycenae matches Homer's description
of Agamemnon's residence. The amount and quality of
possessions found at the graves at the site provide an
insight to the affluence and prosperity of the Mycenaean
civilization. Prior to the Mycenaean's ascendancy in Greece,
the Minoan culture was dominant. However, the Mycenaeans
defeated the Minoans, acquiring the city of Troy in the
process; according to Homer's Illiad (some historians argue
this is Myth rather than fact). Mycenaean culture was based
around its main cities in Mycenae, Tiryns, Pylos, Athens,
Thebes, Orchomenos, and Folksier.
The Mycenaeans also inhabited the ruins of Knossos on
Crete, which was a major city during the Minoan era.
Mycenaean and Minoan art melded, forming a cultural
amalgamation that is found on Crete (figurines, sculptures
and pottery). During the Mycenaean civilization the class
diversification of rich and poor, higher classes and lower
became more established, with extreme wealth being mostly
reserved for the King, his entourage and other members of
the royal circle. Like the Minoans, the Mycenaeans built
grand palaces and fortified citadels, with administrative and
political powers firmly under royal authority. Mycenaean
society was to some extent a warrior culture and their
military was ever prepared for battle, be it in defense of a
city or to protect its wealth and cultural treasures.
The Mycenaeans were bold traders and maintained
contact with other countries from the Mediterranean and
Europe. They were excellent engineers and built outstanding
bridges, tombs, residences and palaces. Their tombs known
as 'beehive tombs' were circular in shape with a high roof. A
single passage made of stone led to the tomb. A variety of

possessions, including arms and armor, were buried with the

dead, while the more affluent might also be buried with gold
and jeweler. Interestingly, rather than being buried in a
sleeping position, Mycenaeans were interred in a sitting
position, with the richer classes sometimes being
mummified.
The Mycenaeans invented their own script known as
Linear B, which was an improved derivative of Linear A (a
language commonly accepted as Minoan or Eteocretan).
Habitation:
The settlements of Mycenaean civilization are largely
known from archaeological remains. The citadels built during
the Mycenaean Age were constructed using the Cyclopean
stonework style, with huge entrances made with large
stones. These citadels were administrative headquarters for
the rulers. At the highest peaks of the citadels the palaces of
the kings were built. The basic planning of these palaces was
similar to Minoan structures, with different rooms for
different functions, styled accordingly. The buildings were
not complex in structure and were built around a central
megaton. The structural design was an earlier element of
Helladic architecture.
The common people lived at the foot of the citadels in the
countryside or nearby regions. These settlements were
generally based at hillocks or plains where land was fertile
and water was abundant. Along with plains, port and coastal
sites were of equal importance from the viewpoint of
economy and trade.
Society:
The difference of classes in societal structure can, to some
extent, be derived from the goods that were buried in their
graves. It is clear that there was a strong, ruling class and a
lower group of the common people.
The political hierarchy consisted of the 'The Wanax' (or
King), at the top, who was the political and religious leader.
Below him were the local chiefs and controllers who looked
after administrative duties. The safety of the state was the
responsibility of the Lawagetas, the head of the army.
Because of this efficient hierarchy, the Mycenaean Age was
economically and culturally affluent, while weapons, arms
and armaments found in graves and sites confirm their
society as military inclined.
Economy:
The Mycenaeans followed a bipartite system of working.

There were two groups of people. One who worked in the

palace for the rulers and another who were self-employed.
But even those people who worked in the palace could run
their own business if they wished.
The scribes overlooked economic production and
transactions. They also organized the distribution of rations
and allotted work.
Agriculture:
The agricultural economy was well organized and had well
distributed storage centers for products and crops. The
surplus was kept in palaces as a form of tax. We know this
from records kept in the form of clay tablets.
Important goods produced were cereals, olive oil and wine,
while herbs, spices and honey were also cultivated. Sheep
and goats were grazed for their wool and milk. Goods and
produce were also exported to foreign countries, especially
olive oil.
Industry:
The textile industry was one of the most significant
industries during the Mycenaean civilization. From the first
stage of grazing the sheep, stocking the wool in the palaces
to the last stage of the finished product in the form of a
cloth, everything was meticulously organized. The palace of
Pylos employed around 550 textile workers while at Knossos
there were 900. Wool, fiber and flax were the most important
textiles.
Another important industry was the metal industry where
metallurgy was practiced in an advanced form. At Pylos
about 400 workers were employed. At Knossos, tablets
suggest, that swords and weapons were manufactured in
quantity. Another interesting industry was the perfume
industry. Oils of rose, sage, etc. were used to make perfumes
and scents. Other skilled craftsmen included goldsmiths,
ivory-carvers, stone carvers, and potters.
Mycenaean Greece was the last phase of the Bronze Age in Ancient Greece. It
takes its name from the archaeological site of Mycenae in northeastern Argolis, in
the Peloponnese of southern Greece; other important sites of this period
are Athens, Pylos, Thebes, and Tiryns. It is the historical setting of much
ancient Greek literature and myth, including the epics of Homer like the Illiad and
the Odyssey.