MYCENAEAN GREEKS Meaning and
Definition
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The Mycenaean Greeks were an ancient civilization that thrived in the Late Bronze Age on the Greek mainland, particularly in the region known as Mycenae. They emerged as a dominant force around 1600 BCE and reached their peak between 1400 and 1200 BCE. The Mycenaean culture is named after the archaeological site of Mycenae, where traces of their advanced civilization were first discovered.
The Mycenaean Greeks were known for their remarkable achievements in architecture, science, art, and military prowess. They developed a writing system known as Linear B, which was deciphered in the 1950s and revealed valuable insights into their society. The Mycenaean Greeks constructed elaborate palaces, built fortified citadels, and established a sophisticated bureaucracy to govern their territories.
Trade played a crucial role in their society, as they engaged in commerce with other Mediterranean cultures, such as the Minoans on the island of Crete and various civilizations in the eastern Mediterranean. The Mycenaeans were skilled seafarers and developed a strong navy that allowed them to control trade routes and establish colonies in several parts of the Mediterranean.
The decline of the Mycenaean Greeks is attributed to a combination of factors, including natural disasters, internal conflicts, and the invasions of the Sea Peoples. Their civilization collapsed around 1100 BCE, leading to a period of societal regression known as the Greek Dark Ages.
Despite their eventual downfall, the Mycenaean Greeks left a significant impact on subsequent civilizations, particularly on the culture, traditions, and myths of classical Greece.
Etymology of MYCENAEAN GREEKS
The word "Mycenaean" refers to the civilization that thrived during the late Bronze Age in ancient Greece, from around the 16th to the 12th century BCE. The term "Mycenaean" is derived from the name of the archaeological site of Mycenae, located in the northeastern Peloponnese, Greece. Mycenae was a significant center of the Mycenaean civilization and was excavated in the late 19th century by the German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann.
The term "Greeks" simply refers to the inhabitants of Greece, the country located in southeastern Europe. The word "Greeks" ultimately originates from the Latin word "Graecus", which is derived from the Greek term "Graikoi", referring to the people who lived in the region of Epirus in northwestern Greece.
