MYCENAEAN CIVILIZATION: ORIGIN, CHARACTERISTICS, ORGANIZATION - HISTORY - 2025

The Mycenaean civilization developed at the end of the Bronze Age, in the area of ​​the Greek Peloponnese. This historical stage is part of the so-called pre-Hellenic period of the Helladic. Its name comes from one of its main cities, Mycenae, founded, according to one of the existing hypotheses, by the Achaeans.

That city gave name to one of the most important civilizations of its time and that greatly influenced later classical Greece. Generally, Mycenaean is framed between 1600 BC and 1150 BC, approximately.

Location of the first Mycenaean cities. No machine-readable author provided. Bibi Saint-Pol assumed (based on copyright claims)., via Wikimedia Commons

The lack of reliable sources makes it very difficult to know in depth some aspects of this civilization. Apart from the writings found in some sites, there are indirect references in works such as those of Homer. However, as with the Greek myths related to Mycenae, they are still literary sources.

The disappearance of the Mycenaean civilization would give way to the time known as the Greek Dark Ages. The reason for the fall has been the subject of various speculations by experts.

Theories range from the invasion of the Dorians to the attack of a mysterious sea people, passing through the result of a climate change suffered in that period.

Origin and history

The famous archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann was in Greece seeking to demonstrate that part of the world described in the works of Homer (the Iliad and the Odyssey) when he found the remains of ancient Mycenae and Tiryns.

These excavations resulted in the discovery of remains of the Mycenaean civilization. Some examples of these finds are the mask of Agamemnon found in a tomb or the remains of Nestor's palace in Pylos.

Mask of Agamemnon. 16th century BC. DieBuche

However, it was the works of Arthur Evans at the beginning of the 20th century that managed to highlight this civilization and distinguish it from the Minoan culture, which preceded it chronologically.

the beginning

The most accepted theory affirms that several invading peoples entered Greece around 1700 BC At that time, the Cretans had developed the very advanced Minoan civilization, culturally far superior to the newcomers. However, militarily the conquerors were more efficient.

Once mainland Greece was reached, the Achaean invaders built fortresses, which would eventually become important cities in the area, such as Athens. The settlement that acquired the greatest relevance was Mycenae, from which the name of the civilization and its culture derived.

The Achaeans, who came from Anatolia, easily prevailed thanks to the superiority of their weapons. Since their arrival and until 1400 BC they maintained peaceful relations with the Minoans, who would provide them with much knowledge. However, once they were consolidated, they did not hesitate to attack Crete.

Mythological foundation

The Greeks, as usual, created their own mythology about the founding of Mycenae, with Perseus as the protagonist.

According to the myth, Perseus, demigod son of Zeus, accidentally killed his grandfather Acrisio, king of Argos. This fact legitimately made him a new monarch, but he decided to reject that throne and found a new city, Mycenae.

Historical division

Despite the fact that it is quite controversial, many historians follow the chronological division of Mycenae's history based on ceramics. These periods are:

- Period I: ca. 1550 BC C.

- Period II: ca. 1500

- Period III A: ca. 1425

- Period III B: ca. 1300

- Period III C (including sub-Mycenaean): ca. 1230-1050.

Period I

During this first period, which includes the transition between the Middle Helladic and the Recent Helladic, the cultural characteristics of the Mycenaean civilization began to take shape.

Period II

Contrary to what happens with the previous period, more remains have appeared from this period, which allows for greater knowledge.

It is known, for example, that the Mycenaeans maintained frequent contact with the inhabitants of Crete, who made up the Minoan civilization. There are even historians who claim that these seconds hired Mycenaean soldiers as mercenaries, although it is not 100 percent proven.

The end of the period coincides with the conquest of Crete by the Mycenaeans. With this, they not only controlled that area of ​​the Mediterranean Sea, but also acquired important wealth and the trade routes created by the Cretans.

Period III

This time is the peak of the Mycenaean civilization. In addition to having conquered Crete, they expanded to other Aegean islands, such as Rhodes or the Cyclades, even reaching the coasts of Asia Minor.

Likewise, Mycenaean remains have been found in Cyprus, so it is thought that a Mycenaean colony must have existed there.

One of the characteristics of this period is the consolidation of its social and political structure. The experts affirm that they took from the Minoans their structure based on palaces, buildings with many functions around which political, economic and religious power was exercised.

Likewise, they inherited their maritime dominance from the Cretans, accompanied by commercial activity abroad, writing and other cultural aspects.

On the other hand, during this period, the Mycenaean buildings gain in monumentality. Both the fortress palaces built in the Peloponnese, as the tholoi increase in size and grandeur.

The Trojan War: myth and reality

The Trojan War was recounted by Homer in his Iliad. There was always the question of whether he had taken advantage of a real event for his story or if it had been just a pure invention.

In the play, Paris, the son of the King of Troy (located today in Turkey) fell in love with Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world. This was the wife of the King of Sparta, Menelaus, who sent an army to rescue her.

The Greeks, commanded by Agamemnon, brother of Menelaus and king of Mycenae, laid siege to Troy. For 10 years they were trying to take the city, although with little success. Finally, they tricked the Trojans by gifting them a large wooden horse and pretending to retreat.

The reality, obviously, was less epic. Troy had become a serious commercial competition for Mycenae thanks to its geographical location. The Mycenaeans, a warrior people, did not hesitate to undertake a military expedition in the 13th century BC to end this competition.

The most striking thing, for historians, is that after conquering it they gave up establishing a colony there. The most common explanation is that, at this time, Mycenae was beginning to show signs of weakness.

Fall of the Mycenaean civilization

At the beginning of the 12th century BC, the Mycenaean civilization began its decline. There are many unknowns about the circumstances that led to its disappearance as a military and economic power.

As early as the 13th century BC, there were some major fires in Mycenae or Pylos that weakened those cities. Around 1200 BC, another wave of destruction for the same reason swept through the Mycenaean civilization, reaching, again, Mycenae and other towns such as Tirinto, Crisa or Tebas.

The cause of those fires is not known. Historians have not reached a consensus on what could have caused them. Some say they were caused by the Dorians, a people that would eventually invade the area. Others claim that they were the so-called peoples of the sea, which attacked other empires, such as the Hittite or the Egyptian.

Finally, another historiographic trend indicates that they could be caused by internal disturbances, whether they were civil wars, clashes between the different Mycenaean kingdoms or civil uprisings.

These waves of destruction did not, however, mean the absolute end of civilization, but only that of the Mycenaean palace system. The weaker civilization survived until 1100 BC

Location

The city of Mycenae, which gave the civilization its name, was located in the Peloponnese, in Argolis. It was one of the least welcoming regions in the area, with few water reserves, poor harvests and surrounded by mountain ranges.

This explains why the Mycenaean kingdoms rose on the shores of the Peloponnese, leaving the interior unoccupied. Over time, they extended their territory to the north, on the one hand, and to nearby islands, such as Crete itself.

General characteristics

Although the Mycenaean civilization was influenced by the Minoan, its predecessor, there are many differentiating features between the two, starting with ethnicity.

Warrior society

The Mycenaeans were described as a warrior people ruled by a monarchy. Homer himself highlighted these characteristics as a characteristic feature of his society.

Part of that conquering character can be clearly seen in its technical advances. Thus, they used a kind of chariot, very light and drawn by horses. In addition, it is known that they used the long sword in their confrontations and that they wore armor made of bronze plates to protect themselves.

Tholos

The tholos were large tombs that appear throughout the Mycenaean territory. The most famous is the so-called Tomb of Atreus, located in Mycenae.

They consisted of a huge burial chamber built entirely from stone blocks. It is an unprecedented type of funeral construction, neither inside nor outside Greece.

Agriculture and trade

Despite the low fertility of their territory, the Mycenaeans managed to develop agriculture. In the beginnings of civilization, it was the base of its economy, but, later, trade displaced it to become the most important activity.

After the conquest of Crete, the Mycenaeans took over as a commercial maritime power. As noted above, this led to clashes with several competing cities.

Settlements

Mycenaean settlements were based on houses called megarons. These were structures with a colonnaded porch, a rectangular room and, in many cases, a pantry.

The most prominent building in the towns founded by this civilization was the palace. In addition to being the center of political power, these palaces also had a religious function, which they shared with some shrines outside the settlements.

Later, they ended up building fortifications or defensive walls to protect their cities.

Writing

After taking Crete, the Mycenaeans adopted the Minoan script to reflect their own language, Greek. To do this, they changed the writing system, replacing Linear A (exclusive to Crete) by the so-called Linear B.

Political and social organization

The great problem that historians find when analyzing the society and politics of the Mycenaean civilization is the absence of direct sources.

Only the organization of some of the kingdoms that were part of that civilization is known. Normally, an extrapolation is made to the rest of the territories, although it cannot be confirmed 100% that it is correct.

Allied kingdoms

The kingdoms that were part of the Mycenaean civilization were organized around palaces. The economy was totally centralized and the society maintained a strong hierarchical structure.

The fortifications built seem to indicate that there were clashes between the different kingdoms, either for the control of sources of wealth or for the expansionist anxieties of some of them.

Allied kingdoms

The Mycenaean civilization was composed of several kingdoms allied to each other but independent. It can be said that they were the antecedent of the Greek polis, although in the case of the Mycenaean civilization, the kingdoms could encompass large territories.

The states of Pylos and Knossos

The importance of these two kingdoms lies in the fact that archaeologists were able to find some tablets that help to understand the political organization of the Mycenaean civilization.

In principle, each state had a king at the head. The monarch's title was Wanax, which means "Lord of the Palaces."

In a second place in the hierarchy was the Lawagetas, identified by experts as the chief of the armies. Both figures controlled their own territories.

Another important figure was the telestai, a kind of landowner. Some researchers attribute religious functions to them, although this has not been proven. Still within that hierarchy of command were the equetai, who owned slaves and belonged to the upper class.

In the case of Pylos, the tablets show that it was divided into two large provinces. This seems to imply that the Mycenaean kingdoms could be decentralized, even if they answered to the same king.

In addition to the province, there was another administrative division, the districts. Each of them, made up of several towns, had as its representative a governor appointed by the monarch.

Society

As with political power, society was also hierarchical. Experts say that it was divided into two groups: the king's environment, a kind of upper class, and the demos, the people.

The demos, despite being free men, was obliged to develop communal works. According to sources, they also had to pay certain taxes to the palace.

Beneath these two groups of free men were the slaves. The only testimonies that have been found about them concern those who worked directly for the palace, so it is not known if they also existed in other positions.

Art

The most important fields within Mycenaean art are architecture, especially palaces, and ceramics. In both cases, it is easy to appreciate the Minoan influence on their characteristics.

The Mycenaean palaces

Historians and archaeologists highlight the beauty of the palaces of Mycenae, Tirinto and Pylos. Their importance, moreover, went beyond their architectural structure, since they were the administration centers of the Mycenaean kingdoms.

Its architecture proves that they collected the influence of those built by the Minoan civilization, with some similar aspects.

These large structures were organized around various courtyards. From there, it was possible to access rooms of different sizes, with storage, residence or workshops functions. In the center of the palace was the Megaron, the throne room. The buildings, as far as is known, were only one story high.

Ceramics

Within the archaeological sites, numerous ceramic remains have been found. The styles are very varied, having found jars, pitchers, vases or craters, among other objects.

Although the size is highly variable, the models maintain a homogeneity throughout the Mycenaean civilization. It is known that the jars were highly prized as an item for export. Those that were to be sold outside the Mycenaean kingdoms were usually more luxurious and the craftsmen endowed them with a more elaborate decoration.

Along with these ceramic products, many examples of metal tableware have also appeared, especially bronze. In a few other cases, earthenware or ivory jugs have been found.

Sculpture

Mycenaean sculpture does not stand out for its large size, at least according to the evidence found. Most of the creations were fine figurines, made from baked earth.

They used to be, for the most part, anthropomorphic figures, both male and female. Some were only painted in one color, while others were polychrome.

The function of these statuettes is not known for sure, but the main theory is that they were related to religious worship.

Economy

The texts found show that the economic organization in the Mycenaean civilization orbited, like everything else, around the palaces. Many of its inhabitants worked directly for the palaces, although there were also those who did it on their own.

An important figure was that of the scribe. Its function was to control the inputs and outputs of the products, distribute the tasks and distribute the rations.

Agricult

The most common land ownership system was communal. The field was worked by the damo, the common people.

Moreover, the palace owned its own lands. One part belonged directly to the king and the other was handed over for exploitation to the members of the administration of the palace itself.

In terms of products, the Mycenaeans focused on traditional Mediterranean products: wheat, olive trees and vineyards, although they also dedicated a part of their land to cereals such as barley, linen for clothing and fruit trees.

Industry

The artisans of the Mycenaean civilization were specialized in each job. Each belonged to a category and was intended for a specific stage of production.

One of the most important sectors was the textile industry. According to the writings found, in Pylos there were about 550 workers in this industry, while in Knossos they reached 900. There were 15 textile specialties, wool and linen being the most used materials.

On the other hand, metallurgy also played an important role in the Mycenaean economy. Every day, in Pylos, about 3.5 kilos of bronze were distributed to carry out the works commissioned. Some tablets found at Knossos indicate that the artisans of that city were specialists in making swords.

Lastly, there is evidence of the existence of a significant perfume industry. Scented oils were made, many of which were destined for export.

Commerce

The evidence that the Mycenaeans practiced trade is due to the findings of their products in many parts of the Mediterranean. So far, no written references have been found at any site, with the exception of some references to the distribution of textile products.

It is assumed that, after conquering Crete, the Mycenaeans seized the Minoan trade routes. Many amphorae, which were used to transport products, have been found in the Aegean, Anatolia, Egypt and in western Sicily. Interestingly, they have also appeared in Central Europe and Great Britain.

Religion

The religion of the Mycenaean civilization is quite unknown, given the lack of sources that describe it. The texts found are limited to providing the names of the gods and the offerings that were made to them, but without explaining religious practices.

Pantheon

Some of the gods that the Mycenaeans worshiped lasted until the time of classical Greece. One of those who seems to have been most important was Poseidon, god of the sea and who, at that time, was also associated with earthquakes.

Similarly, as in Minoan Crete, female deities were of special importance. Among them a Lady of the Labyrinth and another Mother Goddess named Diwia.

Apart from those already mentioned, the Mycenaeans worshiped the couple Zeus-Hera, Ares, Hermes, Athena, Artemis or Dionysus, among others.

At the moment, no great temple from that historical period has been found. It is assumed that some buildings located outside the cities could have a function to the current small hermitages.

Domestic worship

Many researchers consider that a domestic cult existed. Some sanctuaries have been found with many statues inside. It is believed that these figures were part of offerings made to the protective gods of the home.

References

1. Pigna, Felipe. Mycenaean culture. Obtained from elhistoriador.com.ar
2. Pellini, Claudio. Origin and development of the Mycenaean civilization. Obtained from historiaybiografias.com
3. EcuRed. Mycenae. Obtained from ecured.cu
4. Cartwright, Mark. Mycenaean Civilization. Retrieved from ancient.eu
5. Mycenaean Greece. Economy. Retrieved from fhw.gr
6. UNESCO World Heritage Center. Archaeological Sites of Mycenae and Tiryns. Retrieved from whc.unesco.org
7. Lialios, Giorgos. Why the Mycenaean Civilization Collapsed in the Peloponnese. Retrieved from greece-is.com