Mycenaean Greece

The Mycenaeans were a group of people who lived in Greece from about 1600 to 1100 BCE. They built strong fortress cities on hilltops. They were fierce warriors and skilled builders. The Mycenaeans became the most powerful people in the region after the Minoans faded away. Many of the stories from Greek myths, like the Trojan War, may be based on real Mycenaean events.

Mighty Fortress Cities

The Mycenaeans built their cities on high hills and surrounded them with thick stone walls. The city of Mycenae had a famous entrance called the Lion Gate. Inside the cities were palaces, storerooms, and workshops. The rulers were powerful kings who controlled the land and the people. They kept records on clay tablets using a writing system called Linear B.

Warriors and Traders

The Mycenaeans were known for their strong armies. Their soldiers carried bronze swords and shields. They also wore helmets made from boar tusks. But they were not just fighters. They traded with Egypt, Italy, and other places around the Mediterranean Sea. Around 1100 BCE, their civilization collapsed. Historians are not sure exactly why, but wars and droughts may have played a part.

Fun Facts

• Mycenaean warriors wore armor made of bronze plates that covered their whole body.
• The famous gold 'Mask of Agamemnon' was found at Mycenae, though it may not actually belong to the legendary king.
• The Mycenaeans used the first known form of written Greek.

Did You Know?

The walls of Mycenae were so huge that the ancient Greeks believed giants called Cyclopes must have built them.