What is the Mycenaean civilization known for?

The Greek Mycenaean civilization is known for its fortified cities like Mycenae, Tiryns, and Argos. The Mycenaeans controlled the Greek Peloponnese and the Aegean in general from Crete to the Cycladic islands. Famous Mycenaeans in mythology include King Agamemnon who won the Trojan War.

Who discovered the Mycenaean civilization?

The Mycenaean civilization was discovered by the German pioneer archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann who excavated sites like Mycenae and Troy.

What are three achievements of the Mycenaean civilization?

Three achievements of the Mycenaean civilization are Linear B script, Cyclopean walls with interior passageways, and the Megaron part of palace buildings which influenced later Greek temples.

What happened to the Mycenaeans?

It is not clear why the Mycenaean civilization collapsed. The reasons may be one or more of the following: natural disaster, overpopulation, internal social and political unrest, invasion from foreign tribes such as the Sea Peoples, and regional climate change.

Mycenaean Civilization Timeline

Definition

The Mycenaean civilization flourished in the Late Bronze Age (c. 1700-1100 BCE), peaking from the 15th to the 13th century BCE. The Mycenaeans extended their influence throughout the Peloponnese in Greece and across the Aegean from Crete to the Cycladic islands. They are named after their chief city of Mycenae in the Argolid of the northeast Peloponnese.

More about: Mycenaean Civilization

Timeline

3000 BCE - 2000 BCE
First inhabitation of Mycenae area.
c. 2100 BCE
First evidence of building structures at Mycenae.
c. 1900 BCE
First recorded settlement at Eleusis.
c. 1700 BCE - c. 1600 BCE
First shaft graves constructed at Mycenae.
1700 BCE - 1100 BCE
The Mycenaean civilization dominates Greece.
c. 1700 BCE - c. 1100 BCE
Mycenaean Period. Agora established at Athens.
1600 BCE - 1200 BCE
The Mycenaean settlement of Serayia flourishes on Kos.
c. 1600 BCE
First evidence of elite buildings at Mycenae.
c. 1550 BCE
Gold death masks (including that of 'Agamemnon') made at Mycenae.
1500 BCE - 1200 BCE
Sphinxes are represented in Mycenaean art, particularly in pottery and ivory carving.
c. 1500 BCE - 1200 BCE
Mycenae at its peak of influence.
c. 1500 BCE - c. 1400 BCE
First palace structure and Treasury of Atreus tomb built at Mycenae.
c. 1500 BCE - c. 1200 BCE
The Linear B script of the Mycenaean civilization is in use.
c. 1500 BCE
First tholos tombs built at Mycenae.
1500 BCE - 1300 BCE
Mycenaean Thebes at its peak of prosperity and influence.
c. 1450 BCE - c. 1400 BCE
Minoan Palatial period superseded by Mycenaean.
c. 1450 BCE
Mycenaean monumental architecture first appears at Epidaurus.
c. 1450 BCE
Mycenaen influence extended to Knossos, Crete.
1400 BCE - 1300 BCE
Mycenaean palace architecture at Tiryns.
1400 BCE - 1300 BCE
Mycenaean fortifications, palaces and tombs constructed at Argos.
c. 1400 BCE
Rhodes has significant contact with the Mycenaean civilization.
1400 BCE - 1100 BCE
Culture in the Cyclades is increasingly influenced by the Mycenaean civilization of mainland Greece.
c. 1350 BCE
First evidence of a cult to Dionysos in Mycenaean culture.
1300 BCE - 1200 BCE
Mycenaean Tiryns is at the height of its importance.
c. 1300 BCE
First palace destroyed at Mycenae and repaired, Lion Gate added and fortifications extended.
c. 1300 BCE - c. 1250 BCE
Cyclopean stone bridge built near Mycenae.
1250 BCE - 1200 BCE
Mycenaean chamber tombs constructed at Thebes.
c. 1200 BCE
Earthquake severely damages Tiryns.
c. 1200 BCE - c. 1100 BCE
Mycenaean Epidaurus at its peak of prosperity.
c. 1200 BCE
Second palace destroyed at Mycenae, city begins to decline.
1200 BCE - 1100 BCE
Argos takes over from Mycenae as most important regional power in the Argolid.