The Mycenaeans of Early Greece
Unlike the Minoans of Crete the Mycenaeans settled in the area that lacked natural boundaries. On the mainland they were separated from one another by mountains. AS a result of trade their culture was greatly influenced by the civilizations existing in the Middle East and Egypt. During the early part of their history the Mycenaeans were controlled by the Minoans. Then as we have seen the Mycenaeans overthrew the Minoans and destroyed their culture. They overtook the island's trade and Mycenaean seaports thrived
Wealth
The Mycenaean civilization rich from trade a and drawing heavily from other peoples' ideas provided much gold and riches for its' citizens. Archaeologists have discovered a mother and child wrapped in gold foil. They also have found gold cups and dishes.
Ships
Greek merchant ships such as this one sailed the Mediterranean Sea taking the Greek culture to to other lands and bringing back merchandise.
A warlike people
The Mycenaeans were in constant civil conflict. They proved to be more warlike and aggressive than the Minoans. The early inhabitants developed fortified centers at Pylos, Thebes, Mycenae, and other sites. These places were never cities like Knossos or Babylon. The people lived in small farming villages around these administrative centers which were ruled by kings.
Architecture
Although the Mycenaeans produced no great cities they did build fortresses called citadels on the tops of high cliffs for protection. Each fortress called and acropolis had a temple for the gods and a palace for the king within its walls. the name "acropolis"is derived from the Greek words kros meaning "highest" and polis meaning "city." Therefor and acropolis is a "high protected place." It was probably due to rival trade routes that the Mycenaeans joined forces and attacked the wealthy trade city of Troy about 1200 B.C.
Troy
For thousands of years people reading the Iliad of Homer's epic of how the Greeks destroyed Troy considered the story a myth. In 1870 a German archaeologist name Heinrich Schlieman determined to discover Tory. For the next fourteen years he excavated the ancient site in northwestern Asia Minor until he discovered the ancient city of Troy the Greeks destroyed. Since then archaeologists have learned Troy was built and destroyed nine times.
The Dorian Invasion
Not long after the attack on Troy the Mycenaeans were invaded by a group of northern people called the Dorians. Although the seaport citadel of Pylos made every effort to defend itself it was overcome and destroyed. After this invasion Greece was again isolated from the rest of the word. During this time the Greek civilization developed on its own with new ideas about government. Many Greek political concepts have been adopted by the United States government.