Mycenaean Civilization Overview

Study Notes

The Mycenaeans were the ancestors of classical Greeks, referred to as Achæans, Danaans, or Argives, and their civilization is known as Mycenaean.
Preceded by the Minoans, the Mycenaeans dominated the Aegean region with a distinctive mainland style in architecture, art, language, and more.
Mycenaean Greece was a loose confederation of independent kingdoms with related dynasties, each centered around a fortified palace complex.
The central hierarchy in Mycenaean states was led by the 'wanax' who had roles in religious matters, economy, and war, followed by the 'lawagetas' and an entourage of chariot warrior nobility.
Linear B tablets, an archaic form of Greek writing, provide bureaucratic details of the Mycenaean civilization rather than narratives like the Trojan War.
Mycenaeans engaged in extensive trade with other civilizations like the Egyptians, Syrians, and Hittites, likely using Akkadian or Hittite in international diplomacy.
The Mycenaeans settled in Anatolia, establishing a palace culture and engaging with the Hittite Empire, possibly playing a role in the events leading to the Trojan War.
Around 1200 BC, various great states in the Near East collapsed or contracted due to a series of unfortunate events, with some Mycenaeans possibly becoming victims or allies of The Sea People, believed to be the ancestors of the biblical Philistines.

Description

Explore the key aspects of the Mycenaean civilization, including their architecture, governance structure, trade relations, and interactions with other ancient cultures. Learn about the roles of wanax, lawagetas, and the use of Linear B tablets in administration.