The Mycenaeans

The Mycenaeans originated in Central Asia. As their population grew, they began to spread into the Balkan Peninsula. By around 1400 B.C. the Mycenaeans had overrun the Minoans and began to rule as the dominate culture in the area.

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In order to protect their people, the Mycenaeans built large fortresses astride the hills and mountain tops of their villages. These fortresses offered a place of refuge during times of danger.

By 1100 B.C. the Mycenaean fortresses, which had fallen into disrepair due to neglect and battle, where conquered by a new people who spoke the Greek language. These people were known as the Dorians. Using Iron weapons, the Dorians had little difficulty defeating and over running the Mycenaeans.

After conquering the region, the Dorians fell into a ‘Dark Age’. Poverty became wide-spread, and important skills such as reading and writing where lost. This dark age lasted for about 300 years.

Then around 750 B.C. a group known as the Ionians brought many elements of culture, including reading, writing, and art back into the region. This began a new era of civilization referred to as the Hellenic Period. During this period, the Greeks rose to become one of the most powerful civilizations anywhere in the world.