Mycenaean civilization

views updated May 21 2018

Mycenaean civilization Ancient Bronze Age civilization (c.1580–1120 bc) centred around Mycenae, s Greece. The Mycenaeans entered Greece from the n, bringing with them advanced techniques particularly in architecture and metallurgy. By 1400 bc, having invaded Crete and incorporated much of Minoan civilization, the Mycenaeans became the dominant power in the Aegean, trading as far as Syria, Palestine and Egypt, and importing luxurious goods for their wealthy and cultured citadel palaces. The reasons for the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization are uncertain, but it was most likely due to invasion by the Dorians.