The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998/Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso/M/Mycenaean_civilization/INFOTEXT

Text File | 1992-09-01 | 1KB | 29 lines

Bronze Age civilization that flourished in
Crete, Cyprus, Greece, the Aegean Islands,
and W Anatolia about 4000-1000 BC. During
this period, magnificent architecture and
sophisticated artefacts were produced.
Originating in Crete, it spread into Greece
about 1600 BC, where it continued to thrive,
with its centre at Mycenae, after the decline
of Crete in about 1400. It was finally
overthrown by the Dorian invasions, about
1100. The system of government was by kings,
who also monopolized priestly functions. The
Mycenaeans have been identified with the
Achaeans of Homer, and were among the
besiegers at Troy. They may also have been
the marauding sea peoples of Egyptian
records. They used a form of Greek deciphered
by Michael Ventris. Their palaces were large
and luxurious, and contained highly efficient
sanitary arrangements. Commercial relations
were maintained with Egypt. Pottery,
frescoes, and metalwork reached a high
artistic level. Evidence of the civilization
was brought to light by the excavations of
Heinrich Schliemann at Troy, Mycenae, and
Tiryns (a stronghold on the plain of Argolis)
from 1870 onwards, and of Arthur Evans in
Crete from 1899.