Mycenaean Civilization - Term Paper Example

The Mycenaean Civilization Introduction The “Mycenaean” in Mycenaean civilization was derived from the city of Mycenae in Peloponnese, Southern Greece. The Mycenaean civilization, however, was made up of Athens, Thebes, Pylos, and Tiryns, and included the city of Troy when the Mycenaeans defeated the Minoans. Aside from Troy, the Mycenaeans also took the ruins of Knossos Crete (Bierly, Slide 17). The Mycenaean civilization, therefore, included southern and central Greece during the late Bronze Age, which was from around 1600 to 1100 BC, and the Mycenaean civilization was discovered by Heinrich Schliemann through excavations in Mycenae in 1876 and in Tiryns in 1884 (Carver). Although the Mycenaean civilization began in 1550 BC, the occupation of Achaeans or Mycenaeans of many areas of the Greek peninsula, especially the coastal areas, started in 2000 BC. The Mycenaean civilization was the Late Helladic civilization in 1550 BC, but after the volcanic eruption at Thera in 1500 BC, the Mycenaean civilization at Knossos began in 1450 BC. This was followed by the destruction of Knossos in 1380 BC but a revival, development and perfection of Mycenaean architecture in 1350 until 1250 BC. During the revival of architecture, the Mycenaeans became “wealthy and powerful” and became “the most powerful group in the Aegean world” (Carver). It was also around this time that the Mycenaeans invaded the Minoan civilization and conquered Troy. However, the fall of Mycenaean civilization occurred in 1200 BC and was marked by the destruction of several Mycenaean sites and was finally concluded in 1184 BC by the destruction of Troy (Carver). There were several theories as to the cause of the fall of the Mycenaean civilization. The most probable explanation, however, was the invasion of another nation known as the “Dorians,” and such invasion caused the Mycenaean civilization to fall into the “dark age” (Bierly, Slide 29). This was, however, opposed by other historians who said that the destruction of the Mycenaean civilization did not happen until 100 years after the Dorian invasion (Carver). Another possible explanation for the fall of the Mycenaean civilization was that there was an “internal social conflict between the rich and the poor” with the latter eventually becoming impoverished and altogether opposing the governance of the former (Bierly, Slide 29). Moreover, the invasion of the Dorians may have been precipitated by the internal weakening of the empire where there was a large gap between the rich and the poor that may have caused an uprising of the masses (Lott). This eventually caused the destruction of the Mycenaean cities of Mycenae and Tirynth, or Tiryns, which were two of the three best-known sites of the Mycenaean civilization (Bierly, Slide 29; Scarre& Fagan 259). Other theories on the nature of the fall of the Mycenaean civilization included a possible “collapse of the economic system” which was perhaps due to changes in trade patterns, a supposed “migration of the elite,” or a possible “large-scale crop failure” (Lott). Nevertheless, according to historian Colin Renfrew, it was possible that poverty slowly destroyed the internal structure of the Mycenaeans (Lott). System of Writing One of the most prominent innovations of the Mycenaeans was their own system of writing known as Linear B, which was considered an “improved derivative of Linear A” (Bierly, Slide 20). The inscribed clay tablets that displayed ancient Mycenaean writing was unearthed at Pylos by Carl Blegen in 1939, and this ancient writing is known as the Linear B script, which was considered “the earliest Greek writing yet deciphered” (Lott). Other sources, however, say that it was the archaeologist Arthur Evans who discovered the script “in the early part of this century” while it was the architect and linguistics enthusiast Michael Ventris who had the linear B script fully deciphered in 1953 (Lo). The linear B script was actually a system of symbols that represented spoken language and it used a symbol to represent each particular syllable of a “one vowel-one consonant” combination (Lott). Moreover, the linear B script was based on Minoan culture and was primarily used “for keeping records of goods and transactions,” and it eventually evolved into the European writing system that comprised the languages of Europe from Latin to Cyrillic (Lugo). The linear B script vowel-consonant combinations used by the Mycenaeans were the following (Source: Lo, Lawrence. “Linear B.” http://www.ancientscripts.com/linearb.html): There were, however, different other symbols for the diphthongs like “ai” and “au,” and combinations of two consonants and one vowel like “ryo” and “twe” (Lo). Examples of Mycenaean words included the combination of the symbols “ku,” “na,” and “ja,” which, in Mycenaean Greek was “gunaia” and in modern English is “woman” and from the Mycenaean root word “gunaia” was derived the English word “gynecology” (Lo). Political and Social Structure The Teretai and the Damantes were the two most prominent groups of people that handled social affairs in the Mycenaean civilization. The Teretai, Telestai or Tereta, had the duty “to guard religiously the country” and “to protect land and people,” and they were considered an institutionalized group and were also known as “ko-to-no-o-ko” (Kazanskiene 611). On the other hand, the Damantes were diviners and performed the duties of “prophets, priests, and practical counselors” who were paid for their services (611). The Damantes were subordinate to the Teretai, who were composed of the rulers and anyone of the highest position (611). However, aside from the Terestai and Damantes, there were also the Lawagetas or the warrior leaders, who led the army – such as the general and the prime minister. There were also the Hequetai, or Hepetai, who were made up of the courtiers, nobles and military officers. Among all these, however, the Lord, or wanax, like Agamemnon, was considered the ultimate leader (Carver). Other members of the society included the Kerosia, or council of elders, the Basileus or local officials with judicial powers such as the headmen of the villages, the merchants, the skilled workmen like the smiths and the herdsmen, and the slaves. The women, however, were assumed to be dependent on men (Carver). Contact and Exchange with Contemporaneous Civilizations Through Mycenaean pottery discovered in the eastern Mediterranean regions, some historians concluded that the Mycenaean civilization traded with the Syrians and the Cypriots as well as the Canaanites (Scarre& Fagan 267). The large number of Mycenaean wares served as evidence for this claim. There was also evidence that the Mycenaeans traded with Italians as Mycenaean pottery was found in Sicily and Sardinia. Aside from this, it was also probable that the Mycenaeans traded with Rhodes and the islands of the Dodecanese as Linear B tablets revealed records of several females slaves and their children working in these places but coming from the eastern Aegean (Scarre& Fagan 268). Lastly, as evidenced by Hittite royal records, it was possible that the Mycenaeans also traded with the Turkish particularly in Miletus and Halicarnassus (268). Material Evidence of Mycenaean Civilization The existence of the Mycenaean civilization was proven by their material culture which whose excavation began in the 19th century. Mycenaean art was a mixture of the art of the Mycenaeans and that of the Minoans (Bierly, Slide 20). The Mycenaeans were also “excellent engineers” who built a variety of infrastructures including “bridges, tombs, residences and palaces” (Bierly, Slide 20). The tombs, in particular, were known as “beehive tombs” for they were shaped in a circle and was equipped with a high roof (Bierly, Slide 20). The bulk of Mycenaean architecture used “Cyclopean stonework style,” or the use of large stones such as the ones used for the construction of the Lion Gate at Mycenae during the peak of the Mycenaean civilization in around the 13th century BC (Bierly, Slide 22; Carver).The Lion Gate was the principal entrance that leads into the citadel (Scarre& Fagan 260). The citadels were built using the same Cyclopean style of stonework and were constructed mainly as administrative headquarters for the Mycenaean rulers (Bierly, Slide 22). The term “Cyclopean” in Cyclopean structure came from the legendary race of giants known as Cyclops, and so gigantic stone slabs were used for such architecture (Scarre& Fagan 260). These citadels were basically Minoan in design, with different rooms for various functions and were built around a central “megaron” (Bierly, Slide 22). The megaron was an architectural complex that consisted of a “principal room with a central, raised hearth that was entered through an antechamber by a single door from a columned porch on the long axis,” thus making up a “porch, antechamber, and main room” (Scarre& Fagan 262-263). Moreover, aside from the megaron,the citadels had a walled area which was built around the southern slopes and the one at Mycenae and Tiryns was a fortified perimeter that protected the Shaft Graves. The Mycenaeans also built “richly appointed” houses with painted frescoes at the foot of the citadels (Scarre& Fagan 262). Other possessions of the Mycenaeans included arms and armor, due to their warlike nature (Bierly, Slide 20). The warlike Mycenaeans left behind a “bronze body armor from the rich tomb at Dendra” and a “boar’s tusk helmet” as well as a chariot which was possibly used as a “mobile archery platform” (Scarre& Fagan 265). This chariot, however, only appeared on tablets and in art. Moreover, the Uluburun shipwreck found in the Uluburun cliffs in the southern part of Turkey contained “Mycenaean daggers, swords, spearheads, and woodworking tools” (266). These were also an evidence of the militaristic society of the Mycenaean civilization. Mycenaeans also had painted pottery considered as a “high-quality” product with thin walls, wheel-made vessels, and elaborate shapes (Scarre& Fagan 265). High standard painted decoration had “floral and marine” subjects and scenes such as “chariot processions, bulls [or] a line of marching foot soldiers” (Scarre& Fagan 265). These aforementioned designs were somehow further indicative of the military nature of the Mycenaean civilization. The Mycenaeans also produced small clay figurines which were “unique and…found in great numbers” (Carver). The usual figurine type was a female figure and was found in cemeteries, and these women were either armless or had extended arms. Moreover, other types of figurines were horses and riders, chariots and bovine animals (Carver). Lastly, the more affluent of the Mycenaeans were buried with their gold and jewelry (Bierly, Slide 20). Palace furnishings consisted of ebony and greenwood chairs; ivory or gold-decorated figures of men, animals and vegetation; and a footstool with a blue glass inlay and with gold struts that fitted it (Scarre& Fagan 263).Moreover, Mycenaeans produced “carved gemstones, gold jewelry, carved ivory, and metal vessels” such as the “gold Vapeio cups” (265). The materials used included gold, bronze, amber, and lapis lazuli (265). Involvement in Mycenaean Life on an Individual Level The Mycenaeans were known as a “warrior culture” (Bierly, Slide 19). Therefore, if I were living in the Mycenaean society, I would most probably be a bearded soldier with a bronze armor, a shield and a sword. Moreover, as a soldier, I would most likely be tasked “to protect [the] wealth and cultural treasures” of the Empire (Bierly, Slide 19). If I were not a soldier then I would most likely be someone involved in the preparation of the weapons and in the fortification of the walls of the city. Moreover, if I were not in the military, then I would most likely be one of the engineers as I am naturally interested in walls, buildings and infrastructures, and I would most likely be tasked to help build the citadels and the megaron. Top of Form Bottom of Form Works Cited Bierly, Jill. “Ancient Civilizations – The Central Mediterranean: Aegean Civilizations.” 13 Feb 2012. Powerpoint Slideshow. Carver, C. M. “The Mycenaean Civilization.” n.d. Porter-Gaud School. 12 Apr 2012. Kazanskiene, Vanda P. “Land Tenure and Social Position in Mycenaean Greece.” Politeia: Society and State in the Aegean Bronze Age. 1995. Universite de Liege. 11 Apr 2012. Lo, Lawrence. “Linear B.” 2012. AncientScripts.com. 11 Apr 2012. Lott, J. Bert. “The Formation of Greek Culture.” 1997. Vassar College. 11 Apr 2012. Lugo, Hector M. “The Hellenes.” Hellenismos. 2011. The Shadow of Olympus. 11 Apr 2012. Scarre, Christopher & Brian M. Faggan. Ancient Civilizations. New York: Prentice Hall, 2008. Print. Read More