Mycenaeans

From about 1600 BC to 1100 BC, the Mycenaeans dominated mainland Greece. They lived in separate, small kingdoms, although they shared the same language and beliefs. They were named after their greatest city, Mycenae.

The Mycenaeans built their great palaces on hilltops surrounded by massive stone walls. This type of fortified city was easy to defend from attack, and was called an acropolis, which ‘high city’ in Greek. The Mycenaeans were farmers and traders. They founded colonies on other Greek islands such as Rhodes and Cyprus. They also seem to have been successful warriors.

Many pieces of armour and weapons have been found in Mycenaean graves. In 1876, a group of five shaft graves were discovered, containing 16 members of the royal family. Five of them had exquisite gold death masks over their faces, and with them was buried a priceless hoard of golden treasure.