Small kingdoms united by trade & shared culture

Mycenae leading city

Walled cities Acropolis temples &

palaces; homes below outside walls

Royal palace of Mycenae Evidence of Zeus-

Hera, Poseidon, Ares, Hermes, Athena, Artemis, & Dionysus

Language known as Linear B – early form of Greek

Archaeologist have discovered thousands of tablets Exciting?: lists of

livestock, produce, tasks, daily items, officials

Pottery & ruins reveal much

Gods and Goddesses (more important)

Tombs – buried with valuable possessions

Great ceremonies for the dead

Death masks of gold for kings

Mask of Agememnon

Warlike people –archaeologist discovered masses of weapons

King = leader of battles, responsible for soldiers

Kings & Nobles wore helmets & bronze armor

Soldiers = leather Trojan War – 1250 B.C. Sea-faring people

Trade from Scandinavia to Africa to Eastern Mediterranean

Causes: Great famine (Egyptian

records) Internal fighting

between cities Population distribution,

people seeking new lands to conquer (Egypt, Italy, and Middle East)

Dorians take over People of northern

Greece Lost the art of writing