(1600 B.C.E. - 1100 B.C.E.)

The Mycenaeans were influenced by the Minoan civilization.Their writing, Linear B, was an adaptation of Minoan Linear A.

Each Mycenaean city had its own king.Agamemnon of Mycenae was most important.

His city was the center of political power.

Mycenae was built on high ground, surrounded by walls for defense. This type of fortified city is called an acropolis.

Later Greek city states also used this strategy for their cities.

The Mycenaean acropolis.

The Lion Gate of Mycenae was the entrance to the city.

The Lion Gate of Mycenae was the entrance to the city.

The wall surrounding the city of Mycenae.

Agamemnon & Mycenae were written about by Homer.

• D’Ohhhhh!

• The poet Homer who wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey.

The Greek legends of Helen of Troy, and the Trojan Horse come to us through Homer.

In 1876, archeologist Schleimann (who believed in the accuracy of Homers epic) discovered ancient Mycenae as well as the city of Troy.

Mycenaean civilization came to a sudden end when all the Mycenaean centers except Athens fell.

Invasion by the Dorians, a new Greek speaking people is a possible cause, but there are other theories.

For several 100 years after Greeks were illiterate and unable to organize or build on any scale.

The Trojan WarQueen Helen of Sparta deserted the king Menelaus for Paris the son of the king of Troy.

Menelaus was brother to Agamemnon, King of Mycenae (overlord of all Greeks).

Agamemnon sailed to Troy to avenge his brother, and retrieve Helen.

Troy was under siege for 10 years. Heroes such as Achilles & Hector found glory and death.

Mycenae was victorious. They sailed away as if defeated leaving a gigantic wooden horse.

The rejoicing Trojans hauled it into the city gates.

Hidden Greek warriors emerged at night and opened the gates to their comrades who sacked and burned Troy.