Definition. The Mycenaean civilization flourished in the Late Bronze Age (c. 1700-1100 BCE), peaking from the 15th to the 13th century BCE. The Mycenaeans extended their influence throughout the Peloponnese in Greece and across the Aegean from Crete to the Cycladic islands.

Fall of Mycenaeans Archaeology suggests that around 1100 BC, the palace centres and outlying settlements of the Mycenaeans’ highly organized culture began to be abandoned or destroyed, and by 1050 BC, the recognizable features of Mycenaean culture had disappeared, and the population had decreased significantly.

The researchers argue that the long period of drought following the palace’s destruction led to the end of the “Mycenaean way of life in Pylos,” as agricultural surpluses were eliminated thus making it difficult “for social elites to re-form and for the palatial system to be re-established.”

Dorians were distinguished by the Doric Greek dialect and by characteristic social and historical traditions. In the 5th century BC, Dorians and Ionians were the two most politically important Greek ethnoi, whose ultimate clash resulted in the Peloponnesian War.

Of these, Athens and Sparta were the two most powerful city-states.

The Dorian people are traditionally acknowledged as the conquerors of the Peloponnese (in the period 1100–1000 bce). Sparta, capital of the Dorian region of Laconia. In Greek tradition, the Dorians were thought to have gained their name from Doris, a small district in central Greece.

The Dorians conquered the last members of the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations who were living in the southern part of Greece. Their rule plunged the area into a dark age. It took almost three centuries for the Greek city-states to emerge from the dominance of the Dorians.

Specifically, when The Dorians conquered the Minoans and Mycenaean civilizations, The Dark Age emerged. It was the period in which the harder and cheaper metal iron replaced bronze as a material for weapons and farm implements.

The Dorians

For weapons, the combatants used spears, swords, arrows, and stones, protecting themselves with helmets and shields made of leather, wood, and bronze. In a typical clash, the chiefs rode chariots pulled by two horses, while their men ran close to them.

Greek Dark Ages: It was easy for the Dorians to conquer the many diverse tribes who made their home on the Greek peninsula. The villagers had stone weapons. The Dorians had iron weapons. The Dorians were cruel and brutal.

When the Dorians swooped down on the Greek peninsula, they had no trouble taking over. Their rule lasted for about 400 years. We do know a few interesting things that happened during the Grecian Dark Ages thanks to the storytellers. During the Greek dark ages, some people earned a living with their storytelling skills.

Invasion by Mycenaeans – Complete destruction of the Minoan Civilization. Archaeologists have now enough evidence to believe that the reputed Minoan Civilization was severely damaged and affected by the eruption of Santorini Volcano, which destroyed their fleet.

Despite speculation that Knossos was destroyed by the volcanic eruption on Santorini, it is generally accepted that the cause was human violence following an invasion of Crete by Greeks from the Argolid, most probably Mycenaean.

Nobles

What was the most common way in which Mycenaeans could improve their social status? by bringing in a bountiful harvest as a farmer. by providing assistance to the king as a noble. by having success in business for the country.