The Mycenaeans: Greece in the making

Aims of the course

This course aims to:
1. Acquaint you with the knowledge and capabilities to name and describe specific examples of Mycenaean material culture;
2. Enable you to discuss the significance of specific Mycenaean material culture and practices in the context of the prehistoric Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean; and to inspire and equip them to investigate it further, beyond the end of this course;
3. Hone your skills in critically engaging with the evidence and interpretations of a past civilisation through inquisitive study and informed debate, as demonstrated in the case study of Mycenaean Greece.

Content

The Mycenaean civilisation developed on the Greek Mainland, the Aegean and beyond in the 2nd millennium BCE. Although the Mycenaeans seem to have burst onto the Bronze Age Aegean scene suddenly, closer examination shows that the status expressed in, for example, the spectacular finds of Mycenae and Pylos, was the result of long, local traditions. The Mycenaeans, as a distinct cultural entity across several mainland states, soon went on to expand their empire outside their traditional territories (eg in Crete, the Cyclades, Cyprus etc). With the building of their distinct palaces came a number of significant developments, from specific social stratification to the strict application of their quintessential script, Linear B. All this changed with the collapse of palatial societies towards the end of the 2nd millennium.

Many of the Mycenaeans’ cultural and material characteristics survived long after their reconfiguration at the end of the Aegean Bronze Age. One example is the language which the Linear B represents, which is the earliest written form of Greek and a precursor to Homeric language (did you know that you use Linear B words even today?). This is why the Mycenaeans are considered as the earliest manifestation of Ancient Greece as we know it from later sources, and, by extension, a great part of Western culture. This course is comprised of lectures, which will cover the latest developments in the field, videos, interactive tasks and props. We will explore the Mycenaean civilisation through both its mundane and masterful relics, moving from sessions on material culture (eg pottery) towards sessions on themes(eg society). We will therefore use the evidence to work towards understanding the Mycenaeans’ dazzling feats, at the same time drawing inspiration from their foresight and imagination.

All students are welcome on this course; prior knowledge of the Mycenaean civilisation, the Bronze Age Aegean or even archaeology is not a prerequisite. Students interested in this course may also be interested in the parallel W15Am24course, running in the morning, which explores the Minoan civilisation.

Presentation of the course

In this course, we will use a combination of lectures, including revision at the beginning of each session, short group work and discussions. The lecture materials will include videos (eg aerial shots, reconstructions, craft production etc.); the tutor will also make extensive use of props and handouts. Discussions and group work, similarly to the rest of the course components, will be managed according to student needs and pace.

Class sessions

1. Introduction to Mycenaean archaeology; architecture; pottery. In this first session, we will cover a general introduction and then move to architecture and pottery, the two major categories of material culture on which we rely for our understanding of chronological and other developments.

2. Frescoes; sculpture; other arts. In this session, we will continue with figurative arts, and explore how these also reveal a lot about materials, techniques and interrelations.

3. Economy; Linear B; external relations. In this session,we will move from an investigation of the material culture towards a synthesis of the information that we can extrapolate from it. We will start with economy, scripts and external relations.

4. Society; diet; everyday life. In this session, we will continue our thematic investigation, now examining society, diet and everyday life –and dispelling some popular myths about the Mycenaeans.

5. Overview; running themes; reception. In this final session, we will have an overview of the material we covered, including the most in-depth analysis of the running themes of archaeology and methodology regarding the Mycenaeans. We will conclude with case studies of the reception of the Mycenaeans in the 19th, 20th and 21st century CE and an exploration of their significance in the contemporary world.

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes for this course are:
1. To be able to name and describe specific examples of Mycenaean material culture;
2. To be able to discuss the significance of specific Mycenaean material culture and practices in the context of the prehistoric Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean;
3. To engage critically with the evidence and interpretations of a past civilisation through inquisitive study and informed debate, as demonstrated in the case study of Mycenaean Greece.

Required reading

The Prehistoric Archaeology of the Aegean, https://sites.dartmouth.edu/aegean-prehistory/

Papadimitriou, A, 2015. Mycenae, John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation. https://www.latsis-foundation.org/content/elib/book_27/mycenae_en.pdf

Schofield L, 2007.The Mycenaeans, The British Museum Press and Getty Publications.

Typical week: Monday to Friday

Courses run from Monday to Friday. For each week of study, you select a morning (Am) course and an afternoon (Pm) course. The maximum class size is 25 students. 

Courses are complemented by a series of daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to the learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events.

Evaluation and Academic Credit 

If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses. 

Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £75 per essay.

For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit.

Certificate of attendance

A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically after the programme.