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, 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 Aa4 course, running in the morning, which explores the Minoan civilisation.
Learning outcomes
- To be able to name and describe of specific examples of Mycenaean material culture;
- To be able to discuss the significance of specific Mycenaean material culture and practices in the context of the prehistoric Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean;
- 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.
