Greek Dark Ages

Greek Dark Ages appears on the timeline as a people or culture of Balkans and Greece (Europe) from c. 1100 to 800 BCE, a span of 300 years. Its people spoke Greek languages (Mycenaean, Classical, Hellenistic, Byzantine, modern Greek).

After the palaces fell, writing was lost and the population shrank. Iron came into use, and Greeks settled the Ionian coast of Anatolia.

See Greek Dark Ages on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 1100 to 800 BCE
Duration: 300 years
Type: People or culture
Region: Balkans and Greece, Europe
Language family: Greek

Came from

Mycenaean Greece c. 1600 to 1100 BCE

Became

Greek city-states c. 800 to 338 BCE

Neighbours in Europe

Greek city-states c. 800 to 338 BCE
Sparta c. 900 to 192 BCE
Mycenaean Greece c. 1600 to 1100 BCE
Phoenician colonies in Iberia c. 800 to 237 BCE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Carthage c. 814 to 146 BCE, North and West Africa
Shang dynasty c. 1600 to 1046 BCE, East Asia
New Kingdom of Egypt c. 1550 to 1069 BCE, North and West Africa
Neo-Assyrian Empire 911 to 609 BCE, Middle East

Questions

When did Greek Dark Ages exist?

c. 1100 to 800 BCE, about 300 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Greek Dark Ages?

Balkans and Greece, in Europe.

What language did Greek Dark Ages speak?

Greek. This family includes Mycenaean, Classical, Hellenistic, Byzantine, modern Greek.

What came before Greek Dark Ages?

Mycenaean Greece.

What came after Greek Dark Ages?

Greek city-states.