Mycenaean Greece

Mycenaean Greece was a state in Balkans and Greece (Europe) that lasted from c. 1600 to 1100 BCE, about 500 years. Its people spoke Greek languages (Mycenaean, Classical, Hellenistic, Byzantine, modern Greek).

Greek-speaking palace kingdoms that wrote in Linear B, built the walls of Mycenae and Tiryns and traded with Egypt and Anatolia. The palaces burned in the Late Bronze Age collapse around 1200 BCE.

See Mycenaean Greece on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 1600 to 1100 BCE
Duration: 500 years
Type: State
Region: Balkans and Greece, Europe
Language family: Greek
Capital: Mycenae, Pylos, Thebes

Came from

Early and Middle Helladic Greece c. 3200 to 1600 BCE
Minoan civilization c. 3100 to 1450 BCE

Became

Greek Dark Ages c. 1100 to 800 BCE

Events in Europe during its time

1600 BCE Thera eruption
1200 BCE Late Bronze Age collapse

Neighbours in Europe

Minoan civilization c. 3100 to 1450 BCE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Shang dynasty c. 1600 to 1046 BCE, East Asia
New Kingdom of Egypt c. 1550 to 1069 BCE, North and West Africa
Old Babylonian Empire 1894 to 1595 BCE, Middle East
Hittite Empire (New Kingdom) c. 1400 to 1180 BCE, Middle East

Questions

When did Mycenaean Greece exist?

c. 1600 to 1100 BCE, about 500 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Mycenaean Greece?

Balkans and Greece, in Europe. Its capital was Mycenae, Pylos, Thebes.

What language did Mycenaean Greece speak?

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

What came before Mycenaean Greece?

Early and Middle Helladic Greece and Minoan civilization.

What came after Mycenaean Greece?

Greek Dark Ages.