11.2

Evans thought?

the Minoans were a 'secondary civilization' influenced by the Egyptians and Assyrians in the EBA, and that they were responsible for stimulating Mycenaean growth.

Tholos IV at Pylos

built in LH I-II, may be theoldest tholos on the mainland. But it wasn't the richest.

Mycenae Grave Circle B

The inhabitants of Mycenae become extremely rich very quickly. The sudden burst of wealth at Mycenae observed at Grave Circle B wasn't due to gradual enrichment: this kin group benefited from political ambitions by opportunistic leaders in contact with the Minoans.

Mycenean leaders

would become Mycenaean rulers ofLHII and LHIII. We're witnessing the early growth of the Mycenaean state. Their civilization will dominate the Aegean in the LBA.

Mycenae Grave Circle A

as re-enclosed in LH I just as the citadel became a place of great political and economic importance and the first tholos tomb appears here.

Mycenae Grave Circle A

Burials in this period more commonly contain multiple individuals, signifying the increasing importance of lineage (e.g., tholoi are reserved for elite families).

Grave Circle A

The diversity of tomb types among elites (shaft graves,tumuli, tholoi) and high levels of conspicuousconsumption indicate a significant level of socialcompetition and status.

Mycenaean Settlements

The MH period settlement system was one of villagesand farms. This changed slowly over the centuries, but by the LH period the acropolis (upper towns) were centralizing and fortifying.

Core Mycenaean settlements

They have an architectural palatial center•
They are built in a commanding position and are often fortified• They're located near water and good agricultural land• Situated at lines of communication between the sea and the interior

Main settlement trends over LH I-II

Settlementconsolidation and cemetery differentiation

Consolidation

started in the MH as settlements became increasingly rich andpowerful through contacts with the Minoans.

Over LH II, settlement consolidation

strong families or chiefs results in centralized areas controlling larger and larger territories. Mycenae controls the Argolid (with Tirynsand Midea), and Pellana controls Laconia.

Mycenaean States of LH II

these cities are each at the centre ofsuccessful polities (identifiable political entities).

referred Mansions

Mycenae and Pylos, developed Minoan-like palatial centres

pellana

is urban but non-palatial. It's likely that the Athenian Acropolis had a palace of some sort, but no evidence has been found

first state

developed during LH II. State-level organization emerged to better manage the centralization, wealth, and labor that was generated by Mycenaean society

Mycenaean LH III Palaces

Mycenaean palaces shared common attributes with Minoan palaces. these were the seats of powerful individuals or dynasties: kings and possibly queens.

Mycenaean LH III Palaces architecture

the centre of Minoan palaces was the open-air court
the centre of Mycenaean palaces from LH IIIA was the megaron: a long hall fronted by an open portico, an interior vestibule, and finally a throne room with four columns and a central hearth with an oculus above

Mycenaean LH III Graves

Most common people were buried in rock-cut chamber tombs during the LH period. Few tholos tombs are constructed in LH III outside of Mycenae. This is likely the result of their rulers, "first among equals", restructuring the right to monumental tombs for elites at only select palatial centres

Mycenaean Material Culture

Mycenaean pottery from LH I was influenced by Minoan styles
By LH IIIA-B, Mycenaean pottery is of very high technical quality, for oil and wine