Mycenae is an archaeological site 120 km SW of Athens.
During the late bronze Age, it was one of major centres of Greek civilization.
The period of Greek history between 1600-1100 BCE, is called 'Mycenaean' in reference to Mycenae.
Image of Lion/Lioness gate at Mycenae
At its peak in 1350 BC, the citadel and lower town had a population of 30,000 and an area of 32 hectares.
The Mycenaeans have been described in the Linear B tablets, by the Hittites in their diplomatic correspondence, and by Homer who describes it as 'rich in gold'.
Perhaps Mycenae was the strongest of all the Greek regions in those times, bounded by a loose confederation.
This confederation, perhaps sacked Troy ( Wallusia, in Hittite texts) in the Asia Minor.
Image of a Mycenaean Woman
During excavations in 1876, Heinrich Schilliman found graves of Mycenaean kings along with their swords, cups and other valuable items.
Schliemann also found a golden mask, which is popularly know as 'Mask of Agamemnon', after the legendary king of Mycenae, under whose leadership the Greeks sacked troy in around 1250 BCE.
As per the Linear B tablets, several religious sancturies are mentioned, which are dedicated to number of deities.
Poseidon, mentioned as 'Po-se-da-o', was connected with earthquakes ( E-ne-si-da-o-ne =earth shaker).
@Michael_Lambda
Myceneans used to trade with their neighbors, particularly the region of Asia Minor, Hittites, perhaps Egypt as well.
A chief export of Mycenae was Olive oil and Mycenean swords have been found in Georgia, near Black Sea.
Image of Mycenean pottery
The Myceneans disappeared from the pages of history by c. 1100 BCE... A time of Bronze Age collapse, which devoured Hittites, as well.
All their palaces were burnt by Sea-peoples, and Dorians invaded from the North.
Greece lapsed into a 'Dark Age' for next 500 years.
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