A woman buried in Greece in the Bronze Age era

The Late Bronze Age, spanning roughly from 1600 to 1100 BCE, marks a significant period in Greek history known as the Mycenaean era. This time is characterized by the emergence and dominance of the Mycenaean civilization on the Greek mainland and the surrounding islands. The Lazarides site, a notable archaeological settlement, offers a window into the complexities of Mycenaean culture during this time.

Social Structure and Society

The Mycenaean society was hierarchically structured and heavily influenced by a centralized system of governance. At the apex of this society was the wanax (king), who held religious, military, and administrative power. Beneath the wanax was a class of nobles, known as the lawagetas, who were often military leaders and held significant sway in political and economic matters. The Mycenaean palace economy was meticulously organized and relied heavily on a bureaucratic system evidenced by Linear B tablets discovered in various sites, including Lazarides.

Commoners, comprised mostly of farmers, herders, artisans, and laborers, constituted the majority of the population. While they had fewer privileges, their labor was crucial for sustaining the palace economy. Then there were the doeroi, or slaves, who were considered property and performed various menial tasks across the kingdom.

Economy and Trade

The economy during the Late Bronze Age Mycenaean period was diverse, robust, and interconnected with other contemporary civilizations around the Mediterranean. Agriculture played a crucial role, with staples such as wheat, barley, olives, and grapes forming the backbone of sustenance and trade. The Mycenaeans were also adept in animal husbandry, notably raising cattle, sheep, and goats.

Craftsmanship thrived, with artisans producing high-quality pottery, textiles, and metalwork, often traded with neighboring regions. The Mycenaean society was particularly skilled in working with bronze, evidenced by the numerous weapons, tools, and ceremonial objects discovered.

Maritime trade networks expanded the Mycenaean reach significantly during the Late Bronze Age. Goods such as amber, ivory, and tin, crucial for making bronze, were imported, while olive oil, wine, and pottery were exported. This trade fostered cultural exchanges and introduced new influences into the Mycenaean world.

Architecture and Urban Planning

The Mycenaean civilization is renowned for its impressive architectural feats, especially the construction of palatial complexes that served as administrative and economic centers. The Lazarides site likely contained such structures, characterized by monumental gateways, thick defensive walls, and megarons—a type of large room with a central hearth.

Mycenaean cities and administrative centers were strategically built on elevated ground for defensive purposes, often protected by Cyclopean walls constructed from massive limestone boulders. Settlements included residential areas, storage facilities, workshops, and shrines, reflecting a well-planned urban environment.

Religion and Mythology

Religion played a central role in Mycenaean life, with a pantheon of deities and elaborate rituals. Unlike later classical Greek religion, Mycenaean religious practices revealed through archaeological finds, such as at Lazarides, often involved sacrifices, feasting, and offerings to gods and goddesses, some of whom they shared with the Minoans. Sites of worship ranged from grand temples within palaces to smaller shrines, reflecting the spiritual diversity of their belief systems.

The Mycenaeans likely venerated gods like Poseidon, who appears prominently in Linear B tablets, and worship included elements of nature and fertility. Religious iconography depicting processions, chariots, and divine symbols adorned various artifacts, indicating the sophistication and significance of religious life.

Decline and Legacy

The end of the Late Bronze Age saw the decline of the Mycenaean civilization, potentially due to a combination of factors including natural disasters, internal strife, economic hardship, and invasions by the so-called Sea Peoples. The resulting collapse around 1100 BCE led to a period of reduced cultural and economic activity known as the Greek Dark Ages.

Despite their decline, the Mycenaeans left a profound legacy. Their architectural, artistic, and bureaucratic innovations, particularly the Linear B script, laid foundational elements that were later absorbed, adapted, and glorified by subsequent Greek cultures, notably during the Archaic and Classical periods. Sites like Lazarides continue to illuminate the dynamic and influential nature of Mycenaean society during the Late Bronze Age.