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LHIIIB-LHIIIC: 1320/1300-1050/1030
2 centuries of disasters: 1250-1050 bc
Multiple destructions across Mycenaean world
Destruction at Mycenae
Houses outside citadel (south of Grave Circle B) destroyed by fire
Massive engineering project to drain Copaic Basin Fortified granary? Drainage channels destroyed
Gla
Tiryns
Enclosure of lower citadel Syringes (underground water supply)
increase
What is Happening
Social Unrest
Neo-Marxist Theory Peasant revolt against elite? Thersites in Iliad But why abandon fertile land?
New fortifications due to threat from outside or inside Mycenaean World? Watchers by the Sea => fear of piratic neighboring Mycenaeans?
Myths of Conflict post Trojan War => Internecine Strife? Eteocles and Polyneices: Theban vs. Argos?
Historic Evidence?
In the seventh book of his History Herodotus recounts that Crete was so beset by famine and pestilence after the Trojan War that it became virtually uninhabited until its resettlement by later inhabitants.
Good Evidence for Sea Peoples in Egypt but swords in Greece in good Mycenaean contexts: graves, etc.
Disruption of Trade
Fragile palace economies pushed over the edge by collapse of trade routes But, again, why abandon fertile land?
Change in Warfare
Light-armed, swiftmoving Infantry with Javelin replaces Chariot-based warfare Mycenaean, Hittite, & other Near Eastern empires collapse But War Chariot depiction more popular than ever
Confusing Possibilities
(a) Internal Social Upheaval (b) Mycenaean States at war (c) Climate Change (d) Invasion from Outside the Aegean World (e) Changes in the Nature of Warfare Economic Factors
Film time?
Topics & Questions Opportunity to boost grade in discussion class