Western History 15: Who were the Mycenaeans?

The Mycenaeans dominated the last phase of the Greek Bronze Age. They were a land based people who followed on (and partly overlapped) with the Minoans. The period from 1600-1100 BC book ends the Mycenaean era. This was the time of the Trojan Epic Cycle mythologized in the writing of Homer (Iliad and Odyssey). Key Mycenaean towns include Mycenae, Athens, Thebes, Pylos and Midea. Their influence extended to both the Greek mainland and the Peloponnesian peninsular and included some of the colonies in and around Asia Minor.

The first phase of the Mycenaean era was noted for its Shaft Graves for the burial of the elite. It was also characterized by palace hall complexes known as Megarons. Following on from the Shaft Grave Era was the Koine era that was characterized by its fresco art and extensive use of the Linear B writing style. Scribes played an important role in Mycenaean society that was hierarchically structured with palace officials at the top, merchants and farmers lower down and slaves at the bottom. The military played a key role and commerce was very important as well. Mycenaean artefacts have been found in Bavaria and England.

Climate change, earthquakes, famine (a recurring theme in the demise of the old orders) and an invasion from the Dorian or Sea People are believed to have contributed to the demise of the Mycenaean civilization.

Western History 14: Where did writing develop in the Near East?

Most of the Great Civilizations that provided the springboard for the early development of the West had sophisticated writing systems. The Mesopotamians used a wedge shaped writing known as Cuneiform, the Egyptians preferred Hieroglyphics, the Minoans made use of the Linear A script (the later Myceneans opted for the Linear B form).

Hieroglyphics, a pictograph type writing system would morph over time into hieratic (used by the priests) and demotic (popular script). Hieroglyph, demotic and Greek are all found on the famous Rosetta Stone that was discovered in 1799.
Writing conveyed ideas, laws and immortalized the knowledge of a civilization. It also provided an important framework for the implementation of trade deals.

The Phoenician alphabet probably had the biggest impact on the early development of writing in the west. It is the oldest verified consonantal alphabet (or abajd) and is derived from Egyptian Hieroglyphics. Both the Paleo-Hebrew and Greek Alphabets developed from the Phoenician script.

The Western History 13: Who were the Minoans?

Historian Will Durant has called the Minoans the ‘first link in the chain of European history’. The Minoan civilization developed on the Aegean Island of Crete and was dominant between 2000 and 1450 BC. Much of what we know about the Minoans goes back to the work of British archaeologist Arthur Evans who rediscovered this civilization in the early 20th century. The Minoans were a trader people with an advanced maritime apparatus who were also noteworthy for the building. The elaborate palace at Knossos that provides the centre stage for the legendary King Minos (from which the name Minoan is derived) showcases this building impetus. As do the palaces at Phaistos, Malia and Kato Zakros.

Minoan civilization was essentially Bronze Age and had a dramatic influence over the surrounding islands and mainland Greek Peninsula (where they set up smaller colonies such as Akrotiri on Santorini). They also traded with Egypt, the Canaanite world (in Israel) and the Asia Minor City States. Minoan handiwork was very advanced and the culture showed a higher degree of equity amongst the sexes than was typical of other civilizations of the time. While much of what we know about the Minoans is still shrouded in mythology its demise seems to have occurred in dramatic fashion either through an Earthquake, a volcano (the infamous Thera Eruption) or the invasion of outsiders from Anatolia. By 1600 BC it was well into decline and was replaced by the land based Mycenean civilization as the predominant power in the region.

Western History 12: What were some of the civilizations of Asia Minor?

Anatolia (or Asia Minor) roughly corresponds to the Asian part of Modern day Turkey.
The region was originally known as the Land of the Hatti and was dominated by various civilizations during the Bronze Age. The Hatti and the Hurrians were the original powers in the region but there was substantial influence by the Akkadians and their later descendants the Assyrians. In and around 2000BC the powerful Hittite Empire emerged and grew to become a rival of the Egyptian, Assyrian and Mittani Empires.

The Hittities played a major role in driving the Iron Age, had a sophisticated language and a well organized military that were noted for their use of chariots. By 1180 BC the Hittites were in decline and various tribes – most notably the Lydians, Lycians, Phyrigians, Galatians and Cilicians would exert their authority in this territory. In the latter part of the Millennium before the Common Era both the Persians and the Greeks would play an important role in both the demographics and politics of the region which would continue to feature in the evolving dynamic of the West.

Western History 11 - What was the Bronze Age?

Historians characterize the Bronze Age as the time period between 3300 and 1200 BC. It was preceded by the Neolithic Stone (and transitory Copper Age) and succeeded by the Iron Age. Bronze, an alloy formed from the smelting copper and its combination with tin. Metal work and the emergence of writing were key features of this period that characterized Anatolia (Turkey), the Caucasus, Elam/Sistan (Pre-Iran), Egypt, the Levant and Mesopotamia in the Middle East. In Europe proper Bronze Age culture was expressed in the Aegean, Beaker, Srubna and Urnfield Cultures amongst others. The Chinese Longshan and Shang Dynasty were essentially Bronze Age cultures as well.
Trade was key to the proper functioning of these societies with Bronze playing a vital role in such a regards.

The Western History 10: Who were the chief monarchs of the Egyptian Middle Kingdom?

Known also as the Period of Reunification the Middle Kingdom encompasses the XIth and XIIth dynasties and was dominant in Egypt between 2000-1700BC (contemporary to Hammurabi). Its two greatest monarch were the Pharaohs Menuhotep II and Senusret III (also known as Sesostris). The former was the founder of the kingdom who reigned for 51 years and consolidated the power of the city of Thebes that would serve as his capital. Senusret III was a military pharaoh who waged war with the Nubian territories south of Egypt and set up a strong administrative system that centralized control of the outlying regions as well as the military.

Block art was popular during the Middle Kingdom and the deity Osiris (god of the Nile) grew to prominence as an added indication of the importance of the annual flooding so critical to the civilization.

Like the Old Kingdom the Middle Kingdom gave way to a period of decline, most likely caused by internal strife and revolt by the noble families. Historians have called this the Second Intermediate Period.

What makes Western Civilization successful?

1. Rule of Law
2. Charity
3. High Standards of Education
4. Rationalism
5. Individual Freedoms
6. Private Ownership of Property
7. Checks and Balances
8. Cultural Ethos and Shared History
9. Democracy
10. Flexible Labour Markets
11. Scientific Innovation
12. Medicine