DeepSummary
The episode explores the history and culture of the Mycenaeans, a Bronze Age civilization that existed on the Greek mainland from around 1750 BCE to 1100 BCE. It delves into the archaeological evidence from burial sites, pottery, and palatial centers that shed light on their social stratification, administrative systems, and religious practices. The influence of the earlier Minoans from Crete is also discussed, as well as the Mycenaeans' mythological connections to later Greek epics like the Iliad and the Odyssey.
The Mycenaeans are described as having a strong martial tradition, as evidenced by the rich grave goods and fortifications found at sites like Mycenae and Pylos. Their palatial centers, which followed the Minoan model, served as administrative and ceremonial hubs, with evidence of early forms of Greek religious practices and deities. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding the regular people of the time, who carried on cultural traditions after the collapse of the Mycenaean elite society.
While the Mycenaean civilization itself was relatively short-lived, its legacy profoundly influenced later ancient Greek culture and mythology. The stories of figures like Agamemnon and the Trojan War, while not necessarily based on real events, were inspired by the remnants and stories passed down from the Mycenaean people. The episode highlights how these myths were shaped by the interpretations of the regular people who continued on after the elite structures collapsed.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The Mycenaeans were a Bronze Age civilization on the Greek mainland from around 1750-1100 BCE, known for their martial culture and palatial centers.
- Archaeological evidence like burial sites, pottery, and Linear B tablets provide insights into Mycenaean social stratification, religion, and administration.
- The Mycenaeans had significant cultural ties to and influence from the earlier Minoans on Crete.
- While relatively short-lived, the Mycenaean civilization's legacy profoundly shaped later Greek mythology and literature.
- Understanding the perspectives of non-elite 'regular people' is key to interpreting how Mycenaean stories were preserved and evolved into Greek myth.
- The collapse of the Mycenaean elite class did not erase the culture entirely, as traditions continued through the remaining population.
- Sites like Mycenae, Pylos, and Knossos offer rich archaeological records of Mycenaean and Minoan societies.
- The martial traditions, social hierarchy, and religious practices of the Mycenaeans can be traced to later Greek culture.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “There would never have been an Odysseus without a mainland Greek farmer telling his children stories of their land and what he knew of its past.“ by Liv (host)
- “Cemeteries in the beginning of this late Helladic period start demonstrating higher levels of organization and division amongst the burials. This implies the beginning of social stratification that seems to lean towards familial ties and lineage.“ by Liv (host)
- “Linear B is fun. Linear B is fun. I mean, I won't go too deep into it, but it is solidly early Greek and entirely selfishly too. Like, thank fuck the Minoans took on Linear B because it means that we can actually read some records from Knossos, which wouldn't be possible if they stayed entirely using Linear A.“ by Liv (host)
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Episode Information
Let's Talk About Myths, Baby! Greek & Roman Mythology Retold
iHeartPodcasts and Liv Albert
4/9/24
Continuing on with the Bronze Age history of Greece, a look at the famed Mycenaeans, the historical origins behind the mythic heroes of Homer. Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content!
CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. Given it's fiction, and typically involves gods and/or monsters, I'm not as deferential as I would be were I referencing the real thing.
Sources: The Landmark Thucydides edited by Robert B. Strassler, translated by Richard Crawley; The Oxford Handbook of the Bronze Age Aegean edited by Eric H. Cline; Rodney Castleden's Mycenaeans; Alkestis Papadimitriou and Elsi Spathari's Mycenae: A journey in the World of Agamemnon.
Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sources-attributions.
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