Late Helladic
The term late helladikum (or late Helladic period ) refers to the Late Bronze Age of the Greek mainland. This period covers the period from around 1600 BC. Chr. To about 1050 v. Chr. From. In large parts of the Greek mainland it corresponds to the periods of the Mycenaean period .
The Late Helladic is divided into the following sections:
| Late Helladic I (abbreviated: SH I): | approx. 1600–1525 / 00 BC Chr. |
| Late Helladic II (SH II): | approx. 1525/00–1400 BC Chr. |
| Late Helladic III A (SH IIIA): | approx. 1400-1340 / 15 BC Chr. |
| Late Helladic III B (SH IIIB): | approx. 1340 / 15–1190 BC Chr. |
| Late Helladic III C (SH IIIC): | approx. 1190-1050 BC Chr. |
Within these sections there are further subdivisions that have been distinguished on the basis of the ceramic styles , e.g. B. SH IIA or SH IIIC medium.
The dates given are based on the traditional chronology, which is based on the Egyptian chronology . Synchronisms with this result from the association of finds from late Helladic material with contemporary, datable Egyptian artifacts . More recent - but not uncontroversial - data obtained through scientific methods, in particular in connection with the Bronze Age volcanic eruption on Santorini , which after this took place about a century earlier than previously assumed (see detailed treatment under Minoan Eruption ), lead to that part of the research, in particular, starts the early phases of the late light period significantly earlier. Thereafter, the late Helladic began as early as 1700 BC. And the beginning of the Late Helladic II is set earlier. From the Late Helladic III A onwards, the dates of both chronological systems differ from each other at most only slightly (see also the detailed section meaning and dating in the article Minoan eruption!).
The Späthelladikum is entirely under the sign of the Mycenaean culture, the first high culture of the European mainland. In contrast to the bearers of the Minoan culture, the inhabitants of mainland Greece spoke an ancient form of Greek , Mycenaean Greek .
The Mycenaean culture occurs almost suddenly shortly before 1600 BC. BC, in the form of very richly furnished shaft graves in Mycenae . In some other areas of southern Greece, too, the dead are soon buried with very rich grave goods , for example in Laconia and a little later in Messenia . In addition, at the beginning of the Late Helladic, Mycenaean ceramics can be detected for the first time, which was initially very heavily influenced by Minoan ceramics . It has a light ground with black-figure painting and gradually replaces the Middle Helladic gray Miny ceramics and the matt-painted ceramics , which, however, still dominated in the Late Helladic I in some regions, especially Central Greece, before ceramics in the Mycenaean style prevailed there in the late Helladic II .
In addition to adopting many Middle Helladic traditions, the Mycenaean culture is initially also shaped by strong Minoan influences. There are not only contacts with Crete , but also with Egypt . In the period SH II, the shaft graves are partially replaced by Tholos graves (cupola graves). During this phase, Crete was conquered by the Mycenaean Greeks (around 1450 BC). Many Aegean islands, previously at least under the influence of the Minoans, are now ruled by Mycenaeans and Minoan settlements on Rhodes ( Ialysos ) and on the coast of Asia Minor ( Miletus , Iasos ) are from the late 15th century BC onwards. BC clearly marked Mycenaean. In the administrative centers of the Mycenaean world (see Mycenaean palace times ) the Linear B script was used, which is derived from the Cretan Linear A script .
Shortly after 1200 BC BC (at the beginning of SH III C, or at the transition from SH III B to SH III C) many settlements were destroyed, including the Mycenaean palace centers. The social structures collapsed ( dark times ) because the entire economy of the Mycenaean palaces was coordinated and controlled centrally (see palace economy ). Furthermore, there seems to have been significant demographic changes as a result. Some settlements or areas of land have been completely abandoned (e.g. Pylos ), while others are declining. Elsewhere, the population even seems to have increased over time ( Tiryns ). During phase SH III C, some settlements arose in inhospitable but well-protected locations. In addition, there was repeated local destruction during this phase. Apparently the 12th century BC was A very unsettled and uncertain time in Greece (see also Sea Peoples ).
The causes of these upheavals are still controversial and so far unexplained. The theory that was often held in the past that a massive, violent immigration of the Dorians (see Doric migration ) for the destruction at the transition around 1200 BC. B.C. was responsible, but can be ruled out fairly safely. Because in phase SH III C the Mycenaean culture continues - albeit at a lower level. The tradition continues uninterrupted, especially in Mycenaean ceramics.
Between circa 1075 and 1050 BC. In at least many regions of Greece, the period SH III C changes into the sub-Mycenaean period (see also Sub- Mycenaean ceramics ) and then into the protogeometric period . From this time (late 11th century BC) iron processing began in Greece. Therefore, the beginning of the Protogeometric Period is also defined as the beginning of the Iron Age of Greece . Presumably the Dorians migrated to central and southern Greece during this transition phase.
See also
literature
- Kim Shelton: Mainland Greece. In: Eric H. Cline (ed.): The Oxford Handbook of the Bronze age Aegean (approx. 3000-1000 BC). Oxford University Press, Oxford et al. 2012, ISBN 978-0-19-987360-9 , pp. 139-148.