Mycenae

Mycenae, city of Bronze Age Greece. It was founded c. 2000 B.C. by an Indo-European Greek-speaking people on the southern peninsula. Mycenaean culture benefitted from contact with the Minoans on Crete. By 1600 B.C. Mycenae had risen to cultural, political, and commercial prominence in the Mediterranean world. Between 1400 and 1200 B.C. it was at its height. In 1100 B.C. Mycenae was invaded by the Dorians. Mycenae remained unknown to the modern world until Heinrich Schliemann began excavations at the site and discovered 5 royal tombs (1876).

See also: Greece, Ancient.