The end of a golden era

Still, the Mycenaean culture in Hellas continued. It reached its peak during the thirteenth century BC. This period is the historical reality behind the Greek mythology. As always times of prosperity are followed by times of decline and around 1200 BC most Mycenaean structures were destroyed. Hellas was in the same position as Crete had been after the destruction of Cnossus: the population concentrated in small groups. These slowly evolved into the famous city-states.

We can only guess how all these enormous strongholds got destroyed. Some say that the trade with the East stopped, and that overseas settlements were lost because of this. After a while also the motherland had to face the consequences of this. Others believe that it was the work of invaders who travelled from north to south without settling down. Most likely is that a combination of factors as overpopulation, internal wars, famine and epidemics was the true cause. A fascinating era ended with the final destruction of the citadel of Mycenae in 1150, and the unity of Hellas ended with it. The great days of Mycenae and Crete were soon forgotten in the confusion of a time filled with uncertainty. Only in the form of myths, in a twisted way though, was the memory of this heroic and golden era kept alive.