The Decline of the Mycenaean Civilization: Understanding the Sub-Mycenaean Period

Sub-Mycenaean is a term used to describe the later phase of the Mycenaean civilization, which was characterized by a decline in the power and influence of the Mycenaean palaces. This phase is believed to have begun around 1200 BCE and lasted until the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization around 1100 BCE.

During this period, the Mycenaean palaces began to lose their power and influence, and the society became more fragmented and decentralized. The Sub-Mycenaean period saw the rise of smaller, less centralized settlements, and the decline of the large, palace-centered societies that had characterized the earlier Mycenaean period.

The Sub-Mycenaean period was marked by a number of significant changes in the Mycenaean world, including the decline of trade and commerce, the rise of smaller, more localized political units, and the growth of a more decentralized, fragmented society. This period also saw the beginning of the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization, which was eventually replaced by the Greek Dark Ages.

Overall, the Sub-Mycenaean period represents a significant turning point in the history of the Mycenaean civilization, marking the end of the palace-centered societies that had characterized the earlier Mycenaean period and the beginning of a more decentralized, fragmented society.