Mycenae

Mycenae was one of the most important cities of the ancient world and dominated much of southern Greece. The local population is known as Mycenaeans, but also as Achaeans, who came to the area from the Balkans around 2000 BC. The Mycenaean civilization consisted of about 20 city-states.

According to myth, the Mycenaeans were founded by Perseus. The most famous ruler here was Agamemnon, who was commander-in-chief of the Greek armies in the Trojan War.

The city grew rich mainly from trade with the Phoenicians and Egypt. The most important exports were art and olive oil. On the other hand, various metals were imported. Around 1550 BC. The Mycenaeans conquered Crete and began to establish colonies around the Aegean Sea (Rhodes, Cyprus).

Thanks to the profits, the city grew and did not forget to protect itself. The most famous element of Mycenaean defence is its walls. They came to be called "Cyclops" because of their massiveness (up to 5m wide), since no one but the Mycenaean one-eyed giants Cyclops could have built such massive walls.

The decline of Mycenae dates back to around 1200 BC, when the city succumbed to nomadic raiders (in other words, sea peoples). These raiders were the Dorians.