Chapter 4 - The Mycenaeans (Bronze Age Greece)

Question 1

Where was the Mycenaean culture located?

Answer 1

The Peloponnese area

Question 2

What are the 3 mains cities of the Myc culture?

Answer 2

Mycenae, Teryans, Pylos

Question 3

What does the Linear B tablet talk about?

Answer 3

Ledgers for surplus of produce, names of gods also written

Question 4

What does “Wanax” and “Basileus” mean in the Myc culture?

Answer 4

Wanax = king, basileus = high level official

Question 5

What does “Wanax” and “Basileus” mean in the Myc culture?

Answer 5

Wanax = king, basileus = high level official

Question 6

What are the 4 most important places in the city, Mycenae?

Answer 6

1. Palace (Megaron), 2. Lion Gate, 3. Grave circle ‘A’, 4. Grave circle ‘B’

Question 7

What building is located on the highest point of Mycenae?

Answer 7

The Palace

Question 8

What does the “cyclopean masonry” of the Lion Gate indicate about the settlement of Mycenae?

Answer 8

Competition (and therefore peer polity interaction)

Question 9

What do the two lions on the Lion Gate symbolize about the settlement of Mycenae?

Answer 9

Symbolize power in the culture/city

Question 10

What is an example of Minoan influence in the Lion Gate in Mycenae?

Answer 10

The tapered down pillars

Question 11

What was the main area of the Megaron in Mycenae?

Answer 11

A central hearth with 4 columns

Question 12

What did the storerooms found in a Megaron mean about the city?

Answer 12

They were a show of the power of the city’s economy

Question 13

What was the primary function of a Mycenaean palace?

Answer 13

Private king’s residence

Question 14

What was the only reason for ritual in the Myc culture?

Answer 14

Only in the context of kingship and private feasting

Question 15

What is the secondary function of a Myc palace?

Answer 15

Central administration (ex. collection and redistribution of surplus goods)

Question 16

Where is Grave Circle ‘B’ located and who was buried there?

Answer 16

Outside the city, and probably elite citizens

Question 17

The fact that grave circle ‘B’ is surrounded by a wall, in a prominent roadside location, has grave markers and burial goods indicates what?

Answer 17

The those who were buried here had wealth

Question 18

Why did families give their ancestors such grave burials?

Answer 18

To establish power and transition of leadership in the family

Question 19

Where is grave circle ‘A’ located and what kinds of disposal of bodies was used?

Answer 19

Was originally outside the city, but city grew around it. Shaft grave with inhumations

Question 20

What are 3 kinds of burial goods found in grave circle ‘A”

Answer 20

Grave stele, ceremonial daggers, gold funeral masks

Question 21

Were Minoan or Mycenaean cities more heavily fortified?

Answer 21

Mycenaean (Minoan not at all)

Question 22

Which of palace (Min or Myc) was centered around public/ ritual ceremony, and which was centered around kings residence?

Answer 22

Min - public/ritual ceremony, Myc - kings residence

Question 23

Was Min or Myc culture focued on displays of wealth and legitimization of rule and succession?

Answer 23

Myc (no clear method of passing down power in the Min culture)

Question 24

Were rituals in the Myc culture private or public?

Answer 24

Private (for the king)