Greek Dark Ages

The Greek Dark Ages refers to Greek history from the presumed Dorian invasion and end of the Mycenaean civilization in the 11th century BCE to the first Greek city-states in the 9th century BCE.

The archaeological evidence shows a collapse of civilization in the eastern Mediterranean world during this period, as the great palaces and cities of the Myceneans are destroyed or abandoned.

Around this time, the Hittite civilization collapses and cities from Troy to Gaza are destroyed.

The writing of Greek language appears to cease.

Greek Dark Age pottery has simple geometric designs and lacks the figurative decoration of Mycenean ware.

Because of this the Greek Dark Ages are also referred to as the Geometric Age.

The Greeks of the Dark Age live in fewer and smaller settlements suggesting famine and depopulation.

It was previously thought that contact was lost between foreign powers during this period yielding little cultural progress or growth; however, artifacts from excavations at Lefkandi on the Lelantine Plain in Euboea suggest that there is significant culture and trade links with the east, particularly the Levantine coast, that develop from c. 900 BCE onwards, and evidence has emerged of the new presence of Hellenes in sub-Mycenaean Cyprus and on the Syrian coast at Al Mina.

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