EARLY GREEK ART

On the Greek mainland, the Mycenaean palaces were burned around 1200 B.C.  They were resettled and then burned again (except for Athens).

The burning of these palaces represents the end of the bronze age and the beginning of the iron age.  The iron age was a period of upheaval.  Iron is cheaper and more abundant — so swords can be put in a lot of hands.  Not only did the palaces have access to iron, but so did some of the other  local peoples who were antagonistic towards the palace culture of the Mycenaeans.

The period between 1200 B.C. and 750 B.C. is generally referred to as the Dark Age of Greece.  That is, the historical record goes blank.  With the destruction of the Mycenaean palaces, the king was eliminated.  It appears that the skills acquired by the Mycenaeans disappeared.  During this period of 500 years:

• no large citadels or tombs were constructed

• no masonry was cut

• no frescos were painted

• no stone was sculpted

The Dark Ages of Greece appear to have been characterized by depopulation, poverty, and isolation.