Bronze Age - Revision history

Bennettj: /* Mycenaeans */

2026-07-07T18:52:41Z

Mycenaeans

Bennettj: /* Mycenaeans */

2026-07-07T18:50:14Z

Mycenaeans

Tao alexis at 02:46, 16 June 2026

2026-06-16T02:46:14Z

Bennettj: /* Mycenaeans */

2026-06-10T19:16:11Z

Mycenaeans

Bennettj: /* Harappan Culture */

2026-06-03T15:36:45Z

Harappan Culture

Bennettj: /* Egypt */

2026-05-22T17:45:17Z

Egypt

Bennettj at 17:18, 22 May 2026

2026-05-22T17:18:00Z

Tao alexis at 21:56, 16 February 2025

2025-02-16T21:56:38Z

Show changes

Tao alexis: /* Mitanni Culture */

2025-02-16T21:52:01Z

Mitanni Culture

Tao alexis: /* Hittite Culture */

2025-02-16T21:50:46Z

Hittite Culture

@@ Line 67: / Line 67: @@
 The Mycenaean peoples emerge between the 16th and 15th centuries <small>BC</small>, migrating south into the Greek mainland from the continent.  Ruled by a warrior [[Aristocracy|aristocracy]], their agrarian society consisted of labouring free persons and slaves.  As skilled warriors, the Mycenaeans engaged in trade and conflict with other cultures, notably the Minoans and Hittites.
-They're best known for their construction of massive fortresses and palaces, employing the use of large, irregularly-shaped stone blocks without mortar.  Advances were made in metalworking and craftsmanship, a more simplified writing system based on the Minoan model, agricultural innovations and advanced shipbuilding techniques.  Developing advanced military technologies, using bronze swords, spear tips and [[Armour Class|armour]], as well as chariots, they possessed a prowess that made them feared in battle.  For the most part, these advancements were built upon the knowledge and influence of earlier Minoan advances.
+They're best known for their construction of massive fortresses and palaces, employing the use of large, irregularly-shaped stone blocks without mortar.  Advances were made in metalworking and craftsmanship, a more simplified writing system based on the Minoan model, agricultural innovations and advanced shipbuilding techniques.  Developing advanced military technologies, using bronze swords, spear tips and [[Armour List|armour]], as well as chariots, they possessed a prowess that made them feared in battle.  For the most part, these advancements were built upon the knowledge and influence of earlier Minoan advances.
 While the civilisation was at it's height between the 14th and 13th centuries <small>BC</small>, within a century the Mycenae culture experienced a rapic collapse.  Illiteracy led to a period of technological regression, which coincided with a period of internal strife.  The depletion of resources and the destruction of multiple palaces suggests a civil war — while at the same time, Dorian peoples from the north, among other groups, caused a severe dissolution.  The period would herald a great mythological tradition of Greek Olympus, the Trojan War and profound heroes such as Theseus, Hercules, Achilles and Odysseus.  That the events surrounding these myths fell into the "dark age" that followed the Mycenaean collapse is intriguing.

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 The Mycenaean peoples emerge between the 16th and 15th centuries <small>BC</small>, migrating south into the Greek mainland from the continent.  Ruled by a warrior [[Aristocracy|aristocracy]], their agrarian society consisted of labouring free persons and slaves.  As skilled warriors, the Mycenaeans engaged in trade and conflict with other cultures, notably the Minoans and Hittites.
-They're best known for their construction of massive fortresses and palaces, employing the use of large, irregularly-shaped stone blocks without mortar.  Advances were made in metalworking and craftsmanship, a more simplified writing system based on the Minoan model, agricultural innovations and advanced shipbuilding techniques.  Developing advanced military technologies, using bronze swords, spear tips and armour, as well as chariots, they possessed a prowess that made them feared in battle.  For the most part, these advancements were built upon the knowledge and influence of earlier Minoan advances.
+They're best known for their construction of massive fortresses and palaces, employing the use of large, irregularly-shaped stone blocks without mortar.  Advances were made in metalworking and craftsmanship, a more simplified writing system based on the Minoan model, agricultural innovations and advanced shipbuilding techniques.  Developing advanced military technologies, using bronze swords, spear tips and [[Armour Class|armour]], as well as chariots, they possessed a prowess that made them feared in battle.  For the most part, these advancements were built upon the knowledge and influence of earlier Minoan advances.
 While the civilisation was at it's height between the 14th and 13th centuries <small>BC</small>, within a century the Mycenae culture experienced a rapic collapse.  Illiteracy led to a period of technological regression, which coincided with a period of internal strife.  The depletion of resources and the destruction of multiple palaces suggests a civil war — while at the same time, Dorian peoples from the north, among other groups, caused a severe dissolution.  The period would herald a great mythological tradition of Greek Olympus, the Trojan War and profound heroes such as Theseus, Hercules, Achilles and Odysseus.  That the events surrounding these myths fell into the "dark age" that followed the Mycenaean collapse is intriguing.

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 '''The Bronze Age''' extends between 3200 and 1200 <small>BC</small>, marking the transition from prehistory to recorded civilisation and culminating in the widespread collapse of societies across the eastern [[Mediterranean]]. This era saw significant advancements in [[Bronzeworking (technology)|bronze]] metallurgy, leading to improved tools and weapons for farming, construction and warfare.  Developments in [[Pottery (technology)|pottery]] and ceramics enhanced storage, cooking and trade, while the use of [[Wheel (technology)|wheeled]] vehicles, including carts and chariots, transformed transportation and military tactics. The emergence of [[Writing (technology)|writing]] systems enabled the documentation of laws, administrative records, religious texts and historical accounts, facilitating the growth of bureaucratic governance.
 __TOC__
-Textile production expanded as weaving techniques became more sophisticated, supporting the development of trade networks that connected distant regions. Metalworking extended beyond bronze to include iron, silver and gold, allowing for the creation of intricate jewelry, finely crafted ornaments and decorative artifacts that held cultural and economic value.  These advancements laid the foundation for complex societies, fostering urban centers, specialised craftsmanship and expansive trade routes that shaped the civilisations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia and the Aegean.
+Textile production expanded as weaving techniques became more sophisticated, supporting the development of trade networks that connected distant regions. Metalworking extended beyond bronze to include iron, silver and gold, allowing for the creation of intricate jewelry, finely crafted ornaments and decorative artifacts that held cultural and economic value.  These advancements laid the foundation for complex societies, fostering urban centers, specialised craftsmanship and expansive trade routes that shaped the civilisations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia and the [[Aegean Sea|Aegean]].
 Human history during the '''Bronze Age''' saw the rise of ancient [[Egypt]], [[Sumer and Akkad]], the [[Hittites]], [[Mycenaean]] Greece, the [[Indus Valley]] culture and the [[Xia, Shang and Zhou]] dynasties in China. Alongside these human civilisations, the gnomish '''Vepsian''' empire flourished in the vast northern forests of Europe, controlling trade and resources in the region.  From the west, elves appeared and established the '''[[Age of Colyan-Ar|Colyan]]''' culture, leaving an enduring mark on history through their artistry, governance and arcane traditions. Meanwhile, in the east, the hobgoblins of the '''Yaxjasso''' empire rose to power, expanding their dominion across much of Siberia through military conquest and the establishment of fortified strongholds.

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 === Mycenaeans ===
-The Mycenaean peoples emerge between the 16th and 15th centuries <small>BC</small>, migrating south into the Greek mainland from the continent.  Ruled by a warrior aristocracy, their agrarian society consisted of labouring free persons and slaves.  As skilled warriors, the Mycenaeans engaged in trade and conflict with other cultures, notably the Minoans and Hittites.
+The Mycenaean peoples emerge between the 16th and 15th centuries <small>BC</small>, migrating south into the Greek mainland from the continent.  Ruled by a warrior [[Aristocracy|aristocracy]], their agrarian society consisted of labouring free persons and slaves.  As skilled warriors, the Mycenaeans engaged in trade and conflict with other cultures, notably the Minoans and Hittites.
 They're best known for their construction of massive fortresses and palaces, employing the use of large, irregularly-shaped stone blocks without mortar.  Advances were made in metalworking and craftsmanship, a more simplified writing system based on the Minoan model, agricultural innovations and advanced shipbuilding techniques.  Developing advanced military technologies, using bronze swords, spear tips and armour, as well as chariots, they possessed a prowess that made them feared in battle.  For the most part, these advancements were built upon the knowledge and influence of earlier Minoan advances.

@@ Line 75: / Line 75: @@
 [[File:Harappan Culture.jpg|right|350px|thumb]]
-Cities possessed public baths, granaries and citadels, all fashioned from standardised bricks.  Standardisation was also applied to weights and measures.  Pottery was known for its high quality and intricate designs.  The Harappans were proficient in metallurgy also, fashioning objects made of gold, copper and bronze.  Religious practices are speculative; most likely, the people continued to follow animism and were never contacted by the gods.
+Cities possessed public baths, granaries and citadels, all fashioned from standardised bricks.  Standardisation was also applied to weights and measures.  Pottery was known for its high quality and intricate designs.  The Harappans were proficient in metallurgy also, fashioning objects made of gold, copper and bronze.  Religious practices are speculative; most likely, the people continued to follow [[Mysticism (technology)#Animism|animism]] and were never contacted by the gods.
 Beginning around 1900 <small>BC</small>, the region saw significant declines on the availability of water; signs point to a shift in the Indus River basin, which disrupted irrigation systems vital for food production.  It's unknown if social unrest or conflicts contributed to the culture's demise; alternatively, some form of epidemnic may have devastated the population, resulting in a scattering of peoples and a widescale loss of knowledge.  The period of complete decline likely took hundreds of years.

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 The era comprised the '''Early Dynastic''' period, followed by the '''Old, Middle and New Kingdoms''', the last of which ended in 1090 <small>BC</small>.
-The '''Old Kingdom''' (c.2780–2270 <small>BC</small>) marked the height of Egypt's wealth and power, centered in [[Memphis]], on the Upper Nile. This period saw the construction of the Pyramids at [[Gizeh]], the flourishing of agriculture and the occupation of [[Sinai]] and its copper mines. However, the kingdom's vast expenditures on monumental architecture and royal projects placed a heavy burden on the economy. Over time, political instability and financial strain led to a period of fragmentation and decline.
+The '''Old Kingdom''' (c.2780–2270 <small>BC</small>) marked the height of Egypt's wealth and power, centered in [[Memphis]], on the Upper Nile. This period saw the construction of the Pyramids at [[Gizeh]], the flourishing of [[Agriculture (technology)|agriculture]] and the occupation of [[Sinai]] and its copper mines. However, the kingdom's vast expenditures on monumental architecture and royal projects placed a heavy burden on the economy. Over time, political instability and financial strain led to a period of fragmentation and decline.
 The '''Middle Kingdom''' (c.2143–1790 <small>BC</small>) restored Egypt's unity with its center at [[Thebes]]. The pharaohs expanded southward beyond the [[First Cataract]] and waged military campaigns into [[Syria]]. This period is known for its classical artistic and literary achievements, as well as the establishment of long-distance trade with the [[Fertile Crescent]] and the [[Red Sea]] regions. However, the kingdom fell into turmoil following the invasion of the '''Hyksos''' from Syria, leading to a breakdown of central authority.

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 Textile production expanded as weaving techniques became more sophisticated, supporting the development of trade networks that connected distant regions. Metalworking extended beyond bronze to include iron, silver and gold, allowing for the creation of intricate jewelry, finely crafted ornaments and decorative artifacts that held cultural and economic value.  These advancements laid the foundation for complex societies, fostering urban centers, specialised craftsmanship and expansive trade routes that shaped the civilisations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia and the Aegean.
-Human history during the '''Bronze Age''' saw the rise of ancient [[Egypt]], [[Sumer and Akkad]], the [[Hittites]], [[Mycenaean]] Greece, the [[Indus Valley]] culture and the [[Xia, Shang and Zhou]] dynasties in China. Alongside these human civilisations, the gnomish '''Vepsian''' empire flourished in the vast northern forests of Europe, controlling trade and resources in the region.  From the west, elves appeared and established the '''Colyan''' culture, leaving an enduring mark on history through their artistry, governance and arcane traditions. Meanwhile, in the east, the hobgoblins of the '''Yaxjasso''' empire rose to power, expanding their dominion across much of Siberia through military conquest and the establishment of fortified strongholds.
+Human history during the '''Bronze Age''' saw the rise of ancient [[Egypt]], [[Sumer and Akkad]], the [[Hittites]], [[Mycenaean]] Greece, the [[Indus Valley]] culture and the [[Xia, Shang and Zhou]] dynasties in China. Alongside these human civilisations, the gnomish '''Vepsian''' empire flourished in the vast northern forests of Europe, controlling trade and resources in the region.  From the west, elves appeared and established the '''[[Age of Colyan-Ar|Colyan]]''' culture, leaving an enduring mark on history through their artistry, governance and arcane traditions. Meanwhile, in the east, the hobgoblins of the '''Yaxjasso''' empire rose to power, expanding their dominion across much of Siberia through military conquest and the establishment of fortified strongholds.
 Countless other civilisations also emerged during this era, shaping the cultural and political landscape of the world. Many of these societies have faded into obscurity, their histories lost or shrouded in myth, leaving only fragments of knowledge for scholars to uncover.

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 === Mitanni Culture ===
-The '''Mitanni''' people ('''Hurrians''') are believed to have migrated into northern Mesopotamia around the 15th century <small>BC</small>.  They occupied a strategic position along trade routes, facilitating interactions between '''Kassite''' Babylonia, Anatolia and the '''Levant'''.  The kingdom reached its height within the next two hundred years.  However, the civilisation eventually weakened due to conflicts with neighouring powers.  By the 13th century <small>BC</small>, they were on the wane, eventually to be absorbed into the '''Hittite''' and '''Assyrian''' empires.  While their impact upon the broader region's culture and politics was significant, their contribution was considerably less than that of other states.
+The '''Mitanni''' people, also known as the '''Hurrians''', are believed to have migrated into northern Mesopotamia around the 15th century <small>BC</small>. Establishing themselves in what is now modern-day Syria and northern Iraq, they occupied a vital strategic position along trade routes connecting '''Kassite''' Babylonia, Anatolia, and the '''Levant'''. This location allowed them to exert influence over the movement of goods, particularly metals, textiles, and horses, which were highly prized in warfare. Their kingdom, with its capital at '''Washukanni''', flourished as an intermediary power, balancing diplomatic and military relationships with the surrounding empires.
 === Levant ===

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 === Hittite Culture ===
-The '''Hittites''' were a feudal state of central Anatolia that emerged around the 17th century <small>BC</small>.  Its chief city, '''Hattusa''', was founded about that time.  The culture's exact origin is unknown, but it's certain they migrated into the region from elsewhere.  Adopting and adapting elements of culture and civilisation that already existed in Anatolis, and over time, they developed their own distinctive religious beliefs, art and administrative systems.  At it's head was a hereditary ruler, the Great King.
+The '''Hittites''' were a feudal state of central Anatolia that emerged around the 17th century <small>BC</small>. Their chief city, '''Hattusa''', was founded around this time. The exact origins of the Hittites remain uncertain, but it is clear they migrated into Anatolia from elsewhere. Over time, they adopted and adapted elements of the existing cultures in the region, developing their own distinct religious beliefs, artistic traditions, and administrative systems. At the head of their society stood a hereditary ruler, the Great King.
-Their substantive advancement was an early mastery of ironworking, giving them a significant advantage in military technology.  They were among the first civilisations to use iron extensively, a metal stronger than bronze.  The Hittites were also skilled charioteers and innovators in the chariot's design.  Coupled with their advanced fortification techniques, the Hittites proved a formidable enemy for the Egyptians, and much later the '''Mitanni''', with whom they competed.  Adopting cuneiform writing from the Babylonians, the Hittites proved to be skilled diplomats and negotiators.
+One of their most significant advancements was an early mastery of [[Ironworking (technology)|ironworking]], which provided them with a major military advantage. They were among the first civilizations to use iron extensively, a metal far stronger than bronze. The Hittites were also skilled charioteers and made innovations in chariot design. Combined with their advanced fortification techniques, these developments made them a formidable force, particularly against the [[Egyptians]] and later the '''Mitanni'''. Adopting [[Cuneiform (writing system)|cuneiform]] from the Babylonians, the Hittites became adept diplomats and negotiators.
-In the late 16th to early 15th centuries <small>BC</small> came a series of wars with the Mitanni.  During the 14th century, <small>BC</small>, under the rule of '''Suppiluliuma I''', the Hittites experienced a period of expansion and military successes, conquering significant parts of Anatolia and northern Syria, especially against Egypt.  Following the treaty of '''Kadesh''' (1274 <small>BC</small>), hostilities would end and peace was restored.  However, in the centuries thereafter, the kingdom would suffer repeated raids by the Sea Peoples (seafaring raiders) and a crippling series of droughts.  Internal strife and changing power dynamics disrupted their trade.  With the destruction of Hattusa (c.1180-2000 <small>BC</small>), most likely by the '''Assyrians''', Hittite power would vanish.  Their lands would be occupied afterward by the '''Phrygians''' and '''Lydians'''.
+Between the late 16th and early 15th centuries <small>BC</small>, they fought a series of wars with the '''Mitanni'''. Under '''Suppiluliuma I''' in the 14th century <small>BC</small>, the Hittites expanded aggressively, conquering large parts of Anatolia and northern Syria, often clashing with [[Egypt]]. After the '''Treaty of Kadesh''' (1274 <small>BC</small>), peace was established. However, in the following centuries, the Hittites faced repeated raids by the [[Sea Peoples]], along with devastating droughts and internal conflicts that weakened their trade networks. The destruction of Hattusa (c.1180 <small>BC</small>), likely at the hands of the '''Assyrians''', marked the end of Hittite power. Their lands were later settled by the '''Phrygians''' and '''Lydians'''.
 === Mitanni Culture ===