The Mycenaean Civilization developed around 1900 BC, during the "Bronze Age," in the southern area of Ancient Greece. During this time, Mycenae was known as an area that contributed to the growth and development of surrounding city-states, such as the more famous Athens, Pylos, Thebes, and Tiryns.
This era was known as the Bronze Age because the development of many metal weapons rapidly flourished. A sense of protection for the homeland increased, and most likely lead to, the formation of strong city-states. This theme of the homeland can be seen in Homer's Odyssey, an epic poem that was traditionally read orally, until eventually recorded and passed on through written text. One example of the love that the people of Mycenae have for their home can be compared to Odysseus' desire to return home. In the poem, a character named Calypso states:
"So then,
royal son of Laertes, Odysseus, man of exploits,
still eager to leave at once and hurry back
to your own home, your beloved native land?"
royal son of Laertes, Odysseus, man of exploits,
still eager to leave at once and hurry back
to your own home, your beloved native land?"
Mycenae was divided into two parts of land. The palace land and the communal land. The palace land housed the many rulers and attendants who conducted administrative duties at the palace. In the communal land resided those who were obliged to perform duties and pay taxes. These people consisted of craftsman, farmers, merchants, etc.
Although one could distinguish between social classes at this time, there was hardly any differentiation between religious classes. No priest class has been identified to date, however, those who were worshiped (rulers, Greek Gods, etc.) were identified from those who were worshiping (farmers, peasants, slaves, etc.) by certain gestures made at religious events.
Myths of Greek Gods and other various creatures or characters who were worshiped and/or feared developed at this time and were passed on by word of mouth. Many of these myths can be found in homer's Iliad, and again in Odyssey. Both epic poems were originally spoken by mouth and passed on by people to people until they were recorded as written text.
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| Odysseus escaping a Cyclops. |
Homer. The Odyssey. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Viking, 1996.
I've always really loved The Odyssey, so it was fun to kind of be reminded of it and learn a bit more about the cultural context for it. It made me wonder, though--we know quite a bit about what the Mycenaens learned, but do we know how they learned it? I'd be interested in learning more about knowledge institutions from this period and civilization.
ReplyDeleteGood post, Misa!
So i found some info on Greek education and Mycenaea at THIS site. It says that basically lots of the more noble class would send their kids to be educated by mentors. The mentors would teach dance, poetry, and instrumental music.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a pretty awesome way to learn. I mean, i'm all for the classroom and lecture, but it would be way awesome to learn just from one expert who teaches you all he knows.
I liked your link Mike. Way to answer the institutions questions. I'm glad we are being conciseness of the learning outcomes.
ReplyDeleteI guess this is where we get the idea of a classical education. We need to be educated in all different topics. This trend is still apparent in our education system in the form of GE's (all those classes that you have to take to make you a well rounded educated individual and not necessarily out of any relevance to your topic of study.
This seems to be the first group that we have discussed as a blog that did not distribute knowledge differently to priestly and lay people. Misa mentions that and I would be interested in knowing what it way about the Mycenaens that allowed that when most other cultures had very clear distinctions.
In partial answer to your question, Alicia, it probably had a lot to do with the fact that the Greeks, and neighboring civilizations like the Mycenaeans, weren't particularly "religious" people. I mean, the Greeks are the ones that really started scientific inquiry and philosophy in western culture. They were "devoted" to their gods in some ways, but they were also the beginning of the argument between mantic and sophic ways of thinking. So, a priest class wouldn't really be privileged by providing an important link to the gods like they are in other cultures.
ReplyDeleteAnd Mike, I was just thinking about that style of thinking the other day. I am a strong proponent of tutoring and a sort of master-apprentice, and mentor-pupil relationship. I actually have some personal experience with that style of learning when becoming a soccer referee, and I found it really effective. But it would require so many more teachers and just truly educated people to teach than we have. For me, it is also a strong incentive to be a well-educated mother so I can teach my children well in the home in addition to traditional schooling.
yeah just to add to what has been discussed. I like the idea of learning all that a person knows about a subject through the mentoring form of education but then again I at least subscribe to today's educational methods or more specifically a more liberal arts education. I like the idea of very narrow and extensive knowledge but I don't like being ignorant and I think that that method offers more room to have ignorance- on any subject that doesn't fit into the one you learned... I think often times what you don't know is more impactful, important and a catalyst for more learning that what you do know...
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