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What were the three main Bronze Age cultures of the Aegean world?
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Aegean civilizations
Principal sites associated with Aegean civilizations.
The three main Bronze Age cultures of the Aegean world are the Minoan, Cycladic, and Helladic civilizations.1
- Minoan: Flourishing on the island of Crete, this was the first high civilization in the Aegean area, characterized by sophisticated palaces, extensive trade, and the use of writing.12
- Cycladic: Centered in the Cyclades islands, this culture maintained its own distinctive traditions while interacting with and adapting influences from Crete.13
- Helladic: This term refers to the Bronze Age cultures of the Greek mainland. Within this tradition, the Mycenaean civilization emerged in the 16th century BCE, eventually becoming the dominant power in the Aegean region after the decline of Minoan influence.14