The Mycenaean Civilization, which developed in the area of the Aegean during the final phase of the Bronze Age (ca. 1600-1100 BC), took its name from its most renowned centre, Mycenae. Together with the Minoan Civilization of Crete, they are the most brilliant cultures of Greek prehistory and the earliest high civilizations of Europe. These were the first civilizations on European soil to develop a complex economic and administrative organisation. They are characterized by palatial and urban centres, monumental arts, developments in technology and writing. Scripts came into existence to facilitate the palatial system of government in controlling the production of goods. Mycenaean writing, known as Linear B, is the earliest European script to have been deciphered and is an early form of the Greek language.

The discovery of Mycenaean Civilization was made by Heinrich Schliemann, a fervent admirer of Homer. In 1876 he brought to light the famous royal Shaft Graves in the citadel at Mycenae, thereby resurrecting a major civilization, until then known only in legend. The investigations of this German pioneer were continued by the Greek scholar Christos Tsountas, the English archaeologist A.J.B. Wace, the American C.W. Blegen and other Greek and foreign archaeologists. Their excavations showed that Mycenae was indeed "rich in gold" and powerful, and that there were many other important centres of Mycenaean Civilisation, including Tiryns, Argos, Midea, Vapheio, Pylos, Thebes, Orchomenos, Athens, Thorikos and Iolkos.

The agrarian way of life of the Middle Bronze Age in mainland Greece was influenced by the refined Minoan Civilization and transformed into the more complex society which we know as Mycenaean. Mycenaean Civilization developed rapidly in the 14th-l3th centuries BC and spread throughout Greece and the Aegean. The Mycenaeans adopted many elements of Minoan art, even of religion and social organisation. After the eruption of the volcano of Thera at about 1500 BC, and the destruction of the Minoan centres of Crete in the middle of the 15th century BC, Minoan supremacy was succeeded by that of the Mycenaeans, who established themselves at Knossos, possibly using it as a base for extending their control over the rest of Crete.

The great achievements of the Mycenaean Civilization, the palaces with their elaborate fresco decoration, the monumental fortified citadels and imposing tholos tombs, all show the power and wealth of the Mycenaean rulers. This wealth was derived from agriculture and craft production and the conduct of overseas trade. Notable works of art were produced in the Mycenaean workshops, such as fine pottery, luxurious metal, stone and faience vessels, jewellery and splendid ivory carvings. Many of these items were exported throughout the eastern Mediterranean - to Anatolia, Cyprus, the Levant, and Egypt.

The decline of the Mycenaean Civilization began in the 12th century BC after a series of catastrophes, which struck its major centres and caused the collapse of the palace economy; it disappeared around the middle of the 11th century BC after setting the foundation for the "Greek miracle" of the Archaic and Classical periods.

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