# History The Bronze Age Collapse, occurring around 1200–1150 BCE, marks a period of sudden and dramatic decline in several advanced civilisations across the Eastern Mediterranean and Near East. This era saw the fall of major kingdoms, including the Hittites, Mycenaeans, and Egyptians, and the disruption of trade routes, urban centers, and literacy. The causes of this collapse remain debated, with several theories proposed: --- ### **Theories on the Bronze Age Collapse** 1. **Sea Peoples Invasions**: - One of the most cited theories involves the "Sea Peoples," a confederation of seafaring raiders mentioned in Egyptian records (e.g., the inscriptions of Ramses III). They are believed to have attacked coastal cities and disrupted trade networks, contributing to the collapse of several civilizations. - However, their origins and motivations remain unclear, and some scholars argue they were a symptom rather than the primary cause of the collapse. 2. **Climate Change and Drought**: - Evidence from pollen records, sediment cores, and ancient texts suggests prolonged droughts and climatic shifts during this period. These [[Ecology|environmental]] changes may have led to crop failures, famine, and population displacement, destabilizing societies. - For example, the Hittite kingdom relied heavily on grain imports, which would have been disrupted by droughts and trade breakdowns. 3. **Systemic Collapse (Complex Systems Theory)**: - Some historians argue that the interconnectedness of Bronze Age civilisations made them vulnerable to systemic collapse. The reliance on long-distance trade for resources like tin and copper, coupled with political instability, could have led to a domino effect when one part of the system failed. 4. **Earthquakes and Natural Disasters**: - The Eastern Mediterranean is prone to seismic activity. Some scholars suggest that a series of earthquakes may have destroyed key cities and infrastructure, weakening states and making them susceptible to invasion or internal revolt. 5. **Internal Revolts and Social Unrest**: - Economic hardship, inequality, and the concentration of wealth in the hands of elites may have led to internal rebellions. The collapse of centralized authority could have resulted in the fragmentation of states. 6. **Technological and Military Changes**: - The introduction of new military technologies, such as iron weapons, may have shifted the balance of power. Iron was more accessible and cheaper than bronze, potentially empowering smaller groups to challenge established kingdoms. --- ### **History and Rise of Kingdoms Leading to the Collapse** The Late Bronze Age (c. 1550–1200 BCE) was a period of flourishing civilizations, characterized by complex trade networks, diplomatic relations, and monumental architecture. Key kingdoms and their rise include: 1. **Egypt (New Kingdom)**: - The New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BCE) was a high point of Egyptian power, with pharaohs like Thutmose III, Akhenaten, and Ramses II expanding Egypt's influence through military campaigns and diplomacy. - Egypt maintained [[Control]] over key trade routes and resources, such as gold from Nubia and timber from the Levant. 2. **Hittite Empire**: - Centered in Anatolia (modern Turkey), the Hittites (c. 1600–1200 BCE) were a major power, known for their use of chariots and ironworking. They clashed with Egypt (e.g., the Battle of Kadesh, 1274 BCE) but also engaged in diplomacy, as seen in the Treaty of Kadesh. 3. **Mycenaean Greece**: - The Mycenaeans (c. 1600–1100 BCE) dominated the Aegean, with fortified cities like Mycenae and Pylos. They were part of a wider trade network, evidenced by Linear B tablets and artifacts found across the Mediterranean. 4. **Assyria and Babylon**: - In Mesopotamia, the Assyrians and Babylonians vied for dominance. The Kassite dynasty ruled Babylon during this period, while Assyria began its rise to power under kings like Ashur-uballit I. 5. **Minoans and Others**: - The Minoans of Crete (c. 2000–1450 BCE) were an earlier civilization that influenced the Mycenaeans. Their decline is often attributed to the eruption of Thera (Santorini) and Mycenaean conquest. --- ### **The Collapse and Its Aftermath** By 1200 BCE, many of these civilizations were in decline or had collapsed entirely. The aftermath saw: - The disappearance of centralized states and a return to smaller, localized communities. - A "Dark Age" in regions like Greece, where literacy (Linear B) was lost for centuries. - The rise of new powers, such as the Phoenicians and Arameans, who would later play key roles in the Iron Age. The Bronze Age Collapse remains one of [[History]]'s great mysteries, with its causes likely being a combination of environmental, social, and political factors. Its study offers insights into the fragility of complex societies and the interconnectedness of ancient civilizations. `Concepts:` `Knowledge Base:`