Linear B

Definition

Linear B is an ancient script used for writing Mycenaean Greek, primarily during the late Bronze Age. It is significant as one of the earliest known forms of written Greek and provides crucial insights into the administrative and economic aspects of Mycenaean civilization, highlighting their complex society and trade networks.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Linear B was used primarily from about 1450 to 1200 BCE, with the majority of surviving examples found on clay tablets and pottery.
2. The script is syllabic in nature, meaning it represents sounds rather than individual letters or words, making it a complex system for documenting language.
3. Most Linear B texts are administrative records, including inventories, lists of goods, and details on agricultural production, indicating a highly organized society.
4. The script was first discovered in the early 20th century at Knossos on Crete, but it is most prominently associated with the Mycenaean palaces in mainland Greece.
5. The successful decipherment of Linear B in 1952 by Michael Ventris revealed significant details about the Mycenaean economy, religion, and social structure.

Review Questions

• How does Linear B reflect the administrative and economic practices of Mycenaean civilization?
  • Linear B reflects the administrative and economic practices of Mycenaean civilization by serving as a record-keeping tool for their complex society. The majority of Linear B texts are administrative documents that include inventories and lists detailing agricultural production and resources. This indicates that the Mycenaeans had developed a sophisticated system for managing goods and services, essential for supporting their palatial centers and trade networks.
• Discuss the significance of Pylos in relation to Linear B and what its discoveries reveal about Mycenaean society.
  • Pylos is significant as it houses one of the most important archaeological finds related to Linear B. The discovery of thousands of Linear B tablets at Pylos provides insights into Mycenaean administrative practices, including detailed records on land ownership and agricultural output. This wealth of information reveals not only the economic complexity but also aspects of social hierarchy and power dynamics within Mycenaean society, illustrating how vital these documents were to governance.
• Evaluate the impact of Michael Ventris' decipherment of Linear B on our understanding of ancient Greek history.
  • Michael Ventris' decipherment of Linear B had a profound impact on our understanding of ancient Greek history by opening up a window into the previously obscure Mycenaean civilization. It revealed that the Mycenaeans spoke an early form of Greek and provided detailed insights into their economy, social structure, and religious practices. This breakthrough shifted perceptions about the continuity between Mycenaean culture and later classical Greek civilization, allowing historians to trace linguistic and cultural developments over time.

Related terms

Mycenaean Civilization: An ancient Greek civilization that thrived during the late Bronze Age, known for its palatial centers, advanced architecture, and extensive trade networks.

Pylos:

A major Mycenaean archaeological site in Greece where a significant collection of Linear B tablets was discovered, providing valuable information about Mycenaean administration and society.

Decipherment: The process of interpreting and understanding written languages or scripts, particularly referring to the successful decoding of Linear B by Michael Ventris in the 1950s.