Villages grew and turned into cities Villages grew and turned into cities. These cities developed their own traditions and governments. Today we call these tiny nations city-states. People in Greece begin writing again. It is believed this is the time when Homer wrote the epic about the Trojan War. Mycenaeans likely destroyed the city of Knossos. Aristocratic governments were overthrown and replaced by tyrants. Tyrants had the support of the middle and working classes. People eventually overthrew tyrants and adopted democracy, in which citizens govern themselves. Civilization in Greece collapsed and the Dark Ages followed. The Dark ages were a time of little trade and writing. Minoan culture thrives and flourishes on the island of Crete. These city-states were probably run by military rulers. By the end of the Dark Ages, most city-states were ruled by aristocrats. Small villages formed around the strong and protected structures on the acropolis. Mycenaean culture thrives and flourishes in Mycenae on mainland Greece. Merchants and artisans wanted a say in government. They could afford large armies.

Minoan culture thrives and flourishes on the island of Crete. Mycenaeans likely destroyed the city of Knossos. Mycenaean culture thrives and flourishes in Mycenae on mainland Greece. Civilization in Greece collapsed and the Dark Ages followed. The Dark ages were a time of little trade and writing. People in Greece begin writing again. It is believed this is the time when Homer wrote the epic about the Trojan War. Small villages formed around the strong and protected structures on the acropolis.

Villages grew and turned into cities Villages grew and turned into cities. These cities developed their own traditions and governments. Today we call these tiny nations city-states. These city-states were probably run by military rulers. By the end of the Dark Ages, most city-states were ruled by aristocrats. Merchants and artisans wanted a say in government. They could afford large armies. Aristocratic governments were overthrown and replaced by tyrants. Tyrants had the support of the middle and working classes. People eventually overthrew tyrants and adopted democracy, in which citizens govern themselves.