Aegean civilizations
Aegean civilization is a general term for the Bronze Age civilizations of Greece around the Aegean Sea. There are three distinct but communicating and interacting geographic regions covered by this term: Crete, the Cyclades and the Greek mainland. Crete is associated with the Minoan civilization from the Early Bronze Age. The Cyclades converge with the mainland during the Early Helladic ("Minyan") period and with Crete in the Middle Minoan period. From ca. 1450 BC (Late Helladic, Late Minoan), the Greek Mycenaean civilization spreads to Crete.
Periodization
Mainland
Early Helladic (EH): 3200/3100–2050/2001 BCE
Middle Helladic (MH): 2000/1900–1550 BCE
Late Helladic (LH): 1550–1050 BCE
Crete
Early Minoan (EM): 3650–2160 BCE
Middle Minoan (MM): 2160–1600 BCE
Late Minoan (LM): 1600–1170 BCE
Cyclades
Early Cycladic (EC): 3300–2000 BCE
Kastri (EH II–EH III): ca. 2500–2100 BCE
Convergence with MM from ca. 2000 BCE
Commerce