Achaeans

The Achaeans were an ancient Greek civilization known primarily from Homer's epics, particularly the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey." They are often associated with the Mycenaean period, around 1600-1100 BCE, when powerful city-states emerged in Greece. The term "Achaeans" generally refers to the Greek-speaking peoples who participated in the Trojan War and reflects their complex society, which included advanced architecture, art, and trade. The historical Achaeans played a crucial role in the development of Greek culture, mythology, and the language that laid the foundation for later Greek civilization.