The warrior burials in the shaft graves at Mycenae suggest a society in which warfare between neighbours or defence against outsiders was commonplace, although texts make it clear that within communities law and order was strongly maintained.
From the 14th century BC, sites began to be fortified: first Mycenae and Tiryns, and in the 13th century others such Gla, Athens, Argos and Dendra. The defences were built in the characteristic vast 'cyclopean' drystone style. In addition to strongholds, a defensive wall was built across the Isthmus of Corinth.
Most impressive among the warrior equipment found was a complete set of armour from a tomb at Dendra: body armour made of overlapping bronze rings, greaves (leg guards), arm guards and a helmet made of boars' tusks stitched on leather. Such suits of armour were probably rare and confined to the elite, ordinary soldiers wearing leather armour, perhaps with bronze reinforcements.
Soldiers in armour probably used small shields; previously full length shields had been used, either the straight 'tower' variety shown in the Thera frescoes or the well known figure of eight type. Spears, swords and daggers appear both in graves and on frescoes; archers are rarely depicted although arrowheads are frequently found.
