[1] The document discusses several civilizations from the International Bronze Age period between 1500-1100 BCE, including the Minoans of Crete, Mycenaeans of Greece, Hittites of Anatolia, and Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian Empires. [2] The height of Minoan civilization was between 1700-1400 BCE, characterized by palace-centered rule and extensive trade networks. Their religion centered on a fertility goddess and palaces served religious and political functions. The decline of the Minoans around 1400 BCE may have been due to invasion or natural disaster. [3] The Mycenaeans rose to power after