1200s BCE - Definition and Overview

Centuries: 14th century BC - 13th century BC - 12th century BC

Decades: 1250s BC 1240s BC 1230s BC 1220s BC 1210s BC - 1200s BC - 1190s BC 1180s BC 1170s BC 1160s BC 1150s BC

Events and Trends

• 1204 BC - Theseus, legendary King of Athens is deposed after a reign of 30 years and succeeded by Menestheus, great-grandson of Erichthonius II of Athens and second cousin of his father Aegeus. Menestheus was reportedly assisted by Castor and Polydeuces of Sparta who wanted to reclaim their sister Helen from her first husband Theseus. The later seeks refuge in Skyros whose King Lycomedes is an old friend and ally of his. However Lycomedes considers his visitor a threat to the throne and proceeds in his assassination. (Other accounts place these events a decade earlier. See 1210s BC).
• 1200 BC - The Cimmerians start settling the steppes of southern Russia.

Significant People

• Merneptah, Pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt ( 1212- 1202 BC).
• Amenemses, Pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt (1202- 1199 BC).