1550s BC

The 1550s BC was a decade lasting from January 1, 1559 BC to December 31, 1550 BC.

Events and trends

• The city of Mycenae, in the northeast Peloponnesus, becomes the most powerful in Achaea. The Mycenaean civilization is named after the town.
• 1557 BC—Estimation: Memphis, capital of Lower Egypt becomes the largest city of the world. It takes the lead from Avaris, capital of the Hyksos in Egypt.
• 1556 BC—Cecrops I rebuilds Athens after the great flood of Deucalion. He becomes the first of several Kings of Athens whose life is part of Greek mythology.
• c. 1552 BC—End of Second Intermediate period in Ancient Egypt. Start of New Kingdom. 18th–20th Dynasties.
• 1550 BC—Ahmose I becomes Pharaoh of Egypt.
• 1550 BC—May 14—Lunar Saros 35 begins.
• c. 1550 BC–1500 BC—Dagger blades with lion hunt, from Shaft Grave IV, Grave Circle A, at Mycenae, Greece, are made. They are now at National Archaeological Museum of Athens.
• c. 1550 BC Stonehenge was built.