 The hypothesis of a Dorian invasion , known as such in Ancient Greek tradition , that led to the end of Mycenaean Greece , is supported by sporadic archaeological evidence such as new types of burials , in particular cist graves , and the use of a new dialect of Greek , the Doric one . It appears that the Dorians moved southward gradually over a number of years and devastated the territory , until they managed to establish themselves in the Mycenaean centers . A new type of ceramic also appeared , called " Barbarian Ware " because it was attributed to invaders from the north . On the other hand , the collapse of Mycenaean Greece coincides with the activity of the Sea Peoples in the Eastern Mediterranean . They caused widespread destruction in Anatolia and the Levant and were finally defeated by Pharaoh Ramesses III in c . 1175 BC . One of the ethnic groups that comprised these people were the Eqwesh , a name that appears to be linked with the Ahhiyawa of the Hittite inscriptions . 
