Customs / 05.09.2023

Creative work on the Mycenaean theme. Mycenae is the largest city of ancient Hellas. Excursions to Mycenae

Background

Due to constant internal wars, the cultural, economic and political life of the Achaean state entities was concentrated around the palace-citadel, which makes this civilization similar to the Cretan-Minoan culture , although the latter was much less militant in nature. One of the largest citadels was located in the Mycenaean region, thanks to the rich archaeological finds in this area associated with the Achaeans, their civilization was called Mycenaean.

Around the 14th century. BC. the mass migration of the Achaeans to the Asia Minor peninsula (the territory of modern Turkey) began . This historical period is reflected in the work of the ancient poet Homer “Iliad”, which tells about the united campaign of the Achaeans under the leadership of King Agamemnon against Troy, the epic tells us about the ten-year siege of this settlement, which ended with its plunder. It can be argued that the Iliad tells us about the military confrontation between the Achaeans and the inhabitants of Asia Minor, which ended in the victory of the former, as evidenced by the many Achaean settlements in this region, the creation of which corresponds to approximately the 13th century. BC.

At the turn of the 13th and 12th centuries, the Balkan Peninsula was swept by a new wave of migrations: less culturally and economically developed than the Achaeans, but successful militarily (this is due to the development of the production of iron weapons), the Dorians quickly captured the Mycenaean citadels and subjugated their owners. The Dorian conquest of Greece is considered to be the end of the Mycenaean civilization.

Participants

Conclusion

The Mycenaean civilization left behind a rich cultural heritage; it also contributed to the formation of the civilization of classical Greece, and the famous “Iliad” and “Odyssey”, telling about the Mycenaean era, became the most significant works for the ancient world.

After the death of the Cretan civilization, the Mycenaean culture began to flourish. We learn about this period of Greek history from the myths about the Trojan War, information from which is confirmed by archaeological finds. The self-taught German scientist Heinrich Schliemann devoted his entire life to the search for the mysterious Troy; it was to him that the honor of discovering ancient Troy and Mycenae belongs. In today's lesson, we will follow Schliemann to visit the ruins of ancient Mycenae and Troy, learn about the mythological and historical reasons for the outbreak of the war between the Greeks and the Trojans.

Mycenae was located in Southern Greece, on a rocky hill. The city was surrounded by a fortress wall 900 meters long and 6 meters wide. The entrance to the fortress, made of huge stone blocks, passed through the Lion Gate (Fig. 1). The entrance opening from the gate has been preserved. Near the Lion Gate, archaeologists excavated royal graves. Numerous precious jewelry was found in the tombs. From the golden masks lying on the faces of the buried, one can imagine the appearance of the Mycenaean rulers. They had stern faces with beards and mustaches.

Rice. 1. Lion Gate ()

During excavations of royal palaces in ancient Greek cities, hundreds of clay tablets with inscriptions were found. These inscriptions have been read. They contain lists of female slaves, rowers on ships, and artisans who worked for the king. Many inscriptions talk about preparations for war. The Mycenaean kings, greedy for other people's wealth, undertook long campaigns for booty.

Around 1200 BC e. Greek cities united under the leadership of the king of Mycenae and opposed Troy, a rich trading city on the coast of Asia Minor. The siege of the city lasted 10 years and ended with the fall of Troy.

The Greeks failed to take advantage of the victory. Warlike tribes invaded Greece from the north. Long-haired, wearing animal skins, they devastated the south of the country, destroying Pylos, Mycenae and other cities. The population hid in the mountains and moved to the islands of the Aegean Sea and Asia Minor. There was a decline in the economy, and writing was forgotten.

Among the newcomers were Greek tribes related to those who lived in Greece before their invasion. They settled in deserted lands.

From generation to generation, the Greeks passed on myths about their gods, ancient heroes and the war with the Trojans. One day the gods arranged a luxurious feast. The goddess of quarrels and discord was not called upon him. However, she appeared uninvited and quietly threw a golden apple among the feasters with the inscription: “To the most beautiful.” Three goddesses argued over an apple. One was Hera, the eldest of the goddesses (the Greeks portrayed her as a beautiful and majestic woman). The other is the warrior Athena. Despite her menacing appearance, she was just as attractive. The third is Aphrodite, the eternally young goddess of beauty and love. Each of the goddesses believed that the apple was destined for her. They turned to the god of thunder and lightning, Zeus, asking him to judge them. But Zeus, although he was the main god, did not want to interfere in the quarrel, because Hera was his wife, and Athena and Aphrodite were his daughters. He ordered them to turn to the Trojan prince Paris so that he would resolve the dispute about the golden apple (Fig. 2).

Rice. 2. Judgment of Paris ()

The three goddesses flew across the Aegean Sea and appeared before Paris. “Award the apple to me,” said Hera, “and I will make you the ruler of all Asia.” “If you award the apple to me,” Athena intervened, “I will help you accomplish great feats and become famous.” Aphrodite said: “Give me the apple, and I will find you the most beautiful woman in the world to marry.” Paris awarded the apple to Aphrodite. From then on, she began to help him in everything, and Hera and Athena hated Paris and all the Trojans.

Elena was considered the most beautiful of women (Fig. 3). She lived in the Greek city of Sparta and was the wife of King Menelaus who ruled there. It was as if Paris came to visit him. He was received kindly and cordially. But when the king left for several days on business, Aphrodite inspired Helen to love Paris. She forgot her husband and agreed to flee to Troy. Returning home, the king of Sparta Menelaus became furious and began to call all the kings of Greece to war against Troy. They agreed to participate in the campaign.

Rice. 3. Beautiful Elena ()

The Greeks crossed the sea on hundreds of ships and landed near Troy. Having pulled the ships ashore, they set up a camp, protecting it with a wall. Fighting began on the plain between the camp and Troy. For many years the Greeks unsuccessfully besieged Troy. The Trojan War was Mycenae's last venture. According to myths, Troy was defeated and captured by the Greeks. In reality, the city was destroyed by an earthquake around 1300 BC. e. The long war exhausted the strength of Greek cities, including Mycenae, after which their decline began.

Bibliography

A.A. Vigasin, G.I. Goder, I.S. Sventsitskaya. Ancient world history. 5th grade - M.: Education, 2006.
Nemirovsky A.I. A book to read on the history of the ancient world. - M.: Education, 1991.

Antiquites.academic.ru ()
Bibliotekar.ru ()
Mify.org()

Homework

What archaeological finds indicate that Mycenae was one of the most powerful Greek cities?
Name the mythical and historical reasons for the start of the Trojan War.
Why did Mycenaean culture decline after the Trojan War?
How did the catchphrase “apple of discord” come about?

When planning a trip to Greece, be sure to set aside a few days for a trip to Mycenae. It is not without reason that this ancient city is called the cradle of Hellas. It is thoroughly imbued with the spirit of ancient heroes performing feats in the name of the gods of Olympus, and with unprecedented luxury, which all the kingdoms of the world could envy.

Myths about the appearance of Mycenae

The birth of Mycenae goes back far into history. Archaeologists believe that the city was formed in the sixteenth century BC. Located in the western Peloponnese peninsula, it became the most influential city of Ancient Greece and marked the beginning of an entire era called the Mycenaean era.

Greek legends say that the city was founded by the great hero Perseus, the son of Zeus, with the help of giants and Cyclopes. Indeed, the city itself, the palace and the fortress walls were built from huge blocks of stone, perfectly fitted to each other without the use of mortar. Some blocks weigh about one hundred tons, and the walls themselves rise to a height of thirteen meters. This method of building walls was called “cyclopean masonry.” Most of the buildings in Mycenae were built using this technique. It is difficult to imagine how these blocks moved during construction.

Founders of Mycenae

Historians believe that the founders of the city can be considered the ancient Achaeans, whose main activity was military campaigns against nearby states. Homer in his famous poems praised Mycenae and its warlike founders. Strategically, Mycenae was very conveniently located - the city, surrounded by well-fortified walls, was located on the top of a hill. The plain stretching around made it impossible for enemies to approach the city unnoticed. Gradually he grew stronger and flourished.

History of Mycenae: heyday

The Mycenaeans carefully guarded the approaches to their city, and by the thirteenth century BC they had extended their influence over the entire peninsula. The townspeople were actively engaged in trade and developed their city. The Mycenaean culture replaced the Minoan civilization, which was practically destroyed after the eruption of the Santorini volcano. The Mycenaeans settled the island of Crete, archaeologists have found evidence of their culture in the ruins of the Minos Palace. Several centuries of Mycenaean rule left a huge imprint on the entire history of Ancient Greece.

According to myths, Mycenae set off from this city on a multi-year campaign against Troy. The fall of Troy was a gift to the great king from the gods for his fulfilled promise to sacrifice his own daughter Iphigenia. A few days after his enchanting return to Mycenae, the king was killed by his own wife, Clytamestra, who was distraught after the death of her daughter. To this day, in Greece, her name means “husband killer.”

During their heyday, the Mycenaeans built many cities and decorated their city with majestic structures, such as the royal palace, for example. The difference between poor and rich townspeople was very significant. The Mycenaeans strictly divided society into classes, giving privileges to traders and military leaders.

Fall of Mycenae

Several centuries of the power of the Mycenaean civilization ended after the invasion of the Peloponnese in one thousand two hundred BC by the warlike tribes of the Dorians. They destroyed most of the major cities of the peninsula, including Mycenae. Troy also fell under their onslaught, which did not have enough time to recover from the triumphant victory of Agamemnon. The inhabitants of Mycenae still tried to revive the city, but gradually left the Peleponnese for Asia and the islands. For many centuries, Mycenae was forgotten.

Discovery of Mycenae: excavations by Heinrich Schliemann

Mycenae owes its new birth to the famous Heinrich Schliemann. A persistent archaeologist, keen on the search for the legendary Troy, quite unexpectedly came across one of the burial grounds in the vicinity of Mycenae, which stunned the archaeologist with unprecedented wealth. Jewelry, parts of military armor, figurines and household items - all of this was made of gold. From several burial grounds, Schliemann managed to recover more than thirty kilograms of precious metal items. The gold found is of particular value to archaeologists. Initially, scientists attributed it to the period of the legendary king Agamemnon, but after a long study they dated it to the sixteenth century BC. The treasures found in the city were the most significant archaeological find of the late nineteenth century. Mycenae personifies everything that this majestic and mysterious city has given the world; it amazes the tourist’s imagination with the power of the palace walls, unique royal burials and the barbaric luxury of the artifacts found.

Attractions Mycenae

Excavations in Mycenae continued for many years, revealing new treasures of this amazing city to the world. Each discovery proved that Mycenae had such a powerful influence on the Peloponnese, which Ancient Greece had never experienced before. The sights of Mycenae are now a huge complex with the ruins of the royal palace, burial grounds and fortress walls. You can wander around this for hours. A special place among archaeological finds is occupied by the Lion Gate and shaft tombs at Mycenae. Scientists have not been able to come to a consensus about their origin to this day. An excursion tour to Mycenae can be purchased directly in Athens. Two hours spent on the road is a very small price to pay for the stunning sight that will appear before the eyes of the tourist.

Lion Gate in Mycenae: description

To enter the well-fortified fortress of the city, it was necessary to pass the Lion Gate. They themselves are composed of four monolithic blocks, each of which weighs about twenty tons. Archaeologists believe that these blocks were carved from amygdalite rock. The blocks are carefully processed and adjusted to each other. After many years of study, archaeologists discovered that the blocks were processed with a tool similar to a circular saw. The jagged marks on the stones are still clearly visible. This is one of the first mysteries that the Lion Gate at Mycenae provided to scientists and historians. The type of construction of the gate is identical to the fortress wall - monolithic masonry. According to scientists, the bas-relief of lions was installed above the gate much later than the construction of the fortress wall. The date of its foundation dates back to approximately the thirteenth century BC. Lions are a very common heraldic symbol in Europe. Many royal dynasties were proud of their image on their coat of arms.

The bas-relief is made of three blocks and depicts two powerful animals standing on their hind legs, leaning on a column. The blocks are cut from solid limestone rock. Unfortunately, the heads of the animals were not preserved, but archaeologists claim that they were cast from gold and turned towards the entering people. According to some assumptions, lions were a symbol of one of the ruling dynasties of Mycenae. According to another version, this monumental bas-relief was dedicated to the patroness of the entire animal kingdom - the goddess Potnia. Many historians see the similarity of the bas-relief with ancient Celtic motifs. In their culture, lions occupied a special place, but until today scientists have not figured out the meaning of the majestic image.

Myths about the origin of the Lion Gate

The Lion Gate in Mycenae is a unique structure, the like of which has not been built during the entire heyday of Mycenaean culture. The manner of construction and the carefully crafted bas-relief depicting a column in the Cretan style made scientists recall the most ancient Hellenic myths.

Myths say that the Hellenes were the descendants of the powerful Atlantean gods, who came to the land of Ancient Greece from their lost land. Indeed, many stone structures that archaeologists attribute to the period of the Cretan-Minoan civilization and the Mycenaean civilization that replaced it leave many questions. How could huge blocks of stone be mined and delivered to the construction site? Why do some of them show traces of processing with tools similar to modern ones? Why is the bas-relief of the gate so closely intertwined with images in other cultures? None of the questions were answered.

The Mystery of the Lion Gate

If we take into account that the Lion Gate in Mycenae was erected as a defensive structure, then another mystery of this mysterious place appears before scientists - all the treasures that Schliemann found in his time were in burial grounds located actually under the base of the gate. In the same place, the famous archaeologist managed to find the tomb of Agamemnon himself, filled to the brim with gold and silver artifacts. Neither earlier nor in a later period did the Greeks make such burials.

Archaeologists believe that the entrance to the citadel through the Lion Gate was not available to every person. This is evidenced by the road leading to the gate - along it are located the famous shaft tombs, which became sacred to the Mycenaeans. An outsider could not be allowed into the place of worship. This revealed fact emphasizes the special significance of the Lion Gate as a religious structure during the heyday of Mycenaean culture.

Why did the Mycenaeans make such burials? And why did they place their treasures at the entrance to the city? The scientific world has not yet put forward a worthy hypothesis. The Lion Gate in Mycenae carefully guards the secrets of its creators

Royal Palace

Tourists who buy an excursion tour to Mycenae can see other historical monuments of this once rich city. Directly from the Lion Gate the road led to the royal palace. The ruins of this structure even now delight tourists. In the center of the building there was a huge rectangular hall with a hearth - a megaron. The hearth was carefully decorated and decorated with ornate designs; at the four corners of the hearth there were massive columns supporting the vault. The walls of the main hall were decorated with drawings in the Cretan style. Homer called this hall “shining” in his poems. It should be noted that the Minoans were excellent engineers and architects. The entire structure was built on different levels, connected by a string of corridors and halls. Under the palace there was a system of communications and water supply for the city. Many buildings within Mycenae were built on two or three floors, which speaks not only of the financial viability of the townspeople, but also of the skill of the builders.

The palace itself supposedly housed an ancient sanctuary. Archaeologists have found several sculptures of goddesses and a child. Scientists know absolutely nothing about who the Mycenaeans worshiped. Just as their funeral rites are not known or understood by historians.

Mine Tombs

The Mine Tombs are no less unique a place than the Lion Gate in Mycenae. Two burial circles, converted into a sanctuary in a later period, were the resting places of noble Mycenaeans. Scientists still cannot explain why the townspeople buried their loved ones sitting in narrow shaft-shaped burial grounds. This phenomenon is in no way connected with all previously known Hellenic rituals. Each burial ground was filled with decorations and household items. It should be noted that all items were made of precious metals. Bronze items were occasionally found. After Schliemann's discovery of the shaft tombs, Mycenae began to be called “gold-abundant.”

The monumental Lion Gate, luxurious gold jewelry and myths, legends and mysteries - all this was given to the world by the “gold-rich” Mycenae. Greece is capable of bewitching any tourist who will definitely want to once again touch its history, permeated with thousands of years.

The ancient Greeks were convinced: Mycenae was built by Perseus, and thick, high walls of huge stone slabs were erected by his order by the Cyclopes - one-eyed giant monsters. They simply could not explain otherwise how such a grandiose structure was built in the second millennium BC.

The ruins of Mycenae are located on the Peloponnese peninsula, on the eastern side of a rocky ridge, 2 km from the small town of Mycenes, 90 km southwest of the capital of Greece, Athens, 32 kilometers north of the Gulf of Argolikos. On a geographical map, this ancient Greek city can be calculated using the following coordinates: 37° 43′ 50″ N. latitude, 22° 45′ 22″ e. d.

Mycenae and Troy were discovered by the German amateur archaeologist, Schliemann. He found these unique Bronze Age monuments using a rather interesting method, using Homer’s Iliad instead of a guidebook: first he found the famous Troy, and after a short period of time, Mycenae.

The heyday of the ancient Mycenaean civilization dates back to the end of the Bronze Age and dates back to 1600 - 1100. BC. Legends claim that Mycenae was built by King Perseus, but historians are inclined to conclude that the founders of the ancient city were the Achaeans, warlike representatives of one of the ancient Greek tribes.

The favorable geographical location and wealth of the city (the Mycenaeans conducted active trade throughout the Mediterranean) led to the fact that by the beginning of the 13th century. ancient Mycenae turned out to be one of the most powerful and influential states located on the territory of mainland Greece.

The power of the rulers of Mycenae extended to the entire nearby territory and, according to scientists, even covered the entire north of the Peloponnese (researchers suggest that the kings of the city could well have led the confederation of the Peloponnesian kingdoms).

It is not surprising that the city of Mycenae had well-fortified walls designed to protect against enemy attacks: they tried to capture it more than once, and often quite successfully (this is evidenced by numerous myths of that period, whose plot was intricately mixed with real events, evidence of which was discovered by archaeologists ).

The Mycenaeans themselves were quite warlike: King Agamemnon organized a campaign against Troy, which competed with the Mycenaeans for dominance in the region, and after a ten-year siege achieved a major victory. According to one legend, victory was granted to him by the gods because, having fulfilled the command of the Oracle, he sacrificed his daughter, Iphigenia (this later caused the death of the king: Agamemnon’s wife, who did not accept the death of her daughter, organized a conspiracy against him).

It should be noted that the Greeks were not able to take advantage of the fruits of the long-awaited victory: around 1200 BC. Dorian tribes invaded the territory of Greece, destroying almost all the cities of the Peloponnese, among which were also Mycenae and Troy (the latter did not even have time to recover from the defeat and just experienced a strong earthquake). Residents of the cities did not leave their territory for some time, hiding in the mountains, but later were forced to leave their lands - some moved to the islands, others moved to Asia Minor.

What the city looked like

Most of the population of Mycenae lived outside the fortress, at the foot of the hill. Excavations carried out by archaeologists showed that before getting to the citadel, it was necessary to pass a cemetery located outside the city walls and residential buildings. Discovered buildings within the city showed that within its boundaries there was a palace, living quarters, temple buildings, warehouses and shaft tombs in which representatives of the ruling dynasties were buried.

Like most ancient cities, Mycenae was a well-fortified fortress and was built on a rocky hill about 280 meters high.

The city was surrounded by a fortress wall made of huge boulders, about 900 meters long, at least 6 meters wide, and in some places the height exceeded 7 meters, while the weight of some stone blocks exceeded 10 tons.

front gate

You could get to the fortress along a stone-paved road through the Lion Gate, the width and depth of which was about three meters.

The Lion Gate was built in Mycenae in the thirteenth century BC during the expansion of the fortress wall. They were erected from three huge, lightly processed limestone blocks, and were closed with two wooden doors (this is evidenced by the recesses located inside the side walls).

The upper horizontal lintel was wider than the pillars on which it was placed - this was done so that a triangular-shaped limestone pediment slab with two depicted lions could be installed on top. According to one hypothesis, the bas-relief crowning the Lion Gate is the coat of arms of the Atrid dynasty, which ruled the city at that time. According to another, it is dedicated to the goddess Potnia, who is the patroness of all animals.

These lions are turned towards each other and, standing on their hind legs, their front legs rest on two altars, between which a column is depicted. Unfortunately, the heads of the animals have not survived to this day, but after carefully studying the bas-relief, scientists came to the conclusion that they were made of a different material (possibly ivory) and most likely looked at the people who entered the citadel through the Lion Gate .

One of the purposes of this bas-relief was to disguise the resulting hole: The Lion Gate was built according to all the rules of its time, so all the blocks that needed to be placed above the lintel were installed with a bevel, which made it possible to transfer most of the load to the side walls between which they were installed Lion Gate.

As a result, an empty space was formed above the lintel, where a slab with a bas-relief was installed, which is considered the earliest monumental sculpture of the Mycenaean period (before Mycenae was discovered, only figurines 50 cm high were found).

Castle

Immediately after the Lion Gate, the road rises up, and then on the left side it ends at a staircase, along which one could climb to the palace, located on the top of the cliff (according to experts, the castle was built in the 14th century BC, and some found fragments in it refer to an earlier period).

The staircase ends in a rectangular courtyard, which could be reached from the throne room, passing the reception room and the portico with two columns. The throne room was rectangular in shape, its roof was supported by four columns, and the walls were decorated with frescoes depicting war chariots, horses and women.

The living quarters were located on the north side of the castle, many of them were two-story. Most likely, they could be accessed from the palace lobby. There was also a temple with round altars, near which a sculptural composition of two goddesses and a child was discovered made of ivory.

It is interesting that during excavations, clay tablets with inscriptions were found in the palace, which turned out to be financial reports of military expenses, as well as lists of people working for the Mycenaean rulers: it was a list of slaves, oarsmen, and artisans. This gives scientists reason to assume that Mycenae was a rather bureaucratic state.

Mine tombs

On the right side of the Lion Gate there were shaft tombs surrounded by a stone fence in which kings were buried. These were burial rooms carved into a rectangular rock, going to a depth of one and a half to five meters. Now at the site of ancient burials there are stone slabs placed on edge, marking their location. In these tombs, archaeologists found real treasures - coins, jewelry, rings, bowls, daggers, swords made of gold, silver and bronze.

Dome and chamber tombs

Before building the fortress, the Mycenaeans buried their rulers in so-called dome tombs, which were shaped like huge domes. In total, archaeologists discovered nine such tombs dating back to the XV-XIV centuries. BC. The tombs were underground structures with a high, tapering dome that rose above the ground. After the funeral, the tomb was closed, and the corridor leading to the burial pit was covered with earth.

One of the most famous tombs of this type is the tomb of Atreus (XIV century), which could be reached through a long corridor, the dromos. The burial pit was underground and had a height of 13 meters and a width of 14 meters (unfortunately, it was not possible to find out what exactly the king took with him to the afterlife, since the grave was plundered in ancient times). A nine-meter square slab was installed above the entrance to the burial room. How exactly the ancient masters were able to establish it, scientists still have not figured out.

Aristocrats and representatives of their families were buried in chamber tombs located nearby. These were basically family crypts carved into the mountainside, into which you can walk along the dromos.

How to get to Mycenae

Those who want to see one of the most famous monuments of the Bronze Age should take into account that it is located on the territory of the Mycenae archaeological park, and therefore entrance to its territory is paid (a ticket costs about 8 euros).

The best way to get to the city of Mycenae from the capital of Greece is by regular bus; the journey in this case will take about two hours, and the ticket will cost 12 euros. You can also use a car and a map - first drive to the city of Argo, passing the Corinth Canal, and from there go to Mycenes.

Mycenae is an ancient city mentioned in many Greek legends. It was the birthplace of the famous Agamemnon, who defeated the impregnable Troy. Numerous characters from the works of ancient poets and mythical heroes also lived here. The city was the largest cultural center. He even gave a name to an entire era, called the “Mycenaean civilization.” Mycenae was noted for its enormous wealth, traces of which were discovered during archaeological excavations several centuries later.

Mycenae in mythology

According to the myths of Ancient Greece, the city was built by the son of Danae and Zeus, Perseus. It was he who won the victory over the terrible Gorgon Medusa. To protect the city, the mighty Cyclopes erected a fortress wall 900 m long. It was made of huge stone slabs. Their height in some places reaches 7.5 m, and their weight is 10 tons. No man can do such a job.

The management of Mycenae passed from Perseus to his descendants, who maintained the prosperity of the city for several generations. Gradually, power passed to the Atreus dynasty, which did not diminish the influence of the city.

Scheme of the ancient city

Agamemnon, a worthy ruler and heir to the dynasty, managed to gather an army and defeated Troy in a long struggle. However, at this time tragic events occurred that had an impact on his entire life. They are described in myths and works of poets.

During the campaign, tailwinds stopped and further progress was in doubt. At the behest of the Oracle, Agamemnon sacrificed his own daughter to the gods. The sacrifice was not in vain, the gods helped Agamemnon win, but broke the hearts of the girl’s mother and the king’s wife. Returning home only 10 years later, the king found his wife Klymnestra heartbroken. She did not forgive her husband and, conspiring with her lover, killed him in the bathroom. Almost three millennia later, the Greeks continue to call female husband-killers after the ancient queen.

Mycenae in the history of Greece

Mycenae was the largest city of the entire Aegean coast and ancient Hellas. Unfortunately, very little documentary evidence from that period has survived. Most information has to be drawn from archaeological finds and poetic works of Homer, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and others.

Historians suggest that the city was founded in 2000 BC. During its history, it had to experience prosperity and decline twice. The first period falls on the pre-antique era and ends during the volcanic eruption on the island of Santorini.

In its second heyday, Mycenae became the largest city in modern Europe, which owned almost all the lands of the Peloponnese. The residence of the rulers was also located here. By the beginning of the Christian era, the role of Mycenae had significantly decreased, and complete desolation overtook it by the 2nd century. already AD.

Description and attractions

Thanks to the work of archaeologists of the 19th century. managed to discover an ancient city and study its history. A real revolution in the study of Mycenae was made by Heinrich Schliemann, a businessman and amateur archaeologist obsessed with the idea of finding the great Troy. During the excavations, many household items and clay tablets were discovered, as well as jewelry, including the golden mask of Agamemnon.

Inside the fortress walls, which in some places reached 17 m in thickness, galleries and casemates were built. From the base of the hill to the fortress there were numerous paths for the inhabitants of the surrounding area. Noble people traveled to the city along a paved road. The main gate of the city was the Lion Gate, made of three hewn blocks and decorated with figures of lionesses.

In the central part of Mycenae there were rooms for the king and queen (megarons). These are spacious halls with a throne for the ruler. Elements of beautiful frescoes and the remains of a hearth in the central part have been preserved to this day on the floor and walls. All important meetings and trials took place here. Among other rooms, the reddish floor of the bathroom, where the famous Agamemnon was killed, survived.

To store the ashes of crowned persons, tombs in the form of shafts were used. Of greatest interest is the treasury of Atreus, to which a 36 m long corridor leads. The treasury itself has a cylindrical shape and is covered with a huge monolithic slab. Scientists still do not understand how ancient builders were able to install a slab weighing more than 120 tons.

Not far from the tombs you can see the remains of other buildings, such as the houses of the Sphinx, an oil merchant or a wine merchant. There is also a museum on site, which displays valuable archaeological finds.

How to get there?

To get to the ruins of the ancient city, you should come to the small village of Mykines, which is located 90 km from Athens. Excursion buses regularly depart to Mycenae from the capital's KTEL Athenon terminal. You can visit the ruins on your own by purchasing a ticket for 8 euros, but an excursion in the company of an experienced guide who will share a lot of useful and interesting facts will leave more impressions.

Now, speaking about Ancient Greece, many of us immediately recall cities such as and, however, in historical science this is called the classical period of Greece, and there was a time many centuries before these policies, when Mycenae was considered the main city of Greece and this was three thousand years back.

According to legend, Mycenae was founded by the ancient hero Perseus, the winner of Medusa the Gorgon. However, the exact period of the city's founding is unknown. The first people began to settle in this place about 7,000 years ago, and the city itself appeared at least in 1500 BC, when the Mycenaean civilization began to spread throughout Greece and the surrounding islands.

Mycenae during this period is well known to us thanks to the exploits of Hercules, as well as the campaign of the Greek Army against Troy. The campaign was led by the king of Mycenae Agamemnon. However, after the end of the Trojan War in the 12th century BC, the ancient world fell into decay, and Mycenae weakened and almost completely disappeared. By the beginning of the Greco-Persian wars, when Athens and Sparta rose in Greece, Mycenae was finally abandoned.

The ruins of the city are located in Argolis in the Peloponnese not far from the modern capital of the region - Nafplion. One of the neighboring villages can be reached by bus, but the rest is a car trip. A ticket to Mycenae costs 12 euros, for students of Russian universities - 6 euros. The complex is open from 8 to 20.00, but this is most likely during the warm season

Ruins of Mycenae on the right along the course

The current state of Mycenae is the well-preserved outline of a fortress (Acropolis), which appeared at least in 1350 BC, in which a palace and a number of other buildings were located. Several tombs of giants, where kings and nobles were buried, and a small museum with finds from Mycenae. The inhabitants of the city lived mainly on the hillside near the walls of the fortress, but almost nothing remains of these buildings

City plan

City layout

To the right of the road you can see a small pile of stones - these are the remains of the so-called house with the Perseus fountain. This structure, built 3-2 millennia BC, was located above the sacred spring that supplied the city with water; it was erected either in honor of Perseus or the goddess Hera.

The famous Lion Gate of Mycenae - it was from them that archaeologists guessed what city they were excavating

Lions with two altars and a column are the coat of arms of the Atrides, an ancient dynasty of rulers of Mycenae. The heads of the lions, unfortunately, were not preserved; most likely they were made of a different material and looked at those entering the city. And the Lion Gate itself is known thanks to the Greek historian and geographer Pausanias, who made a description of the gate

The Mycenae fortress was surrounded by a powerful cyclopean wall of blocks, some of which weigh 100 tons, which is why such structures are called cyclopean, since it is believed that only the cyclopes could have built them. The wall was 9 meters long, 6 meters wide and up to 7 meters high

Just behind the gate you can see a small outbuilding that was used to lock the gate

Deadbolt niche

To the right of the entrance behind the gatehouse there was a granary

Big ramp

The first structure that visitors to the fortress encountered was one of the tombs of the giants - a large domed tomb, built before the fortress and included in its territory in the 13th century BC

The domed tomb is just one of the buildings on the lower terrace of the fortress. In addition, behind the wall there were residential buildings, a treasury, religious objects and some other buildings, but now it is difficult to recognize them

The bases of the storerooms where vessels with food were stored, including the famous vase depicting Mycenaean warriors

On the right there is a ramp going up the hill

In addition to the domed tomb and several buildings, on the lower terrace of the citadel there was a cult center, a processional road and altars and temples built in the 13th century BC were located here; these objects were destroyed a century later and replaced by ordinary houses

Ruins of the lower terrace, remains of religious buildings

After exploring the lower terrace, you need to climb the zigzag road up to the palace

The ascent starting from the Great Ramp, under which in the 13th century there were rooms where textiles were produced

There were other buildings at the top of the hill besides the palace.

The northern quarter of the fortress, where there were storerooms and several large houses. This part was abandoned before everyone else, as it was badly damaged by the earthquake

Place of the Propylon of the Palace - the gate of the palace complex with columns in the center

View from the palace

Temple ruins

Almond trees

And here is the palace itself, consisting of a large house - a megarun, as well as a courtyard. The ruler's throne was also located here. Archaeologists have proven that there were other buildings on this site 1000 years before the construction of the palace. In the 13th century, the palace was destroyed by fire, but in the 12th century it was restored, although it no longer reflected its former greatness

At the site of the palace, the space for two columns is clearly visible, as well as the entrance. The palace wasn't big

A road descends from the palace to the part of the hill opposite the entrance; in the northern part of the fortress there were a large number of buildings, but the purpose of most of them is unknown

Descent to the northeastern part of the fortress

One of the recognized objects in this part of the citadel is the artisans' quarter, among which is a house with columns (two columns in the courtyard). The purpose of the buildings was determined thanks to the blanks, gold leaf, unfinished ivory products, and unprocessed semi-precious stones found here. There were jugs in the house with columns. All houses built in the second half of the 13th century during the same period died in fire (along with the palace located nearby)

Crafts Quarter

House with columns

Northern storerooms and the road to the northern gate

In this part of the citadel there was a cistern with drinking water

Tank

There was also a tunnel to an underground source located at a depth of 18 meters, now it is blocked

There is no further passage

There was also a side, secondary entrance to Mycenae, built during the reconstruction of the fortress around 1250 BC

North Gate

Outside the walls of the fortress, as was said, most of the inhabitants of Mycenae lived. These stones are all that remains of the buildings outside the walls of the citadel, and these are not even houses, but a complex of 4 trading houses, in one they sold shields, in the second olive oil, in the third they found two plaques with sphinxes, the purpose of the fourth house is unknown