The Mycenaean (Achaean) civilization (1600-1100 BC) is one of the oldest and most interesting civilizations that ever existed on the territory of modern Greece. This civilization had an undeniable influence on the subsequent development of ancient Greek culture and occupies a special place in literature and mythology, including in the writings of Homer.
One of the largest and most important centers of the Mycenaean civilization, of course, was ancient city Mycenae, from which, in fact, the culture subsequently got its name. The royal residence was also located here, as well as the tombs of the Mycenaean kings and their entourage. IN ancient Greek mythology Mycenae is well known as the kingdom of the famous Agamemnon, who led the legendary Trojan War.
The ruins of the once majestic Mycenae lie about 90 km southwest of Athens in the northeastern part of the Peloponnese near the small village of the same name and today are an important archaeological and historical monument.
The first excavations of ancient Mycenae were carried out as early as 1841 by the Greek archaeologist Kirriakis Pittakis. It was then that the famous Lion Gate was discovered - a monumental entrance to the acropolis, built from four huge monolithic limestone blocks and got its name because of the huge bas-relief depicting two lions above the entrance. The Lion Gate, as well as fragments of impressive fortress walls (their width in some places reached 17 m), erected in the so-called “cyclopean” masonry, are well preserved and even today, after more than three thousand years, they amaze with their monumentality.
The real sensation was made by archaeological work, which began already in the 1870s under the auspices of the Archaeological Society of Athens and the leadership of Heinrich Schliemann. During the excavations (both on the territory of the fortress and outside it), a number of burials in shaft and domed tombs with an incredible number of all kinds of funerary gifts were discovered, among which a huge number of various gold items were especially impressive. However, the architecture of the tombs was also of great interest, perfectly illustrating the skill of ancient architects. Perhaps the best preserved to this day are the tombs of Clytemnestra and Atreus. The tomb of the latter dates back to the 14th century BC. and is a two-chamber tomb with a dromos corridor (length - 36 m, width - 6 m) leading to the domed room (where the body of the king rested) with a small side chapel, in which a number of burials were also found. A huge 9-meter stone slab weighing about 120 tons was installed above the entrance to the tomb. How the ancient craftsmen managed to install it is still a mystery. The Tomb of Atreus, or the Treasury of Atreus, is the most grandiose domed structure of that time and one of the most important architectural monuments Mycenaean civilization.
In the following decades, archaeologists repeatedly returned to the excavations of the legendary Mycenae and discovered many more different structures, among which were the remains of the palace complex located on the top of the hill. Recently, the so-called “lower city” has also been excavated. A detailed study of the results of archaeological excavations made it possible to significantly lift the veil of secrecy over the mysterious Mycenaean civilization.
The famous "Mycenaean gold" (including the so-called golden "mask of Agamemnon", XVI century BC), as well as many other unique ancient artifacts found during the excavations of Mycenae, are now kept in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.
Mycenae is located on a hill between two mountain heights. The fortress of Agamemnon in Mycenae, better than any other place in Greece, deserves the title of legendary. The fortress was discovered in 1874 by the German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, who discovered Troy. Schliemann was driven by the simple-hearted belief that here he would find evidence confirming the veracity of the Homeric epic. Schliemann found brilliantly crafted gold items and unusual burials.
History and legends about Mycenae (Greece)
The Mycenaean-Argos region belongs to those areas of Greece that have been inhabited since ancient times, as evidenced by the Neolithic sites that appeared around 3000 BC. But three centuries of the end of the 2nd millennium BC are connected with the Mycenaean fortress and the dramatic events around it - the period from about 1550 to 1200 BC. It is called Mycenaean, but the term implies not only the surroundings of Mycenae, but the whole civilization bronze age, which flourished at that time on .
The myth set forth by Homer in the Iliad and the Odyssey and by Aeschylus in the Oresteum tells the story of Mycenae. Mycenae was founded by Perseus, who killed the medusa Gorgon, but then the city fell into the blood-stained hands of Atreus. Fiesta seduced the wife of his brother Atreus, and in order to take revenge, he killed the sons of Fiesta and fed them to their own father. No wonder such behavior angered the gods. Fiesta's daughter Pelopia gave birth to a son from her father, who was named Aegisthus, who, having matured, killed Atreus and returned the throne to Fiesta.
The curse of the gods fell on the son of Atreus Agamemnon. Returning to Mycenae from the Trojan War, during which he commanded the Greek troops for this post of commander-in-chief, he, going to war, sacrificed his daughter Iphigenia - Agamemnon was killed by his own wife Clytemnestra and her lover - the same Egistus who killed his father Atreus. The tragic circle was completed by the son of Agamemnon Orestes, who killed his own mother, that is, Clytemnestra, after which he was pursued by Erinyes - until Athena begged forgiveness from Erinyes for the ill-fated avenger and removed the curse that weighed on him from the Atrid family.
What archaeologists have discovered in Mycenae fits perfectly into the legend - at least if we understand it as a poetic story about the history of inter-dynastic strife or - which most scientists are inclined to - the merger of several stories that arose at different times and tell about different times. The building that Schliemann found has features that suggest that it was in use from about 1950 BC, but that it had two periods of apparent desolation: around 1200 and again around 1100 BC, after which the city, whose prosperity, it would seem, nothing interfered with, was completely abandoned by the inhabitants.
It is not yet possible to explain all these events, especially since the well-known theory of the “Dorian invasion” cannot be correct, but it seems that some large-scale war between rival kingdoms could contribute to the decline of Mycenae. And it also looks like high development civilization by the 13th century BC only intensified the struggle, and the excavations of Troy confirmed the story of the ruin of this city in 1240 BC by an army, the leader of which could very well be the king from Mycenae. It was during this period that powerful new fortifications were built in the Mycenaean fortress.
You can enter the Mycenaean fortress (summer: Monday 12:30 19:30, Tuesday-Sunday 8:00-19:30; winter: 8:30-17:00; 8 €) through the famous Lion Gate. Big interest cause grandiose walls, the thickness of which in some places reaches 6 meters and they are built of huge stones. The walls are called "cyclopean": the Hellenes believed that only some legendary creatures, for example, cyclops, could build something like this, not mortal people. Above the gate is a carved relief of fine workmanship.
Mycenae in this period were at the height of their power - the city headed the confederation of cities of Argolis (Assina, Hermione - the current Ermioni), dominated the Peloponnese and imperiously extended its influence to other cities located on the coast of the Aegean Sea. The pillar, supported by two mighty lions, seems to have been a kind of emblem of the Mycenaean royal house - in any case, a similar image adorns the stele found in the fortress.
Inside the walls on the right, Schliemann, as a result of excavations, discovered burials - the Funeral Circle. It is believed that here are the remains of Agamemnon and his associates, who were killed after they returned victoriously from Troy. Opening one of the graves, Schliemann discovered in it a very carefully executed magnificent golden mask and decided that it was Agamemnon: “I looked at the face of Agamemnon!” - the German exclaimed in an enthusiastic telegram sent by him to the king.
Indeed, for some time the truth of the Homeric stories seemed undeniable and irrefutable. But in reality, it turned out that the burials took place at least three centuries before the Trojan War, although if Homer combined in his epic several different legends that appeared at different times, there is no reason to reject the possibility of a connection between the mask and the Mycenaean king, who could also be called Agamemnon. Treasures (they are now in) are undoubtedly royal - few of them archaeological finds comparable to them in their wealth and splendor.
Schliemann considered the spacious South House behind the grave circle the palace of Agamemnon. However, the Royal Palace was rather a more magnificent building, discovered later during excavations near the top of the acropolis. In the 13th century BC, it was rebuilt, and it turned out to be an impressive, beautifully finished architectural complex: although the ruins only reach the ground level, the boundaries between the individual rooms are easily guessed.
Like all Mycenaean palaces, this one was built around a large courtyard: a staircase on the south side must have led through some kind of antechamber to a large rectangular throne room. In the east, through a double portico, large reception rooms entered the megaron with a traditional round hearth in the middle. It is believed that small compartments in the northern part of the palace served as royal chambers, and the remains of an alabaster bath found in one of these rooms lead to ominous suspicions - was Agamemnon killed here?
A walk along the earthen ramparts plunges you into dreams about the events of bygone days. The secret cistern, which was buried there around 1225 BC, is a reminder of the life the Mycenaeans led. Perhaps she helped the defenders of the fortress to withstand the siege from the outside. The steps lead down to an underground spring - and you can go all the way down this path, just take a torch or, better, a flashlight, and put on your boots: water drips on the last turn of the winding passage. Nearby is the House of Columns, the foundation of the stairs that once led upstairs has been preserved.
Only the Mycenaean ruling elite ("elite") could settle in the fortress itself. Therefore, the main part of the city is located below, outside the defensive walls, along the road, the remains of houses belonging to oil and wine merchants were found. Among the finds are tablets with linear writing, which we managed to read: the tablets contain recipes for flavoring olive oil with spices.
They also found a lot of pottery, appearance and the abundance of which makes it possible to think that the ancient Mycenaeans had extensive trade relations. The found tablets once again testify to the high level of the Mycenaean civilization: judging by the deciphered texts, not only government scribes who worked in royal palaces had writing skills, as was previously thought. Perhaps there was a prosperous wealthy city near the fortress.
Next to the ruins of the dwellings, another Grave Circle was discovered, the construction of which dates back to about 1650 BC. Perhaps these burials were left by the former dynasty, which competed with the kings of the Burial Circle. Nearby are two tholos – that was the name of the round burial chambers. Schliemann, who discovered the tholoses, "identified" them as the graves of Aegisthus and Clytemnestra. The first, the one closer to the Lion's Gate, was built around 1500 BC and is now collapsing - that's why it was fenced with ropes. The second one is two hundred years younger, in other words, it refers to the times of the Trojan War, and so far they are allowed to visit it.
Four hundred meters down the road from the fortress is a tholos, called the Treasury of Atreus, or more officially called the "Tomb of Agamemnon" (same schedule as at the fortress; admission fee is included in the price of a ticket to the fortress). Under this dome, apparently, the last Mycenaean kings were actually buried.
But no matter why and for whomever this beehive-like structure was erected, it undoubtedly remains an outstanding monument of the Mycenaean era. Entering the tholos through a majestic fifteen-meter tunnel, you will find yourself in a passage that is too narrow, the so-called dromos.
The Treasury of Atreus is a monumental building of exceptionally perfect technology. The inner walls and dromos are lined with smooth, beautifully finished slabs. The lintels of the inner door are covered with reliefs and bronze ornaments.
From the modern village of Mykines, it is only 2 kilometers to the Corinth-Argos motorway junction and to the railway station in Fichti, but not all trains of the Argos route stop at Fichti station.
Buses traveling from Argos or usually drop off passengers who want to get to Mycenae at Fichti (bus tickets are sold in a cafe next to the fork), and not in the village of Mykines.
She and ancient Mycenae are served by overcrowded buses traveling from Nafplion via Argos. Ancient Mycenae from the center of Mykines is two kilometers uphill, in the season you will come across a couple of mobile eateries and mobile mail in a van.
- Accommodation and meals in the village of Mykines (Greece)
If you do not have your own car, then you might want to stay in the village: Mykines is filled with tourists during the day, but when the working day ends and the buses with travelers leave, silence immediately reigns. On the only street of the village there are hotels named after Atrids, but you can also rent a room. Both Mykinesian campsites (there are two of them) are within easy reach from the center, although they are located on the outskirts of the village.
Both work all year round, although Camping Mykines is smaller but closer to the archaeological site than Camping Atreus. All of the hotels listed below have restaurants that cater mainly to groups of tourists who want lunch, so don't expect anything from these establishments. If you want to eat, go to Electro or King Menelaos, or even just Menelaos - the whole trio settled down on the main street.
1). Belle Helene Hotel- A kind of hotel with a good restaurant - in the same house where Schliemann lived when the excavations were underway at Mycenae. In the guest book you will see autographs by Virginia Woolf, Henry Moore, Sartre and Debussy;
2). Rooms Dassis Hotel– Pleasant, good environment; the hotel and travel agency is owned by Marion Dassis, a Canadian married to a member of the local clan. The hotel is good for groups, students and families;
3). Hotel Klytemnestra- Clean, pleasant, modern rooms, run by Greek - or Australian - owners;
4). Hotel Le Petite Planete– Great views and swimming pool. Operates from April to October. Location: near ancient Mycenae.
Heraion of Argos and ancient Midea in Greece
The little-visited Heraion of Argos (daily 8:30-15:00; free) during Mycenaean and classical times was considered an important sanctuary dedicated to Hera. Tradition says that it was here that Agamemnon was chosen as the leader of the troops during the Trojan War. From Mycenae to the sanctuary 7 kilometers to the south, the road follows the new highway to Tiryns, along the way you can admire magnificent views of the plains stretching to Argos.
Near the temple you will see several Mycenaean burials, but the main thing - the temple complex (more precisely, its remains) over interconnected terraces - was built in the 5th century BC. The Roman baths (terms) and the palestra also survived, and the central foundation of the temple is the same size as that of the Athenian Parthenon.
If you are by car and are driving along the Mycenae-Nafplio road, then Heraion is a great excuse to digress, and if you have already explored Mycenae, then you can take a walk to this temple - from the village of Mykines you will walk in about an hour, just find the old path leading from Mykines to the southeast first - it runs parallel to the road to Ayia Triada. From the village of Khonikas, you can take a bus to Argos, but it is still better to overcome 5 kilometers and get to the village of Ayia Triada, which is connected with Nafplio, and from where the transport runs a little more often.
Ancient Midea is located between the villages of Midea and Dendra. In the Mycenaean era, ancient Midea was the third fortified palace along with Mycenae and Tiryns. Excavations unearthed fortifications on an area of about 2.5 hectares, as well as the remains of a girl - she probably died during an earthquake that happened in the 13th century BC - and many handicraft tools, but the most famous find, the so-called "cuirass from Dendra" (bronze armor) - is now in the Nafplion Museum.
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Mycenae city in Greece
Mycenae is an ancient city of Greece, which was one of the centers of the first Greek (Mycenaean) civilization and culture. Today Mycenae are ruins 90 km southwest of Athens.
Almost everyone knows about Mycenae, but those who are especially interested in the history, archeology or literature of antiquity. So, for example, King Agamemnon lived in Mycenae, under whose leadership the Achaeans went to Troy. One of the most famous archaeological finds, a golden mask, was also discovered here.
Transport in Mycenae
You can get to Mycenae by bus from Athens, Araxos or Kalamata, where many charter flights arrive in summer from different countries. From the Athens bus terminal A, buses to Mycenae run from 06.00 to 22.00, the journey takes 2.5 hours, the fare costs 12 euros.
Since Mycenae is in ruins, there is no transport as such. You can come to Mycenae in a rented car or book a tour and go to the city by bus with a guide.
Mycenae on the map of Greece
As you can see on the map, Mycenae are located on the Peloponnese peninsula, southwest of Athens. To get a better view of the location of the city, you can zoom in or out on the map.
Mycenae is located 50 km from the resort of Loutraki, so the weather there is similar. You can see more detailed information in the special section Weather in Greece on our website.
Sightseeing in Mycenae: things to see
The main attractions of Mycenae are the fortress walls on the hill and the Lion's Gate. The latter represent the entrance to the acropolis. As for the walls, they are striking in their size. In some places, the thickness of the walls reached 17 meters, so galleries and casemates were even arranged inside the walls. The walls themselves are built in such a way that the city is protected from all sides from any attacks. Simple people climbed the hill along tangled paths, but they rarely did it: the walls seemed to them the abode of the gods. But the aristocrats got to the fortress along a stone-paved road that passed just through the Lion's Gate.
In the center of Mycenae, the megarons of the king and queen have been preserved. Judging by their location, architecture and decoration, they belong to XIV century BC, which has no analogues in the world.
It is also worth visiting the Archaeological Museum in Mycenae, where you can get to know the history and culture of Mycenae and learn a lot of interesting things about the objects found here.
Mycenae beaches
Mycenae themselves are not located on the coast, the nearest beaches are in Corinthia (they are well equipped there, the tourist infrastructure is well developed; turquoise water goes well with olive trees and pine trees that grow on the coast), in Ilia (not only beautiful public, but also wild sandy beaches), Laconia (there are many cozy attractive bays) and Messinia (indented and very picturesque coastline attracts many tourists).
Everyone who is interested in history has heard about Mycenae ancient world, archeology or ancient literature. King Agamemnon lived here, the leader of the Achaean campaign against Troy, the Argolid valley, in which Mycenae are located, was sung in Greek myths. The city was so important in the life of the region that the first Greek civilization was called Mycenaean. It was in the local acropolis that Heinrich Schliemann discovered the golden mask, one of the most famous archaeological finds in the world.
A bit of history
Myths say that the city was built by Perseus, and fortifications made of huge stone slabs were erected by huge one-eyed monsters - Cyclopes, because it was believed that an ordinary person could not build something so grandiose.
The geographical position of Mycenae and its achievements have caused the city to become the scene of a struggle for power more than once. The cruelty of the conquerors and their sophisticated methods of struggle are reflected in legends and myths, which are intricately intertwined with real ones. historical events. For a long time it was believed that Troy and Mycenae were only the fantasy of ancient authors, but the enthusiasm of one person changed the ideas of all scientists about the ancient world.
Representatives of the royal dynasty found eternal rest in mine tombs. One of the most famous is the treasury of Atreus, it is a corridor about 36 meters long, which ends with a domed room. Above the whole structure there is a giant stone slab, the weight of which is about 120 tons, and the riddle has not yet been solved how the ancient architects managed to raise it to such a significant height.
Entertainment and attractions of Mycenae
The fortress wall has a length of about 900 meters, and its monumentality is amazing: some blocks weigh more than 10 tons, and in some places the height of the wall reached 7.5 meters. The thickness of the walls sometimes reached 17 meters, which made it possible to arrange casemates and vaulted galleries inside the wall. From a military point of view, the design of the wall was well thought out: all sections were built in such a way as to protect the city from any attacks as much as possible. From the point of view of the common people who lived in the vicinity of Mycenae, the fortress was a kind of abode of the gods; the hill where she stood was climbed only by special occasions, using for this numerous intricate paths.
For aristocrats, a road paved with stone led to the fortress, it approached the Lion Gate, which has survived to this day, through which the path to the royal palace passed. This gate is a structure of three huge, slightly processed stones, above which two heraldic lionesses are carved from stone, personifying the power of the Atrid dynasty.
From the point of view of specialists in heraldry, this composition has no analogues in the world.
In the center of Mycenae are the megarons of the king and queen. In the megaron of the king, a balcony, a vestibule and a throne room are clearly visible. The floor and walls of the rooms are decorated with frescoes, each of the elements of the throne room has an almost sacred meaning. According to experts, these structures date back to the 14th century BC. e., and some elements - to more early period. These are the only such ancient monumental buildings in the world.
- Where to stay: For those who wish to combine beach holiday with excursions, it makes sense to choose one of the resorts of picturesque Messinia - for example, the popular Kalamata, noisy Loutraki, calm Pylos or the elite Costa Navarino. If you can’t imagine life without antiquity, Corinth’s “excursion” hotels are at your service. There are almost no hotels in Kalambaka and Epidaurus, only a few basic establishments “for their own”.
- What to see: The expanses of the Peloponnese peninsula, generous with archaeological treasures - the monasteries of Meteora soaring on the rocks (and the starting point for them - a modest village
The Achaean Greeks built their settlements on high hills, surrounding them with a ring of powerful fortress walls - their construction became an urgent need. Mycenae is such an example. Mycenae- This is an ancient city-fortress, which was surrounded by fortifications made of monolithic blocks. The walls of Mycenae and Tiryns, which have survived to this day, are impressive, built dry from huge blocks of stone, so tightly fitted one to the other that the impression of a monolith was created. Subsequently, such settlements were called by the Greeks " acropolis"- "upper city", The space between the blocks was filled with soil and clay. This is the so-called "cyclopean masonry". The length of the wall of Mycenae is 900 m, the thickness is from 6 to 10 m. Pantries were arranged inside the walls for storing food and weapons.
The fortress has two gates - at the northwestern corner there is the main gate, known as the Lion's, while on the north side there are gates of secondary importance. The main road led to the Lion's Gate. Famous " "- crowns a monolithic pediment depicting two lions leaning on a small double altar.
Lions, whose heads have not been preserved, guard the column - a symbol of the palace of the Mycenaean rulers. The ceiling and lintel weigh more than 20 tons. The width of the gate is 3 meters. Previously, the gates were closed with wooden shutters. We climb up to them and take pictures in their opening as a keepsake. A good draft blows under the gate. From the gate, the road rises to the hill where the royal palace was located, the plan of which was distinguished by simplicity and rigor of architectural design. We rise even higher. Inside the fortress wall, to the right of the main entrance, there is a famous burial, which is surrounded by circular fences, forming the famous grave circles.
Archaeological excavations are being carried out here, and it is impossible to go there, we can only look at them from above. One of his most outstanding finds in the stone circle were the royal burials of 1600-1500. BC, that is, related to the early period of the Mycenaean culture. We climb up the slope of the mountain. The sun is already hot here, +24 C’ in the shade. Climbing is not easy.
The acropolis stands on a triangular-shaped hill, whose height is about 40 m. At the top of the acropolis are the ruins royal palace 13th c. BC. This place is fenced off. In the center of the palace there was once a front rectangular room (12 X 13 m) with a hearth in the middle - megaron.
Here at the top you can sit on the rocks and relax after a steep climb. Then we go around the rock on the other side, and go down the ring road. The northeast ledge was erected in the 12th century BC. e. in order to provide it with water, for which an underground cistern was built in a natural recess of the rock. Terracotta plumbing was connected to the cistern. Secret reservoirs provided the palace with a constant supply of water, even in the event of a siege. We found the entrance to the cistern, which is a hidden stepped descent that runs through the entire thickness of the fortress wall, and beyond.
It was already dark here, and you can use the light of your phone. It's scary to go far.
Down under the slope of the mountain there is an archaeological museum. Under glass exposition of ancient objects: combs, beads, pottery.
Ancestral crypt of King Agamemnon
Starting around 1500 B.C. The king-generals of Mycenae and other Greek city-states were buried in tombs known as tholos. The tholos excavated in Mycenae was called the treasury of Artey, since at first it was decided that this was the burial place of Agamemnon's father, Artey.
We pass through a narrow passage into the tomb under the barrow. The body of the king, along with his weapons and treasures, was placed in a crypt resembling a beehive in shape. This is a huge domed hall 12 meters high and 14 meters wide, built without the use of masonry mortar in 1250 BC. The tomb was built in the 13th century BC. and consists of a long (36 meters) corridor, a round room, covered with a dome. Once its walls were decorated with bronze gilded rosettes. One king owned up to 400 bronze casters and many hundreds of slaves. The hall is empty, there is nothing here. The acoustics here are amazing. No traces of burial were found in the tomb; it may have been plundered in earlier times.
This is the golden funeral mask of one of the first Mycenaean kings.
At first it was believed that it was made from the legendary king Agamemnon, who fought against Troy in the famous Trojan War, but now it is known that the mask belongs to a much more ancient period. But until now, it is associated with the famous Mycenaean king and is called “Mask of Agamemnon”. The mask is in the museum, but of course it is a copy. The mask depicts the face of an elderly bearded man with a thin nose, close-set eyes and a large mouth. The face corresponds to the Indo-European face type. The tips of the mustache are turned up in the shape of a crescent, sideburns are visible near the ears. The mask has holes for the thread with which it was attached to the face of the deceased.