The Mycenaean Ruins Hint at Life in Early Greece
Structure of a Bronze Age Palace and Layout of the Community
May 29, 2009
The Mycenaean civilization developed during the late phase of the Bronze Age, wresting power from the Minoans of Crete. According to legend, Mycenae was founded by Perseus, the son of Zeus and Danae, who employed the mythical giants, the Cyclops from Asia, to build the fortification walls which bear their name.
Location of Mycenae
The ancient city dominated the plains of Argo and sat between the hills of Profitis Ilias and Sara. It was built in three phases, 1350, 1250 and 1225 BC with the fortified area covering a triangular expanse of 7.4 acres. The compound itself was the seat of administration and the subjects lived in small settlements outside the enormous walls. Today, the nearest modern city is Mikinai.
Mycenae’s Entrance
A wooden double door secured with a sliding bar allowed entrance to the citadel. The surround was built with a conglomerate or almond stone that has withstood the test of time. The two lions sitting above the threshold is the oldest monumental relief in Europe, dating back to circa 1240 BC but the heads, possibly made of steatite have disappeared over time.
Grave Circle A
Just past the entrance lies Grave Circle A, part of an extensive cemetery where royals were buried during the 16th century BC. Initially, the grave Circle A was outside the walls, but with the expansion of the westward wall, it was included within the compound and enhanced with a circular enclosure.
Six shaft graves marked in stone stelai were discovered; five were excavated by H. Schliemann in 1876 and the last by P. Stamatakis in 1877. The luxurious grave goods that were found are set on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.
The Palace at Mycenae
The citadel is a typical and impressive example of Mycenaean architecture. The palace itself was comprised of several units, the main ones being the central megaron unit, the court from which the megaron unit is entered, the secondary throne room.
The megaron was the political, administrative, military and economic hub of Mycenae. The space was divided into three parts with a porch, vestibule and throne room. A large, circular hearth was built at the center of the throne room and surrounded by four columns set in a square. The throne itself sat halfway down the south facing wall.
The court lay directly outside the megaron unit and is accessed by either a corridor or a grand staircase. The staircase is particular to the construction at Mycenae and not at other palaces of the time.
On the other side of the court lay the secondary throne room or the Queen’s megaron. It is a one room unit with the throne placed against the northern wall.
The End of Mycenae
It is not known what brought about the end of the Mycenaean people but it is evident that the palace was burned at least at two different times. It had been rebuilt but it never returned to its former glory. Many towns were abandoned, the population in Greece sharply declined and the once beautiful and powerful kingdoms were replaced by poor agricultural villages.
Source:
Ruins at Mycenae, Greece 2009
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