1. Key Sites
Basic Introduction
Mycenaean Age
o Named after the city of Mycenae, the Mycenaean Age describes the time when many
separate independent cities in the Greek world were powerful.
o Lasted from approximately 1600BC to 1150BC.
o Mycenaean civilisation is very similar to Minoan civilisation which just predated it.
o Has been divided into three phases by historians:
The Early Period (1600-1400BC)
In which burials were made in shaft graves.
The Palatial Period (1400-1250BC)
When the great palaces are thought to have reached their peak.
The Later Period (1250-1150BC)
When the palaces seem to have come under more attacks before being abandoned
or destroyed suddenly.
Mycenae
Basic Facts
o The most famous city of the Mycenaean Age.
o In mythology it was the home of King Agamemnon.
o Mycenae was a citadel – an ancient city built on higher ground, and defended by walls.
o Believed to have been first founded by Perseus who received help in building the city from
Cyclopes.
Location
o Built on a hill 40-50m above the plain that it surrounds.
o Has a perimeter of 900m.
o Hills to the north and south and ravines surround the plains on three sides.
o A spring less than 400m away supplied water throughout the year.
Key Features
o The palace of Mycenae is situated at the very top of the hill.
o 2 Sally-ports (one in the north and one at the south) which were gaps in the outer walls
where defenders could rush out to surprise attackers.
Although, the south sally-port was visible from a distance and
therefore might not have been very effective – especially as the
passage is only 2.5m wide.
The ports use a technique known as corbelling.
o There was an underground cistern itself – 18m below ground level
and meant that the Mycenaeans had access to water even when under
siege. – Prescribed Source
o Cyclopean Walls
The best preserved section of the wall at the north of the city
ranges from 5.5-7.5m thick.
It is estimated that the walls reached around 12m in height.
(The section of wall surrounding the Lion Gate is 8.25m
high.
Each block weighed 2 tonnes.
o The Lion Gate – Prescribed Source
The most famous feature of Mycenae.
, The main entrance to the city, built in the 13thCentury BC.
The area surrounding the gate was made of a rock called conglomerate which would
provide an effective contrast with the limestone in the gate as it is shinier and smoother.
The Lion Gate has a relief of 2 lions (whose heads haven’t survived.) They have their
paws on altars and the columns above the altars are typically Minoan (thicker at the top
than at the bottom).
Solemn and majestic air – showing the sides of the lions but with forward facing heads.
The Lion Gate was well defended as defenders could hurl missiles down on enemies.
o Grave Circle A – Prescribed Source
Oldest tombs are Grave Circle B but Grave Circle A
was discovered first (1876).
Situated in the south west area of the city.
28m in diameter and originally surrounded by a low
wall.
Thought to have been a royal burial site since the 16 th
century BC.
6 shaft graves with a total of 9 women, 8 men, and 2
children buried at the bottom along with a vast quantity of precious objects (e.g. 14kg
worth of gold objects).
Tiryns
Basic Facts
o Supposedly founded by Proitus – the brother of Perseus’ grandfather.
o Thought to be the birthplace of Heracles. Eurystheus was king of Tiryns.
o Built approximately 15th-13th century BC.
o Comparatively small – 300m long and 45-100m wide.
Location
o Located about 10 miles from Mycenae. East Peloponnese, Greece.
o Hill – 18km above surrounding land, 1km away from coastline.
Key Features
o Cyclopean Walls
It had strong defensive walls (up to 8m high and 13m thick).
Fortifications enlarged in the 13th century BC – suggests conflict.
The main approach to the walls was on the east side up a ramp, called the Cyclopean
Ramp.
“Surrounded by walls” (Iliad Book 2.)
o Famous for its palace, throne room, and a series of arched galleries – Prescribed Source.
The Palace was protected by its own defensive walls.
The central hearth was surrounded by 4 wooden pillars.
The walls of the megaron were painted with frescoes.
Around the megaron was a series of apartments and
colonnades for the rulers.
The galleries used corbelling to create vaulted roofs.
o The gate was 3x3m so approximately the same as the Mycenaean
Lion Gate.
o The western wall is curved (physics- disperse the energy of
missiles/catapults)
o Had a 2-gate system so attackers could be let in and trapped without actually being let into
the city.
Basic Introduction
Mycenaean Age
o Named after the city of Mycenae, the Mycenaean Age describes the time when many
separate independent cities in the Greek world were powerful.
o Lasted from approximately 1600BC to 1150BC.
o Mycenaean civilisation is very similar to Minoan civilisation which just predated it.
o Has been divided into three phases by historians:
The Early Period (1600-1400BC)
In which burials were made in shaft graves.
The Palatial Period (1400-1250BC)
When the great palaces are thought to have reached their peak.
The Later Period (1250-1150BC)
When the palaces seem to have come under more attacks before being abandoned
or destroyed suddenly.
Mycenae
Basic Facts
o The most famous city of the Mycenaean Age.
o In mythology it was the home of King Agamemnon.
o Mycenae was a citadel – an ancient city built on higher ground, and defended by walls.
o Believed to have been first founded by Perseus who received help in building the city from
Cyclopes.
Location
o Built on a hill 40-50m above the plain that it surrounds.
o Has a perimeter of 900m.
o Hills to the north and south and ravines surround the plains on three sides.
o A spring less than 400m away supplied water throughout the year.
Key Features
o The palace of Mycenae is situated at the very top of the hill.
o 2 Sally-ports (one in the north and one at the south) which were gaps in the outer walls
where defenders could rush out to surprise attackers.
Although, the south sally-port was visible from a distance and
therefore might not have been very effective – especially as the
passage is only 2.5m wide.
The ports use a technique known as corbelling.
o There was an underground cistern itself – 18m below ground level
and meant that the Mycenaeans had access to water even when under
siege. – Prescribed Source
o Cyclopean Walls
The best preserved section of the wall at the north of the city
ranges from 5.5-7.5m thick.
It is estimated that the walls reached around 12m in height.
(The section of wall surrounding the Lion Gate is 8.25m
high.
Each block weighed 2 tonnes.
o The Lion Gate – Prescribed Source
The most famous feature of Mycenae.
, The main entrance to the city, built in the 13thCentury BC.
The area surrounding the gate was made of a rock called conglomerate which would
provide an effective contrast with the limestone in the gate as it is shinier and smoother.
The Lion Gate has a relief of 2 lions (whose heads haven’t survived.) They have their
paws on altars and the columns above the altars are typically Minoan (thicker at the top
than at the bottom).
Solemn and majestic air – showing the sides of the lions but with forward facing heads.
The Lion Gate was well defended as defenders could hurl missiles down on enemies.
o Grave Circle A – Prescribed Source
Oldest tombs are Grave Circle B but Grave Circle A
was discovered first (1876).
Situated in the south west area of the city.
28m in diameter and originally surrounded by a low
wall.
Thought to have been a royal burial site since the 16 th
century BC.
6 shaft graves with a total of 9 women, 8 men, and 2
children buried at the bottom along with a vast quantity of precious objects (e.g. 14kg
worth of gold objects).
Tiryns
Basic Facts
o Supposedly founded by Proitus – the brother of Perseus’ grandfather.
o Thought to be the birthplace of Heracles. Eurystheus was king of Tiryns.
o Built approximately 15th-13th century BC.
o Comparatively small – 300m long and 45-100m wide.
Location
o Located about 10 miles from Mycenae. East Peloponnese, Greece.
o Hill – 18km above surrounding land, 1km away from coastline.
Key Features
o Cyclopean Walls
It had strong defensive walls (up to 8m high and 13m thick).
Fortifications enlarged in the 13th century BC – suggests conflict.
The main approach to the walls was on the east side up a ramp, called the Cyclopean
Ramp.
“Surrounded by walls” (Iliad Book 2.)
o Famous for its palace, throne room, and a series of arched galleries – Prescribed Source.
The Palace was protected by its own defensive walls.
The central hearth was surrounded by 4 wooden pillars.
The walls of the megaron were painted with frescoes.
Around the megaron was a series of apartments and
colonnades for the rulers.
The galleries used corbelling to create vaulted roofs.
o The gate was 3x3m so approximately the same as the Mycenaean
Lion Gate.
o The western wall is curved (physics- disperse the energy of
missiles/catapults)
o Had a 2-gate system so attackers could be let in and trapped without actually being let into
the city.
