Ancient MYCENAE

Mycenae location map

Reconstruction of the fortified acropolis of Mycenae (from the Northwest)
The palace is on the summit.




Reconstruction of the fortified acropolis of Mycenae - as it was in the time of the House of Atreus
and the 1250 BC Trojan War.

Plan of the acropolis of Mycenae

Aerial view

The famous Lion Gate - built about 1250 BC is about 3,250 years old and the relief carved
on the slab above the doorway is the oldest piece of monumental sculpture in the western world.
The lions are the emblem of Mycenae, and they are guarding the royal family, the royal dynasty of Mycenae. The altars from which the column rises indicates the divine right of the king.

Much evidence suggests that the king who ruled over Mycenae at the time the Lion Gate was constructed was ATREUS the father of AGAMEMNON but there is no doubt that the relief was in position when Agamemnon marched his troops through the gate to lead them against TROY.

The doorway's lintel (horizontal beam) is estimated to weigh 18 tons!

The Cyclopean walls date to about 1340 BC and are the oldest walls in the fortification
which was enlarged over time. The stone blocks are so large that later Greeks believed that giants (Cyclops) built the the walls. The walls are up to 14 metres (46 ft) thick and were unbreachable.

Reconstruction drawing of Grave Circle A.
This was excavated in 1874 by self-educated German millionaire Heinrich Schliemann - who had read
and was inspired by Homer's epics enough to search for and discover Troy - and then come to Mycenae
to search for further evidence to prove the factual basis for Homer's writings.




Aerial view of Grave Circle A.




The secret flight of 99 stairs leading to the underground cistern deep beneath the citadel. The cistern
was connected by pipes to a spring outside and protected the water supply in times of siege.




Grave stele from Grave Circle A - showing chariot race in lower section.

Thought by archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann to be the Golden death mask of Agamemnon - but
now dated to 300 years earlier.




Bronze dagger with gold & silver decoration from Grace Circle A.




Rock crystal vase in the shape of a duck - Grave Circle B.




Wall painting




The tholos tomb of Klytemnestra