Summary Key Sites, Life in the Mycenaean Age, Decorative Arts Notes

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.