21st July 2014
 |
| Cyclopean walls & Lion Gate |
Discovering Mycenae, a Bronze Age civilization
dating 1550-1200BC, is another feather in the cap of Heinrich Schliemann (who
you’ll remember from Troy, of course).
Enthused by his rich findings on the basis of Homer’s epics, he also uncovered
the grave and fortress of Agamemnon in 1874 deep in the Greek Peloponnese.
 |
| Agamemnon's gold death mask |
Aside from wandering
the citadel with its famous Lion Gates, we were able to visit immense tholos
tombs, built like beehives to house the (important) dead. In one of these, Schliemann confirmed Homer’s
description of the city as “rich in gold”, uncovering the wealth of
Agamemnon.
We spent time in the nearby
museum which houses some of the most interesting finds from the site and
reveals how sophisticated this civilization was. Clay tablets inscribed with writing afford us
insight into life within the complex and decorated dwellings depict hunting and
battle scenes, religious activities and processions of court ladies.
Sadly textiles did not survive (hardly surprising!) but we are at
least able to glimpse their lives from remaining artefacts. Most engaging was
decorated pottery, ornamental utensils and ornate jewellery made from precious
stones and gold.
