C. 1600 – 1100 BC

Hittite Empire

Egyptian Empire

Minoan Civilization

Mycenaean Civilization

Troy

Thera

Μυκῆναι

MYCENAE

Citadel of Mycenae – from east

View from Mycenae

Plain of ArgosTip of Argos Bay

The ACROPOLIS, or fortified center, of MYCENAE

Wall constructed by the Cyclops?

Cyclopean walls

Cyclopean walls

Cyclopean finger-food

Defensive wall at Tiryns

The Citadel at Tiryns

Approach to Lion Gate

Descent to the Lion Gate

Wall at Mycenae

20 ft. thick!

Water Stair in east part of citadel

Water not so easily obtained as at Babylon

Tunnel to subterranean fountain

Carved out of solid rock!

Megaron at Mycenae

COLUMNS

Nestor’s Megaron at Pylos

HEARTH

INSIDE THE MEGARON

Grave Circle

THE THOLOS c.1600-1300 BC

Entrance to Tholos Tomb

Entrance to Treasury of Atreus

Treasury of Atreus

Domed ceiling at Tomb (‘Treasury’) of Atreus

Treasury of Minyas,at Orchomenos

Minoan craftsmanship – found in Mycenaean gravec. 16th century

Gold Cup – 16th century BC

Beside these she set a cup,a magnificent work Nestor had brought from home,studded with gold. There were four handles on it,around each one a pair of golden doves was feeding.Below were two supports. When that cup was full,another man could hardly lift it from the table,but, old as he was, Nestor picked it up with ease. - The Iliad

Found in Tholos tomb – Mycenaean – c. 1500-1450

Found in Tholos tomb – Mycenaean – c. 1500-1450

“Mask of Agamemnon” – 16th century BC

Tiara16th Century BC

Mycenaean Kingship – one of the earliest crowns

Bronze dagger inlaid with gold – shows hunting scenes

Signet Ring from Tirynsc. 15th century BC

We should all have a group of dancing goats who worship us!

Bronze Armor c.1500 BC

The Dendra Armor: bronze plates with boar’s tusk helmet

A helmet made of rows of boars tusks sewn into a leather base

Mycenaean Greece.

c. 1400 BCE

Dagger blade, c. 1500

Funerary Stele at Mycenae

Mycenaean Chariot – symbol of social status

MYCENAEAN CIV.

• Mainland Greece• Warrior mentality• Fortified cities

– Mycenae– Tiryns– Pylos– Thebes– Athens

Differences from Minoans

• Palace centers smaller and on hills• Male gods• Gold-hoarding• Fortified by thick walls (Cyclopean) – war chiefs

(wanax)• Same wall paintings – different themes• Megaron the focus of palace life

– Rectangular hall with porch

– Essential the plan of later Greek temples

Greeks and Trojans fight at Troy c. 1180.

Pine cones & pine pitch as "land mines"

Wall-Paintings from “Cult Center”

More dancing

goats

The Calamities of 1200-1000 B.C. http://worth.sohonet.com/browse/music?object=item[book.item_detail]&content_id=5580