Mycenae - Revision history

Irlandos at 13:12, January 17, 2006

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Irlandos at 13:11, January 17, 2006

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Irlandos at 14:52, November 23, 2005

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'''Mycenae''' ([[ancient Greek|ancient]] [[Greek language|Greek]]: '''Μυκήναι''', in [[modern Greek|modern]] [[Greek language|Greek]]: '''Μυκήνες'''), is an [[archaeology|archaeological site]] in [[Greece]], located about 90km south-west of [[Athens]], in the north-eastern [[Peloponnese]]. In the second millennium BC Mycenae was one of the major centres of Greek civilization, a military stronghold which dominated much of southern Greece. The period of [[History of Greece|Greek history]] from about [[1600 BC]] to about [[1100 BC]] is called '''[[Mycenaean period|Mycenaean]]''' in recognition of Mycenae's leading position.

Although the citadel was built by the Greeks, the name is not thought to be Greek, but is rather one of the many pre-Greek place names inherited by the immigrant Hellenes. The pre-Greek language remains unknown, but there is no particular evidence to rule out a member of the [[Indo-European]] superfamily. (See ''[[Pelasgian]]'', ''[[Minyans]]'')

The [[acropolis]] or "high city" of Mycenae is believed to have been fortified as early as [[1500 BC]], as evidenced by grave-shafts dating from that period. In around [[1350 BC]] the fortifications on the acropolis, and other surrounding hills, were rebuilt in a style known as "cyclopaean," because the blocks of stone used were so massive that they were thought in later ages to be the work of the one-eyed giants known as [[Cyclops]]. Within these walls, parts of which can still be seen, monumental palaces were built.

In later periods the Mycenaeans stopped burying their kings in grave shafts, and instead built enormous circular tombs called ''tholoi'', often built into the sides of hills. The largest of these was discovered by the German archaeologist [[Heinrich Schliemann]]. Since it had long ago been looted of its contents, he did not realise it was a tomb and called it the [[Treasure of Atreus|Treasury of Atreus]].

The best known feature of Mycenae is the Lion Gate, which was built in about [[1250 BC]]. At this time Mycenae must have been a thriving city, whose political, military and economic power extended as far as [[Crete]], [[Pylos]] in the western Peloponnese, and to [[Athens]] and [[Thebes]]. By [[1200 BC]], however, the power of Mycenae was declining; during the 12th century, Mycenaean dominance collapsed. This is traditionally attributed to a [[Dorian invasion]] of Greeks from the north, although some historians now doubt that such an invasion took place.

The memory of the power of Mycenae lingered in the minds of the Greeks through the subsequent centuries, commonly known as the [[Greek Dark Ages| Dark Age]]. The epic poems attributed by the later Greeks to [[Homer]], the ''[[Iliad]]'' and the ''[[Odyssey]]'', preserve memories of the Myceanean period. Homer's poems make [[Agamemnon]], King of Mycenae, the leader of the Greeks in the [[Trojan War]].

During the early Classical period, Mycenae was once again inhabited, though it never regained its earlier importance. Mycenaeans fought at [[Thermopylae]] and [[Plataea]] during the [[Persian Wars]]. In [[468 BC]], however, troops from [[Argos]] captured Mycenae and expelled the inhabitants. In [[Hellenistic]] and Roman times, the ruins at Mycenae were a tourist attraction (just as they are now). A small town grew up to serve the tourist trade. By late Roman times, however, the site had been abandoned.

The first excavations at Mycenae were carried out by the Greek archaeologist [[Pittakis]] in [[1841]]. He found and restored the Lion Gate. In [[1874]] Schliemann arrived at the site and undertook a complete excavation. Schliemann believed in the historical truth of the Homeric stories and interpreted the site accordingly. He found the ancient shaft graves with their royal [[skeleton]]s and spectacular grave goods. When he found a gold death mask in one of the tombs, he exclaimed: "Behold the face of Agamemnon!"

Since Schliemann's day more scientific excavations have taken place at Mycenae, mainly by Greek archaeologists but also by the British School at Athens. The acropolis was excavated in [[1902]], and the surrounding hills have been methodically investigated by subsequent excavations.

Today Mycenae, one of the foundational sites of European civilization, is a popular tourist destination, a few hours' drive from Athens. The site has been well-preserved, and the massive ruins of the cyclopaean walls and the palaces on the acropolis still arouse the admiration of visitors, particularly when it is remembered that they were built a thousand years before the monuments of Classical Greece.

==See also==

*[[History of Mycenaean Greece]]
*[[Aegean Civilization]]

==External links==
*[http://www.bsa.gla.ac.uk/archive/index.htm?excavs/sitepres/mycenae/main British School at Athens Mycenae page]
*[http://www.losttrails.com/pages/Hproject/Mycenae/Mycenae.html black and white photo essay of Mycenae]

[[Category:Ancient Greek cities]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Greece]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:16, December 13, 2005
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 During the early Classical period, Mycenae was once again inhabited, though it never regained its earlier importance. Mycenaeans fought at [[Thermopylae]] and [[Plataea]] during the [[Persian Wars]]. In [[468 BC]], however, troops from [[Argos]] captured Mycenae and expelled the inhabitants. In [[Hellenistic]] and Roman times, the ruins at Mycenae were a tourist attraction (just as they are now). A small town grew up to serve the tourist trade. By late Roman times, however, the site had been abandoned.
-The first excavations at Mycenae were carried out by the Greek archaeologist [[Pittakis]] in [[1841]]. He found and restored the Lion Gate. In [[1874]] Schliemann arrived at the site and undertook a complete excavation. Schliemann believed in the historical truth of the Homeric stories and interpreted the site accordingly. He found the ancient shaft graves with their royal [[skeleton]]s and spectacular grave goods. When he found a gold death mask in one of the tombs, he exclaimed: "Behold the face of Agamemnon!"
+The first excavations at Mycenae were carried out by the Greek archaeologist [[Pittakis]] in [[1841]]. He found and restored the Lion Gate. In [[1874]] Schliemann arrived at the site and undertook a complete excavation. Schliemann believed in the historical truth of the Homeric stories and interpreted the site accordingly. He found the ancient shaft graves with their royal skeletons and spectacular grave goods. When he found a gold death mask in one of the tombs, he exclaimed: "Behold the face of Agamemnon!"
 Since Schliemann's day more scientific excavations have taken place at Mycenae, mainly by Greek archaeologists but also by the British School at Athens. The acropolis was excavated in [[1902]], and the surrounding hills have been methodically investigated by subsequent excavations.
@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 *[http://www.bsa.gla.ac.uk/archive/index.htm?excavs/sitepres/mycenae/main British School at Athens Mycenae page]
 *[http://www.losttrails.com/pages/Hproject/Mycenae/Mycenae.html black and white photo essay of Mycenae]
 [[Category:Ancient Greek cities]]
 [[Category:Archaeological sites in Greece]]
 [[Category:Argolis prefecture]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Mycenae''' ([[ancient Greek|ancient]] [[Greek language|Greek]]: '''Μυκήναι''', in [[modern Greek|modern]] [[Greek language|Greek]]: '''Μυκήνες'''), is an [[archaeology|archaeological site]] in [[Greece]], located about 90km south-west of [[Athens]], in the north-eastern [[Peloponnese]]. In the second millennium BC Mycenae was one of the major centres of Greek civilization, a military stronghold which dominated much of southern Greece. The period of [[History of Greece|Greek history]] from about [[1600 BC]] to about [[1100 BC]] is called '''[[Mycenaean period|Mycenaean]]''' in recognition of Mycenae's leading position.
+'''Mycenae''' ([[ancient Greek|ancient]] [[Greek language|Greek]]: '''Μυκήναι''', in modern [[Greek language|Greek]]: '''Μυκήνες'''), is an archaeological site in [[Greece]], located about 90km south-west of [[Athens]], in the north-eastern [[Peloponnese]]. In the second millennium BC Mycenae was one of the major centres of Greek civilization, a military stronghold which dominated much of southern Greece. The period of [[History of Greece|Greek history]] from about [[1600 BC]] to about [[1100 BC]] is called '''[[Mycenaean period|Mycenaean]]''' in recognition of Mycenae's leading position.
-Although the citadel was built by the Greeks, the name is not thought to be Greek, but is rather one of the many pre-Greek place names inherited by the immigrant Hellenes. The pre-Greek language remains unknown, but there is no particular evidence to rule out a member of the [[Indo-European]] superfamily. (See ''[[Pelasgian]]'', ''[[Minyans]]'')
+Although the citadel was built by the Greeks, the name is not thought to be Greek, but is rather one of the many pre-Greek place names inherited by the immigrant Hellenes. The pre-Greek language remains unknown, but there is no particular evidence to rule out a member of the Indo-European superfamily. (See ''[[Pelasgian]]'', ''[[Minyans]]'')
 The [[acropolis]] or "high city" of Mycenae is believed to have been fortified as early as [[1500 BC]], as evidenced by grave-shafts dating from that period. In around [[1350 BC]] the fortifications on the acropolis, and other surrounding hills, were rebuilt in a style known as "cyclopaean," because the blocks of stone used were so massive that they were thought in later ages to be the work of the one-eyed giants known as [[Cyclops]]. Within these walls, parts of which can still be seen, monumental palaces were built.