C 1600 1200 BC Development c 1600 1200

C. 1600 – 1200 BC

Development c. 1600 - 1200 • Before c. 1600 (Thera) weak and paying tribute (children? ) to Minoan Crete • c. 1600 -1500 Mycenaean takeover of Crete • c. 1600 Minoan exports drop off – Mycenaean exports increase • 1375 Knossos is burned and looted • c. 1200 All Mediterranean is beset by the Sea Peoples

Troy Hittite Empire Mycenaean Civilization Thera Minoan Civilization Egyptian Empire

MYCENAE

Citadel of Mycenae – from east

Tip of Argos Bay Plain of Argos View from Mycenae

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

Sally port at Mycenae Sally port at Tiryns

Wall at Mycenae 20 ft. thick!

Water not so easily obtained as at Babylon Water Stair in east part of citadel

Carved out of solid rock! Tunnel to subterranean fountain

COLUMNS Megaron at Mycenae

HEARTH Nestor’s Megaron at Pylos

Throne Room – hearth and two columns

INSIDE THE MEGARON

Grave Circle

Shaft Grave Circle

THE THOLOS c. 1600 -1300 BC

Entrance to Tholos Tomb of Clytemnestra

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 grave c. 16 th century

Gold Cup – 16 th 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

“Mask of Agamemnon” – 16 th century BC

Mycenaean Kingship – one of the earliest crowns Tiara 16 th Century BC

Bronze dagger inlaid with gold – shows hunting scenes

Nobleman’s House at Mycenae

We should all have a group of dancing goats who worship us! Signet Ring from Tiryns c. 15 th century BC

The Dendra Armor: bronze plates with boar’s tusk helmet Bronze Armor c. 1500 BC

A helmet made of rows of boars tusks sewn into a leather base Mycenaean Greece. c. 1400 BCE

Dagger blade, c. 1500

Mycenaean Chariot – symbol of social status Funerary Stele at Mycenae

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