This city is well known to everyone who is interested in the history of the ancient world, archeology or ancient literature .It was here that King Agamemnon, the leader of the Achaeans' trip to Troy, lived here, it was from here that many Homeric characters came from, it was in the acropolis of the city of Mycenae that the great Schliemann discovered the golden mask, one of the world's most famous archaeological discoveries .The Argolid valley in which the city is located is sung in Greek myths, and because of the importance of the city in the life of the region the first Greek civilization was named Mykenskaya .

Myths and legends about Mikanah

Myths say that the city was built by Perseus, and the fortifications, built of huge stone slabs, were erected by huge one-eyed monsters - cyclops, an ordinary person can not build something so grandiose.

The geographical position of Mycenae and his achievements have caused the city to become the arena of the struggle for power more than once. Cruelty of conquerors, sophisticated methods of struggle are reflected in legends and myths, which are fantastically intertwined with real events, confirmed by scientists.

Mykene

The number and significance of archaeological findings made in Mycenae can not be overestimated .It can not be overlooked that the excavations were carried out by a German businessman, self-taught archeologist Schliemann .Taking advantage of Homer's Iliad as a guide, Schliemann first found Troy, and after a short time - Mykene .Perhaps fate favors romantics, otherwise the explorer of the ancient world would not have an excuse to say: "All the world's museums taken together do not even have the fifth share of what I found here" .Perhaps interestingly, the numerous clay tablets found by the archaeologist with all kinds of inscriptions characterize the Mycenaean state as extremely bureaucratic .The representatives of the royal dynasty found eternal rest in the mine burial vaults .One of the most famous - the treasury of Atreus, is a long, about 36 meters corridor, which ends with a dome .Above the whole structure is a huge stone slab, whose weight is about 120 tons, and a mystery has not yet been solved, how did the ancient architects manage to raise it to such a significant height .

Entertainment, excursions and attractions Miken

Since the thickness of the walls reached up to 17 meters in places, it allowed to arrange inside the walls casemates and vaulted galleries. From a military point of view, the construction of the wall was well thought out: all sections of the wall were built in such a way as to maximally protect the city from any attacks. From the point of view of the simple people living in the vicinity of Mycenae, the fortress was a sort of abode of the gods, on the hill where it stood, rose only on special occasions, using for this purpose numerous tangled paths.

For aristocrats, a road paved with a stone led to the fortress, it approached the "Lion Gate" that had survived to this day, through which it passed the path to the royal palace. They represent a construction of three huge, slightly processed stones, over which are carved from stone two heraldic lionesses, personifying the power of the dynasty Atrid.

In the center of Mycenae there are megarons of the tsar and the queen .In the king's megaron the balcony, the vestibule and the throne room are clearly visible .The floor and walls of the rooms are decorated with frescoes, each of the elements of the throne room has a symbolic, almost sacral character .The location of the king's megaron clearly indicates to specialists that this premise is the semantic center of the palace structure .In the opinion of specialists, these structures concern - it is terrible to think! - by the 14th century before .e ., and some elements - to the earlier period .In the world there are no more such monumental buildings belonging to this period .

Interest in the past of mankind has become a passion for very many .Someone dreams of the glory of Schliemann, someone is interested in the myths and legends of Ancient Greece, someone is just curious, and yearns to look at the buildings so old that it's hard to imagine their age .For all those wishing to travel to Athens, many excursions of various duration and content are organized .Of course, you can get to the city of Mycenae by yourself using a rented car or public transport .In any case, a visit to one of the greatest archaeological reserves in Greece will leave an indelible impression for life .

Mykene Acropolis

Lion's Gate