Mycenae is located on a hill between two mountain heights. The fortress of Agamemnon in Mycenae, better than any other place in Greece, deserves the title of legendary. The fortress was discovered in 1874 by the German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, who discovered Troy. Schliemann was driven by the simple-hearted belief that here he would find evidence confirming the veracity of the Homeric epic. Schliemann found brilliantly crafted gold items and unusual burials.
History and legends about Mycenae (Greece)
The Mycenaean-Argos region belongs to those areas of Greece that have been inhabited since ancient times, as evidenced by the Neolithic sites that appeared around 3000 BC. But three centuries of the end of the 2nd millennium BC are connected with the Mycenaean fortress and the dramatic events around it - the period from about 1550 to 1200 BC. It is called Mycenaean, but the term implies not only the vicinity of Mycenae, but the entire Bronze Age civilization that flourished at that time on.
The myth set forth by Homer in the Iliad and the Odyssey and by Aeschylus in the Oresteum tells the story of Mycenae. Mycenae was founded by Perseus, who killed the medusa Gorgon, but then the city fell into the blood-stained hands of Atreus. Fiesta seduced the wife of his brother Atreus, and in order to take revenge, he killed the sons of Fiesta and fed them to their own father. No wonder such behavior angered the gods. Fiesta's daughter Pelopia gave birth to a son from her father, who was named Aegisthus, who, having matured, killed Atreus and returned the throne to Fiesta.
The curse of the gods fell on the son of Atreus Agamemnon. Returning to Mycenae from the Trojan War, during which he commanded the Greek troops for this post of commander-in-chief, he, going to war, sacrificed his daughter Iphigenia - Agamemnon was killed by his own wife Clytemnestra and her lover - the same Egistus who killed his father Atreus. The tragic circle was completed by the son of Agamemnon Orestes, who killed his own mother, that is, Clytemnestra, after which he was pursued by Erinyes - until Athena begged forgiveness from Erinyes for the ill-fated avenger and removed the curse that weighed on him from the Atrid family.
What archaeologists have discovered in Mycenae fits perfectly into the legend - at least if we understand it as a poetic story about the history of inter-dynastic strife or - as most scientists tend to - the merger of several stories that arose at different times and about different times. narrating. The building that Schliemann found has features that suggest it was in use from about 1950 BC, but saw two periods of apparent desolation: around 1200 and again around 1100 BC, after which the city, whose prosperity, it would seem that nothing interfered, and was completely abandoned by the inhabitants.
It is not yet possible to explain all these events, especially since the well-known theory of the “Dorian invasion” cannot be correct, but it seems that some large-scale war between rival kingdoms could contribute to the decline of Mycenae. And it also seems that the high development of civilization by the 13th century BC only intensified the struggle, and the excavations of Troy confirmed the story of the ruin of this city in 1240 BC by an army whose leader could very well be the king from Mycenae. It was during this period that powerful new fortifications were built in the Mycenaean fortress.
You can enter the Mycenaean fortress (summer: Monday 12:30 19:30, Tuesday-Sunday 8:00-19:30; winter: 8:30-17:00; 8 €) through the famous Lion Gate. Of great interest are the grandiose walls, the thickness of which in some places reaches 6 meters and they are made of huge stones. The walls are called "cyclopean": the Hellenes believed that only some legendary creatures, for example, cyclops, could build something like this, not mortal people. Above the gate is a carved relief of fine workmanship.
Mycenae in this period were at the height of their power - the city headed the confederation of cities of Argolis (Assina, Hermione - the current Ermioni), dominated the Peloponnese and imperiously extended its influence to other cities located on the coast of the Aegean Sea. The pillar, supported by two mighty lions, seems to have been a kind of emblem of the Mycenaean royal house - in any case, a similar image adorns the stele found in the fortress.
Inside the walls on the right, Schliemann, as a result of excavations, discovered burials - the Funeral Circle. It is believed that here are the remains of Agamemnon and his associates, who were killed after they returned victoriously from Troy. Opening one of the graves, Schliemann found in it a very carefully executed magnificent golden mask and decided that it was Agamemnon: “I looked at the face of Agamemnon!” - the German exclaimed in an enthusiastic telegram sent by him to the king.
Indeed, for some time the truth of the Homeric stories seemed undeniable and irrefutable. But in reality it turned out that the burials took place at least three centuries before the Trojan War, although if Homer combined in his epic several different legends that appeared at different times, there is no reason to reject the possibility of a connection between the mask and the Mycenaean king, who could also be called Agamemnon . Treasures (they are now in) are undoubtedly royal - few of the archaeological finds are comparable to them in their richness and splendor.
Schliemann considered the spacious South House behind the grave circle the palace of Agamemnon. However, the Royal Palace was rather a more magnificent building, discovered later during excavations near the top of the acropolis. In the 13th century BC, it was rebuilt, and an impressive, beautifully finished architectural complex turned out: although the ruins reach only ground level, the boundaries between individual rooms are guessed quite easily.
Like all Mycenaean palaces, this one was built around a large courtyard: a staircase on the south side must have led through some kind of antechamber to a large rectangular throne room. In the east, through a double portico, large reception rooms entered the megaron with a traditional round hearth in the middle. It is believed that small compartments in the northern part of the palace served as royal chambers, and the remains of an alabaster bath found in one of these rooms lead to ominous suspicions - was Agamemnon killed here?
A walk along the earthen ramparts plunges you into dreams about the events of bygone days. The secret cistern, which was buried there around 1225 BC, is a reminder of the life the Mycenaeans led. Perhaps she helped the defenders of the fortress to withstand the siege from the outside. Steps lead down to an underground spring - and you can go all the way down this path, just take a torch or, better, a flashlight, and put on your boots: water drips on the last turn of the winding passage. Nearby is the House of Columns, the foundation of the stairs that once led upstairs has been preserved.
Only the Mycenaean ruling elite ("elite") could settle in the fortress itself. Therefore, the main part of the city is located below, outside the defensive walls, along the road, the remains of houses belonging to oil and wine merchants were found. Among the finds are tablets with linear writing, which we managed to read: the tablets contain recipes for flavoring olive oil with spices.
They also found a lot of pottery, the appearance and abundance of which suggests that the ancient Mycenaeans had extensive trade relations. The found tablets once again testify to the high level of the Mycenaean civilization: judging by the deciphered texts, not only government scribes who worked in royal palaces had writing skills, as was previously thought. Perhaps there was a prosperous wealthy city near the fortress.
Next to the ruins of the dwellings, another Grave Circle was discovered, the construction of which dates back to about 1650 BC. Perhaps these burials were left by the former dynasty, which competed with the kings of the Burial Circle. Nearby are two tholos – that was the name of the round burial chambers. Schliemann, who discovered the tholoses, "identified" them as the graves of Aegisthus and Clytemnestra. The first, the one closer to the Lion's Gate, was built around 1500 BC and is now collapsing - that's why it was fenced with ropes. The second one is two hundred years younger, in other words, it refers to the times of the Trojan War, and so far they are allowed to visit it.
Four hundred meters down the road from the fortress is a tholos called the Treasury of Atreus, or more formally, the “Tomb of Agamemnon” (same schedule as at the fortress; admission fee is included in the price of a ticket to the fortress). Under this dome, apparently, the last Mycenaean kings were actually buried.
But no matter why and for whomever this beehive-like structure was erected, it undoubtedly remains an outstanding monument of the Mycenaean era. Entering the tholos through a majestic fifteen-meter tunnel, you will find yourself in a passage that is too narrow, the so-called dromos.
The Treasury of Atreus is a monumental building of exceptionally perfect technology. The inner walls and dromos are lined with smooth, beautifully finished slabs. The lintels of the inner door are covered with reliefs and bronze ornaments.
From the modern village of Mykines, it is only 2 kilometers to the Corinth-Argos motorway junction and to the railway station in Fichti, but not all trains of the Argos route stop at Fichti station.
Buses traveling from Argos or usually drop off passengers who want to get to Mycenae at Fichti (bus tickets are sold in a cafe next to the fork), and not in the village of Mykines.
She and ancient Mycenae are served by overcrowded buses traveling from Nafplion via Argos. Ancient Mycenae from the center of Mykines is two kilometers uphill, in the season you will come across a couple of mobile eateries and mobile mail in a van.
- Accommodation and meals in the village of Mykines (Greece)
If you do not have your own car, then you might want to stay in the village: Mykines is filled with tourists during the day, but when the working day ends and the buses with travelers leave, silence immediately reigns. On the only street of the village there are hotels named after Atrids, but you can also rent a room. Both Mykinesian campsites (there are two of them) are within easy reach from the center, although they are located on the outskirts of the village.
Both are open year-round, although Camping Mykines is smaller but closer to the archaeological site than Camping Atreus. All of the hotels listed below have restaurants that cater mainly to groups of tourists who want lunch, so don't expect anything from these establishments. If you want to eat, go to Electro or King Menelaos, or even just Menelaos - the whole trio settled down on the main street.
1). Belle Helene Hotel- A kind of hotel with a good restaurant - in the same house where Schliemann lived when the excavations were underway at Mycenae. In the guest book you will see autographs by Virginia Woolf, Henry Moore, Sartre and Debussy;
2). Rooms Dassis Hotel– Pleasant, good environment; the hotel and travel agency is owned by Marion Dassis, a Canadian married to a member of the local clan. The hotel is good for groups, students and families;
3). Hotel Klytemnestra- Clean, pleasant, modern rooms, run by Greek - or Australian - owners;
4). Hotel Le Petite Planete– Great views and swimming pool. Operates from April to October. Location: near ancient Mycenae.
Heraion of Argos and ancient Midea in Greece
The little-visited Heraion of Argos (daily 8:30-15:00; free) was considered an important sanctuary dedicated to Hera in Mycenaean and Classical times. Tradition says that it was here that Agamemnon was chosen as the leader of the troops during the Trojan War. From Mycenae to the sanctuary 7 kilometers to the south, the road follows the new highway to Tiryns, along the way you can admire magnificent views of the plains stretching to Argos.
Near the temple you will see several Mycenaean burials, but the main thing - the temple complex (more precisely, its remains) over interconnected terraces - was built in the 5th century BC. The Roman baths (terms) and the palestra also survived, and the central foundation of the temple is the same size as that of the Athenian Parthenon.
If you are in a car and are driving along the Mycenae-Nafplio road, then Heraion is a great excuse to get distracted, and if you have already visited Mycenae, you can take a walk to this temple - from the village of Mykines you will walk on foot in a little over an hour, just find the old one first the path leading from Mykines to the southeast - it runs parallel to the road to Ayia Triada. From the village of Khonikas, you can take a bus to Argos, but it is still better to overcome 5 kilometers and get to the village of Ayia Triada, which is connected with Nafplio, and from where the transport runs a little more often.
Ancient Midea is located between the villages of Midea and Dendra. In the Mycenaean era, ancient Midea was the third fortified palace along with Mycenae and Tiryns. Excavations unearthed fortifications on an area of about 2.5 hectares, as well as the remains of a girl - she probably died during an earthquake that happened in the XIII century BC - and many handicraft tools, but the most famous find, the so-called "cuirass from Dendra" (bronze armor) - now in the Nafplion Museum.
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The descendants of the mythical Perseus ruled Mycenae for many generations, until they were replaced by the powerful Atreus dynasty, with which many heroic and tragic events are associated. The son of Atreus, the legendary Agamemnon, who led the campaign against Troy, on the advice of the oracle, sacrificed his own daughter Iphigenia to the gods. After a triumphant return from the Trojan War, Agamemnon was killed in the bathroom by his wife Clytemnestra, who did not forgive her husband for the death of her daughter. Clytemnestra, in turn, is killed by her son Orestes, distraught with rage, incited by her sister Electra. What can I say? Tough times, tough habits. But after millennia, the name of Clytemenestre became a household name in Greece for wives - murderers of men.
These legends and assumptions found historical confirmation when the German amateur archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, in search of Troy, accidentally stumbled upon one of the mine burial grounds. Several more burials of the same type were found nearby, and then it became clear why Homer called Mycenae rich in gold. During the excavations, an incredible amount of gold and amazingly beautiful things (about 30 kg!) was found: jewelry, goblets, buttons, military equipment and bronze weapons trimmed with gold. Struck Schliemann wrote: "All the museums of the world do not possess even a fifth of these riches." But the most significant find was the golden death mask, which, according to Schliemann, belonged to Agamemnon himself. But the age of the burial grounds did not confirm this version; the burials were made much earlier, before the reign of Agamemnon. An interesting fact confirming the power and wealth of ancient Mycenae is that no iron objects were found. The main materials from which the discovered objects were made are silver, bronze and gold. Artifacts found in the mine burial grounds are kept in the Archaeological Museum of Athens and in the Archaeological Museum of Mycenae.
The ancient city occupied a strategically advantageous position on a hilltop, protected by the massive walls of the acropolis. The laying of the defensive walls was carried out without the use of any binder solution. The stones were fitted so tightly that the walls give the impression of being monolithic. The famous "Lion's Gate" led to the acropolis - a cyclopean structure made of stones, decorated with a bas-relief with two lionesses - a symbol of the power of the royal dynasty. The gate is the most famous building of Mycenae, and the bas-relief is considered one of the most significant heraldic monuments in the world.
In the citadel there were residential houses of the nobility and household buildings, and many of the buildings were two and three stories high. Not far from the entrance, the remains of burial circle A have been preserved, where shaft tombs dating back to 1600 BC are located. The objects found in them indicate that there were burials of royal families.
From the courtyard at the "Lion's Gate" began a large staircase leading to the royal palace. The center of the palace was Megaron - a large room with a hearth on the floor. The royal Megaron was the central building, a kind of administrative center. Meetings were held here, courts were decided. Only the foundation remained of the royal chambers. You can also make out fragments of the foundation of the red bathroom in which Agamemnon was killed.
At a short distance from the walls of the acropolis, burial circle B was discovered, which includes domed tombs (tholos) - another example of Mycenaean architecture. The most impressive and well-preserved of them is the so-called "Treasury of Atreus" or "Tomb of Agamemnon". When the burial was found by Schliemann, it turned out to be looted. Therefore, it was not possible to establish who owned the tomb, but the size and architectural features suggest that there was a royal tomb inside. Round underground structures have replaced mine burials. An inclined corridor lined with stones leads to a high narrow entrance. Inside the tomb is an imposing dome 13.5 m high and 14.5 m in diameter, lined with horizontal rows of stones. Each row protrudes slightly from the previous one. Prior to the construction of the Roman Pantheon, the tomb was the tallest building of its type.
Everyone who is interested in the history of the ancient world, archeology or ancient literature has heard about Mycenae. King Agamemnon lived here, the leader of the Achaean campaign against Troy, the Argolid valley, in which Mycenae are located, was sung in Greek myths. The city was so important in the life of the region that the first Greek civilization was called Mycenaean. It was in the local acropolis that Heinrich Schliemann discovered the golden mask, one of the most famous archaeological finds in the world.
A bit of history
Myths say that the city was built by Perseus, and fortifications made of huge stone slabs were erected by huge one-eyed monsters - Cyclopes, because it was believed that an ordinary person could not build something so grandiose.
The geographical position of Mycenae and its achievements have caused the city to become the scene of a struggle for power more than once. The cruelty of the conquerors and their sophisticated methods of struggle are reflected in legends and myths, which are intricately intertwined with real historical events. For a long time it was believed that Troy and Mycenae were only the fantasy of ancient authors, but the enthusiasm of one person changed the ideas of all scientists about the ancient world.
Representatives of the royal dynasty found eternal rest in mine tombs. One of the most famous is the treasury of Atreus, it is a corridor about 36 meters long, which ends with a domed room. Above the whole structure there is a giant stone slab, the weight of which is about 120 tons, and the riddle has not yet been solved how the ancient architects managed to raise it to such a significant height.
Entertainment and attractions of Mycenae
The fortress wall has a length of about 900 meters, and its monumentality is amazing: some blocks weigh more than 10 tons, and in some places the height of the wall reached 7.5 meters. The thickness of the walls sometimes reached 17 meters, which made it possible to arrange casemates and vaulted galleries inside the wall. From a military point of view, the design of the wall was well thought out: all sections were built in such a way as to protect the city from any attacks as much as possible. From the point of view of the common people who lived in the vicinity of Mycenae, the fortress was a kind of abode of the gods; the hill where she stood was climbed only on special occasions, using numerous intricate paths for this.
For aristocrats, a road paved with stone led to the fortress, it approached the Lion Gate, which has survived to this day, through which the path to the royal palace passed. This gate is a structure of three huge, slightly processed stones, above which two heraldic lionesses are carved from stone, personifying the power of the Atrid dynasty.
From the point of view of specialists in heraldry, this composition has no analogues in the world.
In the center of Mycenae are the megarons of the king and queen. In the megaron of the king, a balcony, a vestibule and a 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 an almost sacred meaning. According to experts, these structures date back to the 14th century BC. e., and some elements - to an earlier period. These are the only such ancient monumental buildings in the world.
- Where to stay: For those who wish to combine a beach holiday with excursions, it makes sense to choose one of the resorts of picturesque Messinia - for example, the popular Kalamata, noisy Loutraki, calm Pylos or the elite Costa Navarino. If you can’t imagine life without antiquity, Corinth’s “excursion” hotels are at your service. There are almost no hotels in Kalambaka and Epidaurus, only a few basic establishments “for their own”.
- What to watch: The expanses of the Peloponnese peninsula, generous with archaeological treasures - the monasteries of Meteora soaring on the rocks (and the starting point for them - a modest village
| Archaeological sites of Mycenae and Tiryns* | ||||||||||||||
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| Archaeological Sites of Mycenae and Tiryns** | ||||||||||||||
| UNESCO World Heritage In the pre-antique period, Mycenae was one of the major centers of the Mycenaean civilization, which perished as a result of the bronze collapse. Mycenaean tombsBefore the construction of fortresses and cities, the Mycenaeans buried their kings in complex "dome" tombs - "tholos", built of huge stone slabs and shaped like giant domes. In one of the tombs - the treasury of Atreus - there is an entrance almost 6 meters high, opening a burial chamber: round in plan, 13 meters high and 14 meters wide, with a beehive vault. Once its walls were decorated with bronze gilded rosettes. One king owned up to 400 bronze casters and many hundreds of slaves. Wealthy Mycenaeans highly valued the gold imported from Egypt. Skillful craftsmen made cups, masks, flowers and jewelry from gold, inlaid swords and armor with gold. Rise and fallThe acropolis at Mycenae, Dec. 2001.jpg Mycenaean acropolis. year 2001 see alsoWrite a review on the article "Mycenae"LiteratureLinks
An excerpt characterizing MycenaeYes, happy Napoleon,Having learned through experiments what Bagration is, He does not dare to trouble the Alcides of the Russians more ... " But he had not yet finished his poems, when the loud butler proclaimed: "The meal is ready!" The door opened, a Polish rumbled from the dining room: “Thunder of victory resound, rejoice, brave Russian,” and Count Ilya Andreich, angrily looking at the author, who continued to read poetry, bowed to Bagration. Everyone got up, feeling that dinner was more important than poetry, and again Bagration went ahead of everyone to the table. In the first place, between the two Alexandrovs - Bekleshov and Naryshkin, which also mattered in relation to the name of the sovereign, Bagration was planted: 300 people were seated in the dining room according to rank and importance, who is more important, closer to the honored guest: as naturally as water spills deeper where the terrain is lower. Just before dinner, Count Ilya Andreich introduced his son to the prince. Bagration, recognizing him, said a few awkward, awkward words, like all the words that he spoke that day. Count Ilya Andreich joyfully and proudly looked around at everyone while Bagration spoke with his son. Nikolai Rostov with Denisov and a new acquaintance Dolokhov sat down together almost in the middle of the table. Opposite them, Pierre sat next to Prince Nesvitsky. Count Ilya Andreich sat opposite Bagration with other foremen and regaled the prince, personifying Moscow cordiality. His labors were not in vain. His dinners, lean and modest, were excellent, but he still could not be completely calm until the end of dinner. He winked at the barman, gave orders to the footmen in a whisper, and, not without excitement, awaited each familiar dish. Everything was amazing. On the second course, together with the gigantic sterlet (on seeing which Ilya Andreich blushed with joy and shyness), the footmen began to clap corks and pour champagne. After the fish, which made some impression, Count Ilya Andreich exchanged glances with the other foremen. - "There will be a lot of toasts, it's time to start!" - he whispered and took the glass in his hands - he stood up. Everyone was silent and waited for what he would say. - The health of the sovereign emperor! he shouted, and at the same moment his kind eyes were moistened with tears of joy and delight. At the same moment, they began to play: “The thunder of victory is heard.” Everyone got up from their seats and shouted hurray! and Bagration shouted hurray! in the same voice with which he shouted on the Shengraben field. The enthusiastic voice of young Rostov was heard from behind all 300 voices. He almost cried. “Health of the Sovereign Emperor,” he shouted, “hurray! He drank his glass in one gulp and threw it on the floor. Many followed his example. And the screams continued for a long time. When the voices fell silent, the lackeys picked up the broken dishes, and everyone began to sit down and, smiling at their cry, talk. Count Ilya Andreich got up again, looked at the note lying beside his plate, and proclaimed a toast to the health of the hero of our last campaign, Prince Pyotr Ivanovich Bagration, and again the count's blue eyes were moistened with tears. Hooray! again the voices of 300 guests shouted, and instead of music, choristers were heard singing a cantata composed by Pavel Ivanovich Kutuzov. “All obstacles are in vain to the Russians, Courage is a pledge of victory, We have Bagrations, All enemies will be at their feet,” etc. The choristers had just finished, when more and more toasts followed, at which Count Ilya Andreevich became more and more emotional, and even more dishes were beating, and still more shouting. They drank to the health of Bekleshov, Naryshkin, Uvarov, Dolgorukov, Apraksin, Valuev, to the health of the elders, to the health of the manager, to the health of all club members, to the health of all club guests, and finally, separately, to the health of the founder of the dinner, Count Ilya Andreich. At this toast, the count took out a handkerchief and, covering his face with it, completely burst into tears. Pierre sat opposite Dolokhov and Nikolai Rostov. He ate a lot and greedily and drank a lot, as always. But those who knew him briefly saw that some great change had taken place in him that day. He was silent all the time of dinner, and, screwing up his eyes and wincing, looked around him, or stopping his eyes, with an air of complete absent-mindedness, rubbed the bridge of his nose with his finger. His face was sad and gloomy. He did not seem to see or hear anything going on around him, and he thought of one thing, heavy and unresolved. | ||||||||||||||
The Mycenaean (Achaean) civilization (1600-1100 BC) is one of the oldest and most interesting civilizations that ever existed on the territory of modern Greece. This civilization had an undeniable influence on the subsequent development of ancient Greek culture and occupies a special place in literature and mythology, including in the writings of Homer.
One of the largest and most important centers of the Mycenaean civilization, of course, was the ancient city of Mycenae, from which, in fact, the culture later got its name. The royal residence was also located here, as well as the tombs of the Mycenaean kings and their entourage. In ancient Greek mythology, Mycenae is well known as the kingdom of the famous Agamemnon, who led the legendary Trojan War.
The ruins of the once majestic Mycenae lie about 90 km southwest of Athens in the northeastern part of the Peloponnese near the small village of the same name and today are an important archaeological and historical monument.
The first excavations of ancient Mycenae were carried out as early as 1841 by the Greek archaeologist Kirriakis Pittakis. It was then that the famous Lion Gate was discovered - a monumental entrance to the acropolis, built from four huge monolithic limestone blocks and got its name because of the huge bas-relief depicting two lions above the entrance. The Lion Gate, as well as fragments of impressive fortress walls (their width in some places reached 17 m), erected in the so-called “cyclopean” masonry, are well preserved and even today, after more than three thousand years, they amaze with their monumentality.
The real sensation was made by archaeological work, which began already in the 1870s under the auspices of the Archaeological Society of Athens and the leadership of Heinrich Schliemann. During the excavations (both on the territory of the fortress and outside it), a number of burials in shaft and domed tombs with an incredible number of all kinds of funerary gifts were discovered, among which a huge number of various gold items were especially impressive. However, the architecture of the tombs was also of great interest, perfectly illustrating the skill of ancient architects. Perhaps the best preserved to this day are the tombs of Clytemnestra and Atreus. The tomb of the latter dates back to the 14th century BC. and is a two-chamber tomb with a dromos corridor (length - 36 m, width - 6 m) leading to the domed room (where the king's body rested) with a small side aisle, in which a number of burials were also found. A huge 9-meter stone slab weighing about 120 tons was installed above the entrance to the tomb. How the ancient craftsmen managed to install it is still a mystery. The Tomb of Atreus, or the Treasury of Atreus, is the most grandiose domed structure of that time and one of the most important architectural monuments of the Mycenaean civilization.
In the following decades, archaeologists repeatedly returned to the excavations of the legendary Mycenae and discovered many more different structures, among which were the remains of the palace complex located on the top of the hill. Recently, the so-called “lower city” has also been excavated. A detailed study of the results of archaeological excavations made it possible to significantly lift the veil of secrecy over the mysterious Mycenaean civilization.
The famous "Mycenaean gold" (including the so-called golden "mask of Agamemnon", XVI century BC), as well as many other unique ancient artifacts found during the excavations of Mycenae, are today kept in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.
