Homeric World - Classics
Cards (100)
- When was the Mycenaean age?1600BC - 1150BC
- Why was it called the Mycenaean age?-It was a time where separate independent cities in Greece were growing strong, especially Mycenae-Mycenae is a modern term used to link these cities with similarities as cities had similar culture and characteristics-Mycenaean age was part of Bronze Age
- Why was it called the Bronze Age?It in this time that tin and copper were first mixed together to make Bronze.
- Difficulties of dating the Mycenaean age-SO long ago that nothing can be precisely dated in Greek history-No written records-Overlapped w Minoan Age (3500BC - 1400BC), based in Crete and influenced areas around it
- Ways of dating the Mycenaean Age?-Comparing pottery styles found in Greece and Egypt (where historical records were kept more accurately)-Carbon dating wooden objects and timbers
- Mycenae location + importance-Built on a hill (citadel) 40-50m above plains surrounding it (beneficial - you can see if enemies are coming and its hard for attackers to get up steep hilll)-Had hills to north and south-Ravines surround plains on 3 sides (Slows attackers down)-Freshwater spring less than 400m away (water source)
- Evidence and importance of Mycenae-Evidence of people living at site goes a few thousand years before the Mycenaean Age-Archeologists found first Mycenaean burials from 1650BC-Very large walls and structures made of stone found-Heinrich Schliemann excavated the tombs between 1876-1878 and found treasure in them
- Mythology at Mycenae-It was home of King Agamemnon who led Greeks in Trojan War-Perseus, hero who killed Medusa, founded the city and the cyclopes helped him build the city; Heroes add onto Mycenae's good reputation
- Mycenae map
- Palace complex (Mycenae)-Contains throne room, court, megaron, hearth, shrine and oil pressing room-Could be used for feasts, meetings, religious activities-Temple built next to palace later
- Megaron-Vestibule = waiting room (antechamber)-A + entrance port w two columns-In the heart a fire was lit for religious or cooking purposes, where feasts were held-Four columns supported roof so there was a hole to allow smoke to escape
- Sally ports-Gap within the outer walls where defenders rush out and surprise attackers-Mycenae has 2; one to the north and one to south but its visible from a distance and is only 2.5m wide (not effective, hard to get soldiers to leave all at once, hard to launch surprise attack)-Corbelling used to create a vaulted roof
- CorbellingPlacing increasingly larger blocks of stone on top of the other until they join at the top
- Passage to underground cistern (Mycenae)-Goes under northern wall-Cistern = water storage tank, has corbelling and is useful as it allowed Mycenaeans to hold out in a siege-Cistern 18m below ground-Water from nearby spring brought to cistern by clay pipes
- Cyclopean walls (Mycenae)-Built in c.1350BC and only surrounded top part of city (palace), but were extended to walls we see now in 1200BC-Walls are 5.5-7.5m thick and 12m high ; thick and sturdy hard to attack-Each limestone block (quarried from limestone surrounding Mycenae) weighed 2 tonnes-Small limestone pieces filled gaps over mortar-Larger block uses for visible parts of walls whilst inner core was made of earth and rubble
- Lion Gate-Main entrance to city built in 13th century BC-Uphill ramp approach (hard for attackers)-Area around gate made from diff type of stone (conglonerate) to contrast limestone gate-Narrow entrance meant soldiers cannot attack in large numbers-Gate made w post and lintel technique, and lintel weighs 20 tonnes; hard to overcome-Corbelling above gate-Holes where a door and bar across used to be-Relief of 2 lions standing on altars above gate (lions ferocious and top hunting prize, dominant, paws on altars indicating religious aspect, lions side on creates sense of majesty and seriousness - could intimidate attackers)-Minoan columns (larger at top than bottom)
- How does the steep slope on the left of lion gate and bastion on right help Mycenae be defended?Mycenaeans shoot down at enemies, meaning enemies are enclosed on 3 sides with no escape
- Shaft graves-A term used for the burial sites of elite members of Mycenaean Greek society in the mid-second millennium B.C.E.-At the bottom of deep shafts lined with stone slabs, the bodies were laid out along with gold and bronze jewelry, implements, weapons, and masks.-Large, expensive
- Grave circle B-Oldest tombs found here; 24 shaft graves here-(c. 1600BC)-Enclosed within a stone wall w diameter of 28m-Outside city walls-Over half graves royal due to objects-35 bodies found-Some have upright stone stelae to mark body. Men have carved, women have plain
- Grave circle B contents-Grave circle B was earlier than Grave circle A, but less expensive and less gold; simpler with fewer grave goods. It stayed outside the walls of Mycenae.-Gold funeral masks-Death mask made of electrum of flattened face hammered into shape (Gold and silver alloy)-Jewellery-Rock crystal vessel w duck neck (for cosmetics?)-Pottery-Swords (bronze)
- Grave circle A-(c. 1550-1500BC)-In SW of city-28m diameter (SAME)-Royal burial site since 16th century BC as its contents have been dated by similar objects in Egypt-Rebuilt w new wall, ground raised when lion gate was built next to it-CONTAINED 6 shaft graves w 9 women, 8 men and 2 kids-Deeper and larger shaft graves
- Grave circle A contents-Gold death mask of Agamemnon-Gold cup with repousse spirals-Gold necklace-Signet ring w two men in chariot hunting deer-Lion hunt dagger-Amber beach necklace-Ostrich egg rhythm w dolphins-Sword w gold handles-Gold Pyxis-Gold octopus brooch-14kg gold-Silver, glass, amber, ivory-Stelai elaborately carved (3 show chariot scenes)
- RepousséHammer a nail into the material to create raised patterns
- How was gold funerary masks created?-Sheet of gold heated to be soft-Hammer into shape (repoussé)-Smaller sharper tool used for fine details-Two holes by ears-Impressive features (eyebrows, beard, closed eyes)-Agammemnon one 17cm high, 25cm wide and 168g (thin sheet)
- Death mask measurements17cm high, 25cm wide and 168g
- Tomb of Clytemnestra-14th cent BC-Tholos (domed)-Given names by villagers recently-13m diameter and hjigh-Robbed so no treasure
- Tomb of Aegisthus-14th cent BC-Tholos (domed)-Given names by villagers recently-13m diameter-Robbed
- Treasury of Atreus-14th cent BC-Tholos-Doorway highly decorated-Robbed (its easy to dig in and steal)
- Tholos thombs-Dug down from top of hill-Stone from bottom of excavated area used for corbelled walls/roof to create a beehive or dome effect. The dug out earth is then put over the stone.-Dromos (passage) highly decorated-Body may be in a side chamber-Entrance sealed w large stone-Relieving triangle above doorway
- Structure and layout of Tiryns-Surrounded by fertile fields for food
- Location and importance of Tiryns-10 miles from Mycenae-Strong defensive walls (10m tall)-Built on a 18m high hill
- Evidence and importance of Tiryns-Famous for palace, throne room and arched galleries-Numerous frescoes found
- Mythology; Tiryns-Heracles was born here-Built before Mycenae
- Location of Troy-Northwest Turkey-Rebuilt several times in ancient times, each time it was built on top of the old one
- Evidence and importance of Troy-Site of the Trojan War + Iliad-Little evidence of riches homer describes
- Mythology of Troy10 year war between Greeks and Trojans occurred here
- Cyclopean walls and ramp (Tiryns)-7m high walls, originally 10m high so hard to climb over-Cyclopean ramp got its name from its giant size-Slows attackers as its 47m long
- Main gate (Tiryns)-3m wide and 3m high-Same size as lion gate-Pivot holes found where door used to be-Slots in the gate posts for a bar to lock the gate-Long narrow passage between 2 sets of internal gates that would trap attackers without letting them into main complex
- Palace (Tiryns)-Grand entrance way to megaron-Hearth w 4 columns holding up roof-Small platform in megaron for kings throne-Protected by own set of walls-Walls decorated w frescoes and floor plastered and richly decorated-Apartments, courtyards, and bathroom w drainage holes around megaron-Evidence of two staircases (ut was a 2 storey palace)
- Galleries (Tiryns)-Built into cities outer walls-Corbelling-Some up to 30m long-Lots of rooms lead off galleries, used for storage probably