Mycenae key site 1

• *What does ´The Mycenaean Age´ refer to?


  the time when many separateindependent citiesin the Greek world werepowerful
• *Why is the term ´Mycenaean´ used for multiple cities?


  it is a modern term used to link cities withsimilarities(ie. culture, buildings, administration)
• *Why might people living during the Mycenaean Age have been confused that those from the future would refer to the period, in which they lived, by this term?


  because each city considered themselves completelyseparateandindependentfrom the others
• *How long did the Mycenaean age last?

  What is this period known as?

  from approximately1600BC - 1150BCtheBronze Age
• *Complications with the Mycenaean Age


  - hard to be exact with dates, asnothing can be precisely dated- the Mycenaean civilisation is very similar to theMinoan Civilisationwhich came just before it, so it ishard to distinguish from which objects came
• *What are the 3 phases historians have divided the Mycenaean era into?

  -theearlyperiod:burialsmade in shaft graves-thepalatialperiod:greatpalacesreached their peak-thelaterperiod:palacesabandoned or destroyed
• *Why have historians sub-divided the Mycenaean Age into different periods?


  allows us to examine the developments and changes in the society over time
• *Mycenae Key Facts


  - most famous city in the mycenaean age- home ofAgamemnonin mythology-best preserved siteof the age, containing significant quantities ofgold- reached peak between1400-1200BC
• *Mycenae Location


  - city is built on ahill-perimeterof around900m-hillsto the north and south >> easy to see enemies-ravinessurround the plain on 3 sides-springless than 400m away >> washing, cleaning, drinking
• *1. Who did the Greeks think first founded Mycenae?

  2. Who is it believed he was given help by and why?

  3. Why might the greeks have wanted to believe that their mythological heroes founded their cities?

  1. Perseus2. theCyclopes, as they did not think any humans could have built such huge structures without help3. a sense ofhonourand shows thegods are on the side of the city
• *Tiryns Key Facts


  - located10 milesfrom Mycenae- built on ahill18mabove land- strong walls- thought to be the birth place ofHeracles
• *Troy Key Facts


  - sight of thetrojan war- found inNW Turkey-rebuilt several timeswith each version built on top of the previous one- important site in mycenaean age
• * Sight of Mycenaebuilt:location:materials:significance:built:17th - 11th century BClocation:northeast Peloponnese, Greecematerials:limestone and conglomerate blockssignificance:contains important tombs and frescoes
• *Features of Mycenae [10]

  - palace at the top of the hill

  - large terraces at the sides of the hill

  - north and south sally ports

  - corbelling

  - underground cistern

  - walls

  - grave circle b

  - grave circle a

  - the lion gate

  - tholos tombs (tomb of clytemnestra and aegisthus, treasury of atreus)
• * The Layout and Structure of MycenaePalace at the top of the hillPurpose:- safest place in the city

  - easy to see enemies
• * The Layout and Structure of MycenaeLarge terraces at the sides of the hillPurpose:- provides storage areas for people living there
• * The Layout and Structure of MycenaeNorth and south sally portsPurpose:How big was it?- opening through which you would make an attack on an unsuspecting enemy

  - 2.5m high

  
• * The Layout and Structure of MycenaeCorbellingDefinitionPurpose:Examples where this technique is used- a technique used tospan a gap between 2 wallsby placing increasinglylarge blocks of stoneon each other- a way of building to withstand earthquakes-e.g. tomb of atreus, underground cistern
• * The Layout and Structure of MycenaeUnderground cisternPurpose:Extra info:- place where they would collect water- had acorbelledroof
• * The Layout and Structure of MycenaeWallsWhat are they known as and why?First building:Final perimeter:Thickness:Block material and transportation:- known as the cyclopean walls as they were thought to be made by cyclopes as only superhuman strength could build these- built in1360BC-900maround the city-5.5-7.5mthick- blocks made of limestone as its easy to craft. transported boulders on rolling platforms
• * The Layout and Structure of MycenaeGrave Circle BLocation:Number of graves:Date:Purpose:Stelai:-200m Westof the city walls- 24 graves-17th-16th century(early period)- used for burying members of the royal family- 35 bodies found with stelai
• * The Layout and Structure of MycenaeGrave Circle ALocation:Size:Purpose:Findings:Similarities and differences to grave circle B:- south west of the city. outside of the city originally, however in1350it was brought into the city- 28m diameter- buried with treasure so we know it was for burying royals- sword with a picture of a hunt, 6 grave shafts found- shaft is deeper than grave circle B
• * The Layout and Structure of MycenaeTholos TombsWhat are the 2 Tholos tombs found in Mycenae?1. Tombs of Clytemnestra (wife of agamemenon) and Aegisthus

  2. Treasury of Atreus
• * The Layout and Structure of MycenaeTholos TombsLocation:Size:Treasure:- tomb of clytemnestra and aegisthus locatednext to grave circle bas too big to built in the city- treasury of atreus located1/2 mile from the city

  - 13m diameter, 13m height- any treasure robbed in ancient times

  
• * The Layout and Structure of MycenaeThe Lion Gate1. What does the lion gate depict?2. Purpose:3. What 2 components is the gate made up of?4. What feature were included in the jambs and why?5. Materials:6. What is the lion relief made of and why?1. depicts 2 lions resting on an altar

  2. - altar shows the city had the support of the gods

  - a way to show bravery and intimidate enemies

  - symbolises power

  - enemies can be trapped easily

  3. lintel (top) and jambs (side)

  4. holes in the jambs to put a gate in

  5. gate made of conglomerate as its tough

  6. relief made of limestone as easy to carve
• * Sight of TirynsBuilt:Location:Significance:- built 15h-13th century BC

  - East Peloponnese, Greece

  - contains an important palace and throne room, frescoes and treasure
• * Features of Tiryns [7]- walls

  - cyclopean ramp

  - gates

  - west wall

  - palace

  - galleries

  - tholos tombs
• * Sight of TirynsWallsBuilt by:Size:Why were the walls needed?- thought to be built by the Cyclopes

  - 7m high and originally 10m high

  
  

  - tiryns was only 18m above ground and not on a hill. hence, needed to be better defended

  
• * Sight of TirynsCyclopean rampLocation:Purpose:- located on the eastern side of the city

  
  

  - can see people as theyre going up

  - people are easier to attack

  - draws attention to the power of the city

  
• * Sight of TirynsGatesSize:Special features:Purpose:- 3m high and 3m wide

  
  

  - 2 gates to the main part of the city

  - holes for the bolts to lock the gates

  
  

  - more security

  - channels enemies into a small space >> able to trap them and attack from above

  
• * Sight of TirynsWest wallDistinctive features:- deliberately curved wall >> gives defenders a more panoramic view

  - stairway leading to a narrow corridor
• * Sight of TirynsPalaceLocation:Special features:- located in the highest part of the city, where the walls are the thickest

  
  

  - 4 pillars surrounding the hearth

  - floor frescoes

  - polished limestone for baths

  - courtyards

  
• * Sight of TirynsGalleriesWhat technique was used to construct it?Length:Purpose:- roof constructed using corbelling

  
  

  - 30m long

  
  

  - soldiers able to get to the walls more easily

  - store weapons

  
• * Sight of TirynsTholos TombDistance from Tiryns:Size:Special feature:Construction:- 1/2 mile from Tiryns

  
  

  - 6m high 6m wide

  
  

  - contains an altar

  
  

  - natural contours on the side of a hill used in the construction

  - corbelling used