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In the north-eastern region of the Peloponnese is the small triangular
seaside plain known as the Argolid. It gives the impression of a completely
separate, protected, self-sufficient world as it is hemmed by mountains
in the north and the west but its eastern part is surrounded on three
sides by the sea. It was the ideal place for the development of civilization
and it was inhabited very early in the prehistoric period.
In the 15th and 14th centuries BC the Argolid was the center of Greek
civilization under the rule of the Mycenaeans. As Homer narrates in
his famous epic poem, the Iliad, Agamemnon was the leader of the Greeks
during their expedition against Troy.
At the northern edge of the “horse-breeding” plain of Argos
is the citadel of Mycenae, built on a site that commanded the plain
stretching southwards to the sea and the mountain Pass of Dervenakia.
The palace stood on the summit of the hill and the ruling family at
Mycenae was the accursed House of Atreus, including Agamemnon, Menelaos,
Klytaimnestra, Orestes, Elektra and Iphigenia, the principal figures
of later Greek tragedy.
In 1874 a German amateur archaeologist called Heinrich Schliemann, based
on the Homeric epics, began a series of excavations in the area of the
Mycenean acropolis and he brought to light the remains of a bright new
civilization of the prehistoric age, proving Homer to be right about
his description of Mycenae as rich in gold.
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When you visit Mycenae you can see the huge walls, which the descendants
of the Myceneans referred to as “Cyclopean” believing
that they had been built by the Cyclopes, a race of giants.
You can see the impressive Lion Gate, the main entrance to the fortress,
the royal graves and you can enjoy a spectacular view from the site
of the palace on top of the hill. One of the greatest achievements
of the Mycenean civilization are the beehive tombs which used to have
plenty of valuable grave goods and so they were called treasuries.
Don’t miss the treasury of Atreus, the best of the nine tholos
or beehive tombs that were excavated in the area.
Another acropolis or citadel of the Mycenean times that you can visit
is the acropolis of Tiryns, 17 km from Mycenae. Homer describes Tiryns
as the ‘wall-girt city” and you can still see the fortification
walls and the well-preserved tunnels in the east wall of the acropolis.
The visit of Mycenae will offer you an unforgettable experience as
you will travel back to the second millenium BC to the time when all
the great Greek myths were born and you will relive in your mind the
tragic fate of Agamemnon and Clytaimnestra, of Orestes and Electra
and you will probably want to read “the Oresteia” of Sophocles
in the tranquility of Mycenae late in the afternoon.
The best place to stay in order to explore Mycenae is the beautiful
town of Nafplion in the Argolic Gulf, 24 km from Mycenae.
© Copyright 2004 Third Wave Travel
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