mycenae Photos

MYCENAE is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Mycenae was one of the most important cultural and military centres of ancient Greek civilization, Mycenaean civilization dominating the South of Greece and the East Mediterranean world between the 17th and 12th centuries BC – with a major impact on the development of classic Greek culture and architecture, as well as European culture. Also, Mycenae was a great source of inspiration for the great ancient playwrights and writers, some of the works having an over three millenia impact on European art and literature – such as Homer’s Illiad and Odyssey.

New techniques were implemented in the construction of the Mycenae fortress, such the console triangle used at the Lions’ Gate. This technique became very widely spread afterwards.

Founded by Perseus (who was married to Andromeda), Mycenae was the seat of king Agamemnon and the starting point of the famous war that led to the destruction of Troy.

The war was led by Agamemnon, king of Mycenae, as a result of Helen’s betrayal of his brother Menelaus, king of Sparta. The two brothers, Agamemnon and Menelaus, were married to the daughters of Tyndareus of Sparta, Helen and Clytemnestra. Helen betrayed her husband and ran away with Paris, son of Priam, king of Troy – which led to an entire series of drama, death and destruction. The citadel of Troy was destroyed as a result of this 10-year war, led by Agamemnon in order to avenge his brother’s honour and bring his wife back. Upon returning home victoriously, Agamemnon was killed by his own wife Clytemnestra, who detested her sister Helen for her character and who also could not get over the fact that her husband sacrificed their own daughter Iphigenia to the gods, to win the war caused by Helen’s betrayal. Clytemnestra was helped by Aegistheus, who also took over the throne of Mycenae, but Orestes, son of Agamemnon, killed them both – and then lost his mind, so he did not become king. Aegistheus’ son is the next king. Orestes kills him too eventually, and gains power, but he in his turn will die, bitten by a snake.

Mycenae remains a special place to this day, the memory of ancient tragedy lingering among its ruins.