Mycenae

The German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann uncovered the ancient city of Mycenae in 1874. Mycenae was inhabited since Neolithic times (about 4000 B.C.) and the Mycenaen culture dominated the Bronze Age in Greece (from 1600 to 1100 B.C.). The ancient acropolis of Mycenae was protected by Cyclopean walls, some which can be seen in the photo.

Mycenae

Mycenae

To enter the ancient city, you walk through the Lion Gate.

Mycenae

Mycenae

Close–up of the lions at the top of the Lion Gate.

Mycenae

Mycenae

Back of the gate.

Mycenae

Mycenae

Grave Circle A. Schliemann unearthed funerary artifacts in the shaft graves in this circle, including the one in the next photo which I already put on this site under a description of the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, where most of the artifacts found in Mycenae are now located.

Mycenae

Mycenae

Schliemann was very excited about this funerary mask, which he named the Death Mask of Agamemnon, as he believed that it was the funerary mask of the Mycenaean King Agamemnon that Homer wrote about, thus proving that Agamemnon was a real person. Homer wrote that Agamemnon led the Greek forces in the Trojan Wars and came home victorious, but soon afterward he was murdered by his wife and her lover. Later it was proved that this funerary mask could not have been that of Agamemnon as it dated back to before the Trojan Wars.

Mycenae

Mycenae

View of the valley below the ruins with early morning shadows of my tour group.

Mycenae

Mycenae

Note the ruins in the middle of the photo. These were various parts of the acropolis, such as the Ramp House, House of the Warrior Vase, and the Cult Center (according to one of my guidebooks).

Mycenae

Mycenae

Close–up of the these ruins.

Mycenae

Mycenae

Walking up the hill to the Royal Palace (also called the Palace of Agamemnon). It was a long strenuous walk to the top of the hill, although the pathway was smooth except for some steps we had to negogiate coming back down. You can see the bus in the photo parked where we started our climb.

Mycenae

Mycenae

Ruins of the Royal Palace.

Mycenae

Mycenae

More ruins.

Mycenae

Mycenae

Olive tree on top of the hill.

Mycenae

Mycenae

The olives.

Mycenae

Mycenae

Entrance to the ancient cistern. You can climb down to it.

Mycenae

Mycenae

One more view of Mycenae. Mycenae was abandoned in 1100 B.C.

Mycenae

Treasury of Atreus

Close–by the acropolis are two well–preserved beehive tombs. We visited the one called the Treasury of Atreus. Atreus, dating back to about 1250–1400 B.C. Atreus was Agamemmon’s heir to be King of Mycenae. A Mycenaen king was buried inside the tomb along with weapons, food, and drink. The entrance to the tomb is through a “dromos”––an open–air corridor. The beehive tomb was covered over with dirt.

Treasury of Atreus

Treasury of Atreus

Inside the beehive tomb. It is 43 feet (13 meters) high.

Treasury of Atreus

Treasury of Atreus

The ossuary or second chamber in the tomb. It contained bones from previous burials.

Treasury of Atreus

Treasury of Atreus

Leaving the tomb.

Treasury of Atreus

Amforeas Pottery Store

After leaving Mycenae, we visited a pottery store which had an excellent selection of museum–reproduction pottery and other items. The store’s name was Amforeas. Some of the items for sale.

Amforeas Pottery Store

Amforeas Pottery Store

More items for sale.

Amforeas Pottery Store

Amforeas Pottery Store

More items for sale.

Amforeas Pottery Store

Amforeas Pottery Store

I bought these items in the photo at Amforeas. I had not seen such nice items in Athens and only saw the Cycladic figures in Athens at much higher prices. I had them shipped to my home. Three of the statues arrived broken into pieces and four of the small vases arrived chipped. I contacted Amforeas about the breakage and they promised to resend replacements for the broken items. I received an update e–mail today that the items have been resent and should arrive soon.

Amforeas Pottery Store

Greek Countryside

Old Greek house passed on our journey across the Peloponnese from Mycenae to Olympia. We ate lunch at a restaurant along our route.

Greek Countryside

Lake at Kaiafas

We stopped at the lake at Kaiafas on our way to Olympia. Kaiafas is about 10 miles from Olympia. There is a healing spa at Kaiafas. Mineral waters high in sulfur spew out of crevices of two caves, which have curing power such as for arthritis. We dipped our hands in the water––it was warm. The lake is also very pretty, especially with the hill’s reflection in the water.

Lake at Kaiafas

Olympia

Our overnight stop was in Olympia, the site of the first Greek Olympics. We were to visit the Olympia complex tomorrow. We had some time in the city of Olympia for browsing in the shops. Photo of the shopping street.

Olympia

Olympia

One of the shops.

Olympia

Olympia

After dinner at our hotel (another Amalia hotel), Marie, Janet, and I took a taxi back to the town as Janet wanted to use a public telephone to call home. Marie and I went inside the Apollo jewelry shop, recommended by our tour guide Sandra. After pricing items that I thought attractive in jewelry windows, I know knew to ask what the store had at a price I was willing to pay for a piece of jewelry and then see if I liked anything at that price. George Galanis, one of the owners, showed me a bracelet that I very much liked at a price that I was willing to pay and I bought it. He also gave Marie and I a postcard each of scenes from the Olympic torch being lit in Olympia for the 1996 Olympic games. This photo is a scan of the postcard and shows one of the “priestesses” handing the torch to the very first torchbearer for the 1996 Olympic games.

Olympia

Olympia

This photo is a scan of the postcard showing the Olympic torchbearer running with the torch, with George on the right. He also autographed the back of the postcards for us. I now have a very nice special souvenir of my trip to Greece.

Olympia