ANCIENT MYCENAE

The Ancient Site of Mycenae

The site of Ancient Mycenae dates back to between the 14th and 13th centuries BC, is situated on a hill around 50m above sea level and covered some 30,000m2. Referred to by Homer as "Golden Mycenae", it was the most important and the richest palace during the Bronze age. Its name was given to one of the greatest civilisations of the Greek world, the Mycenaean civilisation.

Traditionally believed to have been founded by Perseus, Mycenae then passed on to his descendants after which the Mycenaeans chose Atreus to reign as their King (around 1250 BC), who was father to Agamemnon and Menelaos. Agamemnon was believed to have been not only King of Mycenae but also King of all the Ancient Kings and it was he who led the expedition to Troy to recapture Helen. On his return he was murdered by his wife Clytemnestra! The prosperity of Mycenae is not in dispute and in the graves of the Acropolis 15 kilos of gold artifacts were found, magnificent funeral masks, jewellery showing amazing craftmanship, swords, daggers with richly inlaid scenes on their blades, ivory sculpture and fragments of frescoes.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Mycenae is situated on a hill and is best visited early morning during the hot summer months.

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