Mycenea

Greetings,

The ancient city of Mycenae was once thought to exist only in ancient Greek legend and the epic poetry of Homer. It wasn't until 1870 that an amateur archaeologist named Heinrich Schliemann found the fabled city. Many people doubted that he would find such a city, but using only landmarks from the text of Homers Iliad, Schliemann uncovered the remains of a once thriving civilization.






The city of Mycenae was the center of a large and powerful Mycenaean Greek civilization, which existed from circa 1900 B.C.E. to circa 1125 B.C.E.



The Mycenaean people were known to be warriors who lived for heroic battles.


Mycenaean traders had an extensive trade network with neighboring civilizations.

Here's Harry under the Lion's Head Gate...

The "Lions" of Mycenae

The two felines are actually lionesses comprising the triangular lion gate, one of the most recognizable icons of world architecture, still seem to be roaring in unison, probably announcing the unexpected approach of so many ill-armed visitors.

There are many imported and domestic artifacts found in Mycenae. Most artifacts have been found in shaft graves, many of them excavated by Schliemann and his crew. One of the most famous and one of the first artifacts to be found is the so-called death mask of Agamemnon. It is a thin gold mask which was buried with the ancient king. Legend says that Agamemnon is the Mycenaean Greek king who led his troops into battle against Troy, which eventually was sacked.



When Schliemann found the mask, he wrote to the king of Greece, "Today I have looked on the face of Agamemnon."

Here's Gaven coming out of a dark damp cistern.

Another successful adventure with the Barker's... tomorrow we travel to Delphi.

Blessings to those finding a solid gold mask in their backyard,

Kristie