Mycenae facts for kids
|
Μυκῆναι
Μυκήνη |
|
The Lion Gate at Mycenae, the only known monumental sculpture of Bronze Age Greece
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Location | Argolis, Greece |
|---|---|
| Type | Settlement |
| History | |
| Periods | Bronze Age |
| Cultures | Ancient Greece |
| Official name | Archaeological Sites of Mycenae and Tiryns |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | i, ii, iii, iv, vi |
| Designated | 1999 (23rd session) |
| Reference no. | 941 |
| State Party | Greece |
| Region | Europe and North America |
Mycenae (in Greek, Mykēnai or Mykēnē) is an amazing archaeological site in Greece. It is about 90 kilometers (56 miles) southwest of Athens. You can find it in the northeastern part of the Peloponnese region.
Around 3,000 years ago, in the second millennium BC, Mycenae was one of the most important cities in early Greek civilization. It was known for its strong army. The period of Greek history from about 1600 BC to 1100 BC is even named after it: Mycenaean Greece.
Contents
Life in Ancient Mycenae
The people of Mycenae, called Mycenaeans, learned many things from other lands. By 1400 BC, they were famous for their art, literature, and philosophy. Their main city, Mycenae, was just north of what later became the city of Corinth.
Building Strong Walls
Around 1300 BC, the king of Mycenae built huge walls to protect the city. These walls were about 7 meters (23 feet) wide and 18 meters (60 feet) high. The stone blocks used to build them were incredibly large.
One special building technique they used was a corbel arch. This is where each stone sticks out a little further than the one below it. A triangle shape was also used to help support the arch. The famous Lion Gate, which was the main entrance to the city, is a great example of this. People still admire it today!
Daily Life of the Mycenaeans
Most people lived in their own houses outside the palace walls. But if there was danger, they could go inside the strong palace walls for safety. Their houses were usually shaped like long rectangles. They had flat roofs and front porches.
Mycenaeans had many different jobs. Some were cooks or doctors. Others worked as carpenters, tailors, or woodcutters. Many also made textiles, which are fabrics.
They were also good farmers. They grew many crops and raised animals like oxen, sheep, pigs, and goats. The Mycenaeans were also skilled at building. They made good roads and bridges.
The Mycenaean Army
Mycenae had a very strong army. Archaeologists have found many weapons from this time. These include spears and javelins. They also found many swords, both big and small. These swords were used for both cutting and stabbing.
Why Mycenae Declined
By 1200 BC, the power of Mycenae started to fade. The city's eventual destruction was part of a bigger event called the Bronze Age collapse. This happened across the Greek mainland and other areas.
Within a short time, all the palaces in southern Greece were burned down. This included the palace at Mycenae. We don't know for sure what caused this big collapse. It might have been invasions, natural disasters, or other problems.
Mycenaean Religion
The people of Mycenae built shrines to worship their gods. Poseidon, the god of the sea, was a very important god to them. Zeus, who was seen as the "protector of the sky," was also worshipped.
They also worshipped other gods and goddesses. These included Apollo, Artemis, and Hera. Many of these gods later became part of the wider Greek religion.
Images for kids
-
A view of the citadel, or high city.
-
The Tomb of Aegisthus outside the walls of the citadel.
-
Another view from the acropolis.
-
A close-up of the Lion Gate. Two lionesses or lions stand on either side of a central column.
-
A look at the huge "Cyclopean masonry" stones on the back of the Lion Gate.
-
A clay tablet from Mycenae with writing in Linear B.
_NAMA_Tablette_7671.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Micenas para niños
