Mycenaean culture was opened by the study of ancient Greek myths and the immortal poems of Homer.Following them, H. Schliemann and A. Evans revealed to the world the amazing treasures of the ancient world, long considered myths.A special place among the monuments of this ancient culture occupy the tombs of Mycenae and Knossos.
Palace of Minos
Cities of Crete known for its ancient palaces.Archaeologists have discovered the ruins of Knossos, Gurney, Festus, Mali and Kato Zaro.But the most outstanding monument of Cretan architecture has become the palace of Minos at Knossos located.For many Mycenaean culture associated with this structure.Its history is inextricably linked to the legends of poluchelovek-polubyk Minotaur, King Minos Greek hero Theseus and.
area of the palace of Knossos was 16 thousand. Sqm.It is a complicated jumble of different rooms, so the Greeks seemed "Labyrinth", from which it was impossible to get out.Minos Palace was built in the 2nd millennium BC.It was built over several centuries.In the center it is a vast construction was the courtyard, which had a ritual function.Adjoining rooms with numerous terraces, colonnades, galleries, staircases and pools.
front rooms include a large and small "Tron" halls and rooms for religious services.In the women's part of a treasury, a reception room, bathroom and many other facilities.The palace was the sewerage network serving bathrooms, swimming pools and toilets.How was the original Mycenaean culture can be understood by examining the details of the palace of Knossos.In particular, you can see the amazing "irrational" column.Most buildings of the ancient peoples of the colonies expanded from top to bottom, and in the palace of Minos, on the contrary, is shrinking.Furthermore, they were decorated with a zigzag pattern.Inside the walls of the palace were covered with colorful images and designs in the form of flexible spiral curls or waves.
Tombs of Mycenae
Mycenaean culture stands out for its funerary art.So, far from the Mycenaean palace is a royal necropolis, built in the 16th century BC.e.It consists of several shaft tombs in which were buried members of the royal family.Most of the tombs are rectangular in shape.They found stylized golden mask transmission characteristics of the rulers of Mycenae.World fame gained mask of Agamemnon, one of the protagonists of the Iliad.Also found were female diadem with a wide ribbon and high beams.Their ornament testified Mycenaean queens communication with the gods-luminaries.
The Mycenaean tombs, archaeologists found a bronze daggers with handles inlaid with various drawings.In particular, scenes of hunting, waterfowl, running lions, starry sky.Furthermore, gold rings were discovered printing.We should also recall the vessels of gold, silver and electrum.The Achaeans believed such vessels are key to the future of revival of the dead.Some of them are in the form of animal or bull horn.
Despite great achievements in various fields, Mycenaean culture, like many others, was a victim of the degradation.Modern scholars associate it with the weakening of the unknown catastrophe that occurred between 1250 and 1190 years.BC.e.
