Mycenae

In the heart of the Peloponnese, just one and a half hours from Athens, lie the ruins of what was once the capital of a military power that dominated a large part of Greece and an important cultural center influencing the wider Mediterranean region.

Mycenae, after which a whole historical era was named, was the military base and homeland of Mycenaean Kings.

One was immortalized in Homer’s Iliad: the mythical Agamemnon was the all-powerful king who united Greeks leading them in the famous 10-year Trojan War.

We can visit his homeland and walk among the ruins of his once-dominant capital.The splendor of his kingdom is still evident in Mycenae, a castle-palace perched on the top of a Peloponnese hill.

Most of the tombs and mausoleums were buried deep in the bosom of Peloponnese land.

Safely hidden from plunderers in search of Mycenaean gold, waiting for Heinrich Schliemann’s excavations to wake them from two millennia of dormancy bringing them to light for all to see and marvel.

From this acropolis, the mighty kings could see miles away, inspect their rich provinces, and foresee any enemy assaults. What is particularly striking even for the modern visitor, apart from the breathtaking view of the Peloponnese countryside, is the enormity of the structure.

People came to believe that the huge brick walls were built by the mythic Cyclops, giants of super-human dimensions and strength.

Albeit somewhat violent actions, the Mycenaens were religious people, respectful of the King as a mediator between them and the Gods. 

The King was revered and respected by all even after his death. Fortunately for history, Mycenaens took special care when burying their kings, laying them to rest in tombs full of funeral offerings and gifts to ease their passage to the next world.