Mycenae

Wednesday, I again braved the sheer lunacy that is Athens traffic to go south, to the Peloponnese peninsula; to ancient Mycenae to be more precise. Once there, I could not muster the strength to climb all the way to the top, so my photographic loot is less than complete. Still, the surroundings are beautiful, as is most of Greece.

The citadel. Once, this city held 30,000 people.


Looks a lot like California, right?


There be purdy mountains.


Lots of 'em in fact.


The sea.


The Cyclopean wall from around 1,350 BC. So called because legend had it, the builders of the city had employed cyclopes to make it.


The famous Lion Gate. Built around 1,250 BC if I'm not mistaken. The two lions on top have long since lost their heads.


Just inside the gate is the granary.


The road not taken.


Women had a much more active position in old Mycenae than in later day classic Athens, where they were largely confined to their homes. Also, the art itself is clearly influenced by the Minoan culture, with whom they traded.


There be gold in dem dar hills. The first civilization at Mycenae collapsed sometime in the 12th century BC; the reason why is not known; possibly an invasion by the "Sea Peoples".


Solid handcraft.