The ancient city of Mycenae

According to legend, the city of Mycenae was founded by Perseus, which later became one of the key centers of the Mycenaean civilization during the Bronze Age. It reached its peak between the 16th and 11th centuries B.C. Mycenae played a key role in the political, military and cultural life of ancient Greece, becoming a symbol of early Helladic culture. The history of Mycenae is closely connected with Greek mythology, especially with the legends of the heroes of the Trojan War (XII century B.C.) King Agamemnon of Mycenae together with his brother King Menelaus of Sparta, King Odysseus of Ithaca and the famous Achilles took part in the siege of Troy. Mycenaean architecture is striking in its monumentality, with special admiration for the cyclopean masonry used to build the massive city walls. According to legend, their construction was attributed to the Cyclopes themselves. One of the most famous symbols of Mycenae is the Lion Gate, which spectacularly decorates the entrance to the ancient city.The Mycenaean tombs are also well known for their impressive size and architecture. One of the most famous structures is the so-called Tomb of Atreus, a monumental structure with a huge stone dome. Archaeologists have discovered many tombs with golden masks, weapons and jewelry, one of the most famous finds being the golden mask of Agamemnon. The decline of the Mycenaean civilization is attributed to the Dorian invasion. After that, the city began to gradually decline and after the defeat in 468 BC in the war with Argos was completely abandoned. Today, the artifacts found during the excavations are preserved in an archaeological museum. These finds, including jewelry, weapons, pottery and everyday objects, reveal the rich history and culture of the Mycenaeans, as well as their influence on the further development of ancient Greek civilization.