Mycenae

Next we toured Mycenae, the great hill-top capital of the Mycenaen world. More defensive architecture, monumental stone work, but a written language (linear B), and all the gods, heroes, and other figures of early western civilization...

Mycenae, set on a hill-top in the mountains, but just a few miles from the sea

The Lions' Gate



Closer-up

Alas, we walked around mostly in squalls, but there was a  nice rainbow in the 
distance 

Grave Circle A; when Schliemann dug his first hole at Mycenae, he hit here, 
a grave complex that yielded about 30 pounds of gold, including what 
Schliemann fancifully dubbed "Agamemnon's death mask"; he was about 
three centuries off, however

Descending, boldly, the ninety steps down to the cistern

Half-way down, rusted-out braces...not very

reassuring

The bottom

Another massive gate

Palace area near the top

Entrance to Clytemnestra's Tholos (very similar to Treasury of Atreus in 
structure and dimensions)

A last look at the great complex