8.3 Mycenaean Art: Citadels, Tholos Tombs, and Metalwork

Mycenaean architecture and art showcase a warrior culture's ingenuity and power. Hilltop citadels with massive walls and intricate water systems protected inhabitants, while tholos tombs displayed engineering prowess. These structures reflect the society's focus on defense and prestige.

Mycenaean metalwork and iconography celebrated warfare, hunting, and mythological themes. Gold death masks, intricate weapons, and ornate jewelry demonstrated exceptional craftsmanship. While sharing some elements with Minoan and Cycladic art, Mycenaean creations developed a distinct style that influenced later Greek artistry.

Mycenaean Architecture and Fortifications

Features of Mycenaean architecture

Top images from around the web for Features of Mycenaean architecture

• 

  Greece-0867 | The Tholos - Circular building in Doric order,… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Greece-0867 | The Tholos - Circular building in Doric order,… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 1

Top images from around the web for Features of Mycenaean architecture

• 

  Greece-0867 | The Tholos - Circular building in Doric order,… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Greece-0867 | The Tholos - Circular building in Doric order,… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 1

• Mycenaean citadels
  • Hilltop locations provided strategic defense against invaders
  • Massive stone walls used Cyclopean masonry with large, irregular limestone blocks fitted tightly without mortar (Tiryns, Mycenae)
  • Main entrance gates incorporated monumental sculptures (Lion Gate at Mycenae)
  • Megaron served as central hall with hearth and four columns, functioned as throne room for ruler
  • Storage rooms and workshops within citadel supported economic activities
  • Cisterns and underground water systems ensured water supply during sieges
• Tholos tombs
  • Beehive-shaped burial chambers reflected advanced engineering
  • Corbeled dome construction used layers of stone blocks placed in gradually smaller circles for stability
  • Long entrance passage (dromos) led to burial chamber
  • Triangular relieving triangle above entrance distributed weight of structure
  • Stone-lined burial pit in floor held remains and grave goods
  • Used for elite burials and as family tombs over generations (Treasury of Atreus)

Mycenaean Artistic Achievements

Iconography in Mycenaean metalwork

• Gold death masks
  • Hammered gold sheets with facial features captured individualized portraits of deceased rulers (Mask of Agamemnon)
  • Reflected belief in preserving identity after death
• Weapons and armor
  • Bronze swords with intricate inlays showcased metalworking skills
  • Boar's tusk helmets combined practicality with cultural symbolism
  • Decorative dagger blades depicted hunting scenes in miniature detail (Mycenae Dagger)
• Jewelry and personal adornments
  • Gold signet rings featured miniature scenes of religious or mythological significance
  • Necklaces and diadems incorporated intricate designs using granulation and filigree techniques
• Drinking vessels
  • Gold and silver cups with relief decoration displayed wealth and craftsmanship (Cup of Nestor)
  • Vapor Ware technique produced thin-walled vessels demonstrating advanced metalworking
• Iconography themes
  • Warfare and hunting scenes reflected warrior culture
  • Animal motifs (lions, bulls, octopi) symbolized power and nature
  • Geometric patterns and spirals showed artistic continuity with earlier Aegean cultures

Mycenaean vs Minoan and Cycladic art

• Similarities with Minoan art
  • Use of precious metals for luxury items demonstrated shared appreciation for wealth display
  • Some shared motifs (marine life, spirals) indicated cultural exchange
  • Fresco painting techniques in palaces suggested artistic influence
• Differences from Minoan art
  • Mycenaean focus on warfare and hunting themes reflected mainland society
  • Less naturalistic, more stylized representations developed distinct artistic identity
  • Emphasis on fortified architecture highlighted different societal priorities
• Cycladic influence
  • Abstract human figurines possibly inspired some Mycenaean sculptural forms
  • Use of marble in sculpture, though less prominent in Mycenaean contexts
• Artistic exchange
  • Adoption of Minoan artistic techniques showed cultural interaction
  • Development of distinct Mycenaean style over time asserted independent identity
  • Influence on later Greek art, especially in metalwork, created artistic legacy
• Cultural context
  • Mycenaean art reflected mainland warrior culture through martial themes
  • Minoan art showed peaceful, nature-oriented society in contrast
  • Cycladic art emphasized simplicity and abstraction, influencing later styles