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The area of Athens is inhabited since the prehistoric
times. Archaeology has brought to light findings dating from 4000 B.C. The centre
of this continuous inhabitation was the area of the Agora and of course, the
Acropolis.
Almost nothing is known for the prehellenic population of the area. But with the
arrival of the first Greek tribes (c.1600 B.C.) there is a notable building
activity.
These Greek tribes, the Mycenaeans, brought into Athens the two most
important elements of their poleodomy. The fortified acropolis and the palace (anáktoron).
Thus, the hill of the Acropolis was fortified with a cyclopean wall (like the
one in Mycenae) and inside the wall they built a big palace.
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Top view of the Acropolis
around 1200 B.C. The wall and the palace are clearly visible. |
This wall, known as Pelasgian, or Pelargian, is still partially visible
near the Propylaea while many of its parts are conserved under the later
additions. It was the main defensive structure until the end of the archaic
times. It had two entrances: a north one and a west one. The latter, where today stand
the Propylaea, was protected by another wall with 9
gates, the "enneápylon" (the "ninegate") that according to Thucydides existed
even during the Persian invasion in Athens in 480 B.C.
From the Mycenaean palace on the Acropolis only a few traces were left.
It is known that was in the area where the Erechteum stands today. This
anáktoron was probably destroyed from a physical disaster (fire or
earthquake) during the 10th century B.C. as according to
the myth, the Doric invasions never succeeded to conquer Athens like the other
cities. The ruins and the relics found by the archaic Athenians in the site of
the palace must have been rich and with probably the discovery of a rich
Mycenaean tomb, the legend of the first king of Athens, Kekrops was created.
Since then, Kekrops was worshiped in this very place making this spot the most
sacred place in Athens.
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Hypothetical reconstruction of the palace as it would
have appeared
from the north. |
An exact reconstruction of the Mycenaean palace is impossible. The
following images were created by following the remaining traces of the
foundations, that make us assume some things, like the big square court and
some other buildings.
To see the
images in full screen, just click on them!
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The Mycenaean Acropolis from
northwest. The cyclopean Pelargikón wall and the palace are
visible. |
View from
southwest. |
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The
south slope of the Acropolis where the Theatre of Dionysos and
the Herodeum will be constructed later on. On the top of the
hill is the palace (anáktoron). |
The
main gate of the wall. During later years the temple of Athena
Nike was constructed on top of the rectangular tower in the
foreground. This part of the wall is still preserved under the
temple. |
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Aerial
view of the Mycenaean Mégaron of the Acropolis.
The Mégaron was the most
important building of the palace complex. It was the center of
the city's government and base of the king.
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Possible reconstruction of
the Mégaron's entrance. It probably wasn't much different
from the other Mycenaean Mégara like the one discovered in
Mycenae. |
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