The Beehive Tomb
One of the most remarkable monuments at Mycenae is the tomb often linked with King Agamemnon, the legendary leader of the Greeks in the Trojan War. The structure is shaped like a giant beehive and rises nearly fifty feet high. Built underground with massive stones, it is one of the finest examples of ancient Greek masonry. Inside, the tomb gives the impression of a small temple, carefully designed to honor a powerful ruler.
The Tomb of Clytemnestra
Close to the so-called tomb of Agamemnon stands another vaulted chamber, thought to have been the resting place of Queen Clytemnestra. Whether these identifications are exact or not, the tombs remain striking remains of a civilization that flourished long before classical Athens The Pass of Thermopylae.
Excavations by Schliemann
The ruins of Mycenae gained world attention in the 19th century when the archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, famous for uncovering the city of Troy, led major excavations. Together with Greek archaeologists, he revealed the palace ruins, royal tombs, and many treasures. These discoveries proved that the stories of Homer and Greek mythology were rooted in a real and powerful civilization. Today, Mycenae is one of the most fascinating sites in Greece, visited by thousands each year.
Olympia: The Center of Ancient Games
Location and Setting
On the western side of the Peloponnesus lies Olympia, the sacred ground where the famous Olympic Games were held. It can be reached from the port of Patras by railway, which makes the journey easier than traveling directly from Athens. Unlike other ancient cities, Olympia was never a town with citizens and homes. Instead, it was a great religious and cultural center filled with temples, shrines, theaters, palaces, and public halls.
Origins of the Games
According to legend, Hercules himself founded the Olympic Games in the distant mythical past. For more than a thousand years, Greeks from every city, island, and colony gathered there to compete in athletic contests. The games were partly religious ceremonies in honor of Zeus, but over time they became a festival of unity for all Greeks Private Tour Istanbul.
Growth and Importance
The first recorded Olympic Games were held in 776 B.C., and lists of victors were carefully kept for centuries. The events lasted five days, and the winners gained fame, honor, and lasting privileges. They were celebrated at public banquets, exempted from taxes, and remembered in history. After the Persian Wars, the games became even more important, symbolizing the strength and unity of Greece.
The Roman Period and Decline
During Roman times, emperors such as Tiberius and Nero even competed in the games. However, by the third century A.D., the contests declined in value. Professional athletes turned them into a trade rather than a noble celebration of strength and skill. Finally, in 394 A.D., the Christian emperor Theodosius abolished the Olympic Games, considering them pagan.
Excavations at Olympia
Rediscovery by German Archaeologists
Centuries later, Olympia lay buried under fifteen to twenty feet of sand and gravel brought down by floods and storms from the nearby mountains. In the 19th century, German archaeologists began large-scale excavations, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars. They uncovered the ruins of temples, palaces, the stadium, and the hippodrome.
Results of the Excavations
The discoveries drew excitement similar to that of Pompeii, though Olympia yielded fewer works of art. Still, the findings revealed the layout of the sacred site and confirmed the historical importance of the games. Today, Olympia is one of the key archaeological and tourist attractions of Greece, linking the modern Olympic movement to its ancient roots.
