Aegean Post 2

One major characteristic of architecture in Mycenae is their use of large boulders. As we discussed in class, later Greeks were perplexed as to how the people of Mycenae built these massive structures and with such large materials that they attributed it to the Cyclopes. One example we discussed was the Lion's Gate located at the entrance of Mycenae. 



Out of the myth of this entrance being built by a Cyclopes, the term cyclopean masonry was coined.The two felines above the entrance are thought to be lions, hence the name. Lions were thought to have been a sign of guardianship, which the people of Mycenae depended on due to their vulnerability of being a inland society. I believe that they used these massive boulders to deter invaders. If they led other societies outside Mycenae to believe that they had something inside the city walls that was capable of moving such boulders, perhaps they would think twice before invading. 


"Mycenae." Mycenae. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. <http://dkiel.com/GreeceTurkey/Mycenae/Mycenae.html>.

Here is another example we discussed in class. These Tholos Tombs were the first structures to use corbeled architecture. Ever since we discussed this topic I have kept an eye open to other buildings that resembled this type of architecture. I think back to an area in Nashville I use to live in and I can remember the roofs of homes using this method. I can assume that they didn't use the same methods in constructing those homes as the Mycenae people did but I'm sure there was some influence.