aegean architecture

AEGEAN ARCHITECTURE 

- Early Architectural Practices 

- Minoan Architecture - 1600 to 1500 BC 

•  Aegean Sea influenced seafaring activities and influenced  “thalassoclacy” or naval empire. 

• Minoans had decentralized authority, with each area led by a local ruler.

• They were pleasure-loving, fond of vibrant colors, games, and elegant clothes.

• Crete’s isolation from Mesopotamia and Egypt allowed cultural independence.

Palace of King Minos, Knossos, Crete (1600-1400 BC)

• The decentralized administration of the Minoans led to the construction of multiple palaces.

• Many palaces reflected the Minoans' fun-loving culture.

• The Palace of King Minos in Crete has several rooms and structures surrounding a central courtyard (52 x 275 meters).

• Some courtyards were used for recreational activities like bull-leaping.

• The throne room (no. 8) served as the main reception for the king, accessible from the main courtyard.

• Lower-level magazines (no. 10) stored food and oil in jars and containers.

- Mycenaean Architecture - Starting from 1500 BC spanning for 700 years  

• The Mycenaeans had uncertain origins but occupied the Greek mainland.

• Their culture flourished around 1500 BC and was influenced by Crete and Egypt.

• Known for palace architecture, their citadels were more defensive than Minoan palaces, reflecting their militaristic nature.

• The megaron was a central unit in Mycenaean palaces, emphasizing protection against invaders.

The megaron is the main domestic unit of an Aegean house.

It typically has a large rectangular hall with an open two-colonnaded porch.

--------MEGRON layout

Citadel of Tiryns (1400-1200 BC)

• built on a low rocky hill

• Cyclopean walls were constructed at the upper part of the citadel

•  "main" megaron serves as a venue for important ceremonies. The "Lesser megaron" (20 ft wide) served as women’s quarters.

Lion Gate at the Citadel of Mycenae (1300 BC)

The Citadel at Mycenae showcases Mycenaean engineering with massive fortification walls and an iconic Lion Gate.

Treasury of Atreus, Mycenae (1300 BC)

• The Treasury of Atreus was named by Schliemann

• The tomb chamber, called a tholos, is built into a hill, covered with a tumulus and is accessed by a long passageway called a dromos.        

• It is sometimes called as a "beehive tomb" because of the conical shape