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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 (anaktoro).
In deed, the hill of the Acropolis was fortified with a cyclopean wall (like the
one in Mycenae) and inside they built a big palace.
This wall, known as Pelasgian, or Pelargian, is still partially visible
near the Propylaia 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 Propylaia, was protected by another wall with 9
gates, the "enneapylon" (the "ninegate") that according to Thucydides existed
even during the Persian invasion in Athens in 479 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
anaktoron 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 made 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.
An exact reconstruction of the Mycenaean palace is impossible. The
following images were created by following the remaining traces of the
foundations, that leave us assume some things, as the big square court and
some auxiliary buildings.
To see the
images in full screen, just click on them!
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An aerial view of the acropolis where the layout
of the buildings is quite obvious. |
View from the west. The gate of the wall,
the palace and mount Hymettus. |
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South view. Today there
stands the theatre of Dionyssos. The south part of the hill was
many meters lower those days, as during the Classical times the
ground was raised in order to build the foundations of the
Parthenon.
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View from the east. We can
see the main road of the palace, the square court and some other
buildings.. |
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