Mycenaean Athens 1200 BC

The area of Athens has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Finds proved the presence of humans from almost 4000 BC. The main core of this habitation was the Acropolis and the surrounding area. Excavations also found traces of a settlement in the area where the Olympieion was later built.

Little to nothing is known about the pre-Greek inhabitants of the area. With the arrival of the first Greek tribes, however, around 1600 BC, significant construction activity is observed.

These Greek tribes, the Mycenaeans, brought to Athens the two basic characteristics of their urban planning: the fortified citadel and the palace (anáktoron). Indeed, the rock of the Acropolis was fortified with a cyclopean wall (similar to that of Mycenae), while inside the wall a large palace and settlement were built.

The wall, also known as Pelasgian (or Pelargic), is still visible near the Propylaea, while many parts of it are kept buried all around the Acropolis. It was the main defense until the end of the Archaic period. It had three entrances: north, south and west. The last one, where the Propylaea stand today, was protected by another wall that had nine gates, the so-called enneápylon ("nine-gate"), which, as Thucydides mentions, still existed when the Persians entered Athens in 480 BC.

Few traces have been left of the Mycenaean palace that existed at the top of the Acropolis. It is known that it was located in the area of the much later Erechtheion. The palace was probably destroyed by natural causes (fire or earthquake) in the 10th century BC, since according to tradition the Dorian invaders did not manage to capture Athens (this is the basis of the Athenians' claim, as Ionians, that they were indigenous). The relics found by the Athenians of the archaic period in the area where the palace was, were probably rich. In combination with the tombs that were confirmed and excavated in modern times, the legend was created for the first king of the city, Kekrops, who has since been worshiped along with other deities there, turning it into the most sacred place inf Athens.

After the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization and generally the collapse of the Bronze Age civilizations in the eastern Mediterranean (1200-1150 BC), Athens, although it does not seem to have been destroyed, nevertheless fell into decline. Several inhabitants of the destroyed Mycenaean centers settled in Athens. Little is known about the "dark ages" that followed. From the 9th century BC. however, Athens seems to recover and develops trade.

An accurate reconstruction of the Mycenaean palace is impossible. In the illustration presented here, the traces of the terraces and the foundations that have been preserved, allow us to assume some things, such as the location of the palace and some other auxiliary buildings. However, it would not differ much from the other Mycenaean palaces known to us in other locations. There would definitely have a Mégaron, ie the main building with the throne room and the circular hearth in the middle. The palace would also consist of a courtyard in front of the Palace, the other buildings with administrative functions, the warehouses, the common areas and the residences of the royal family.