Mycenae

German Merchant Heinrich Schliemann discovered the citadel at Mycenae and found the treasure that he claimed belonged to the king Agamemnon. Later Schliemann will discover the Location of Troy. Schliemann claimed to have had a fascination with The Iliad since his father had given him a copy of the story as a boy. The Trojan war at the time was considered to be fiction. Schliemann vowed that someday he would prove the war’s existence. Unfortunately His father’s financial troubles forced him to leave school and find work. Schliemann worked many menial jobs as a boy and teenager. One stroke of luck occurred when he worked for a local grocer. Schliemann worked with a Greek man who taught him to read and speak Greek. Schliemann went on to teach himself: English, Dutch, French and Russian. It Is his ability with language that will allow him to escape poverty. Schliemann will be employed by local businessmen to represent their imports and exports with Russia. Schliemann proves very adept at this and starts to accumulate wealth. He asks for the hand of a Russian businessman’s daughter in marriage. She refuses Because he is not wealthy enough for her. Heinrich Schliemann

Another stroke of luck is when in 1849,Schliemannn receives a letter from his older brother from America. His brother wants him to come to California where he has struck it rich during the California. Schliemann Embarks on this long journey across sea and land. At one point he has a long stopover in New Orleans. There he meets local businessmen who are concerned about relations between the northern and southern states. When Schliemann reaches California, he is greeted by bad news; his brother has died. The good news is that His brother has left his business to Schliemann. He is now very wealthy. Schliemann remains for two years in America, then returns to Russia. This time his marriage proposal is accepted. Unfortunately, the marriage is Not a happy one. In his diaries, Schliemann writes about his wife’s frigidity. He writes this after the birth of their First child, “I was able to steal one from her.” In 1860 an opportunity for more wealth comes when the Southern businessmen he had meet in America contact him. Schliemann journeys again to New Orleans and devises a plan to smuggle southern goods to European markets. Schliemann convinces the businessmen to take a 60 – 40 deal. He tells them that he is taking the most risk.

Schliemann arrives in Greece in He is in the country illegally and does not have permission to Conduct research. Upon arrival he employs a 25 year Greek woman who was fluent in ancient Greek to Be his guide. The relationship blossoms into romance and Schliemann will marry her. The only problem is that he is still married to his first wife. Schliemann will eventually obtain a divorce and in later years retire to Greece. Schliemann and his second wife, Sophie She wears jewelry recovered from Mycenae excavations. The Search for the Iliad

Aerial views of the Citadel of Mycenae The citadel is located on a hilltop. One side is protected by a gorge and mountain. It Is believed that defense was the determine Factor in city locations. The massive wall is 13 yards high and nine yards wide. The Pits are underground storerooms of homes. It is believed only the upper classes stayed Within the city walls. The circular shaft burial is were Schliemann began his Excavations. Some scholars today believe he may have Destroyed a number of artifacts from later settlements In pursuit of traces from the Mycenae of 1200 b.c.e. Schliemann will smuggle artifacts recovered at this Location into Germany and give the collection to the Berlin Museum of art. The artifacts disappear from the Museum in 1936, only to be found in 1999 in Saint Peter-Burg Russia.

Close-up of the burial shaft at Mycenae

The Lions’ Gate Of Mycenae

Tholos burial for kings of Mycenae. Schliemann found Seven kings and eight Queens buried within niches in shaft walls. This Golden Death mask was purported by Schliemann to be the mask of the king, Agamemnon. However is not from the right timeframe. The Trojan war occurred in 1200b.c.e.