DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1021#0152
106 THE MYCENAEAN AGE
We have now to consider the vexed question of the cir-
cular inclosure in its ancient aspect and office, and in its
relation to the original fortress — a question postponed to
this point because it is one that interests the archaeologist
rather than the general reader. Dr. Schliemann's notion
that this was " the circle of the agora," we need not stop
to discuss j if we have been fortunate enough to make out
an agora of the Mycenaean age, it seems to be at Gha in
Lake Copais rather than in Argos.
The current view is that the circle was a temenos, set
apart and consecrated to the illustrious dead entombed
within it. The uneven inclosure (it is held) was filled up
to the level of the entrance threshold, and on the level thus
formed the stelae were planted. So it remained until the
dynasty whose sepulchre it was had passed away. After-
wards in the course of ages the earth, washing down from
the upper terraces of the citadel, buried it under the great
mound Schliemann found there.
This temenos theory is one we find it difficult to accept,
and our objections to it may be briefly stated.
First, according to Schliemann's account, the lower strata
of the mound were not such as they would have been if
washed down by the rains ; and the debris above
to temenos the tombs to the height of the ring-wall con-
tained layers of nearly pure red earth, such as is
foreign to the formation of this rock-hill and must there-
fore have been carried from without.1 This warrants the
the circle- inference that the inclosure was not covered up
Tw"rkoffc gradually by the action of the elements, and goes
chance ^0 show tna$ ^he circje was filled up at least to
the top of the ring-wall as soon as that wall was made.2
1 The authority for this statement is Petros Christopoulos, who was employed
in the excavations, and has been custodian of the Museum at Mycenae ever
2 This was Schliemann's opinion (Mycenae, p. 88) : " It deserves particular
We have now to consider the vexed question of the cir-
cular inclosure in its ancient aspect and office, and in its
relation to the original fortress — a question postponed to
this point because it is one that interests the archaeologist
rather than the general reader. Dr. Schliemann's notion
that this was " the circle of the agora," we need not stop
to discuss j if we have been fortunate enough to make out
an agora of the Mycenaean age, it seems to be at Gha in
Lake Copais rather than in Argos.
The current view is that the circle was a temenos, set
apart and consecrated to the illustrious dead entombed
within it. The uneven inclosure (it is held) was filled up
to the level of the entrance threshold, and on the level thus
formed the stelae were planted. So it remained until the
dynasty whose sepulchre it was had passed away. After-
wards in the course of ages the earth, washing down from
the upper terraces of the citadel, buried it under the great
mound Schliemann found there.
This temenos theory is one we find it difficult to accept,
and our objections to it may be briefly stated.
First, according to Schliemann's account, the lower strata
of the mound were not such as they would have been if
washed down by the rains ; and the debris above
to temenos the tombs to the height of the ring-wall con-
tained layers of nearly pure red earth, such as is
foreign to the formation of this rock-hill and must there-
fore have been carried from without.1 This warrants the
the circle- inference that the inclosure was not covered up
Tw"rkoffc gradually by the action of the elements, and goes
chance ^0 show tna$ ^he circje was filled up at least to
the top of the ring-wall as soon as that wall was made.2
1 The authority for this statement is Petros Christopoulos, who was employed
in the excavations, and has been custodian of the Museum at Mycenae ever
2 This was Schliemann's opinion (Mycenae, p. 88) : " It deserves particular