CURRICULUM MAP FOR The Homeric World
YEAR 11
HALF TERM 1:
Key Sites
Concept and Dating of the Mycenaean Age
• The Mycenaean Age takes its name from the city of Mycenae which
was one of the most powerful cites between 1600-1150 BC
• All cities had similar culture, buildings and administration with palaces
• The Mycenaean Age was also known as the Bronze age because this
was the first time that tin and copper were mixed together to make the
alloy bronze
• The civilisation was very similar to the Minoan Civilisation – this makes
it difficult to distinguish between the two
Mycenae
• Home of King Agamemnon who led the Greek forces against the
Trojans during the Trojan War
• It was a citadel – it was built on higher ground and defended by walls
• It was believed that the hero Perseus, who killed Medusa, founded the
city with help from the Cyclopes as no human could have lifted such
huge structures
• Heninrich Schliemann excavated the land and found various tombs and
treasures
Sallyports
• Important defensive structure as it allowed defenders to surprise
attackers
• Debated as to how effective these were since the passages were
extremely narrow
• Designed using t he technique of corbelling, which allowed a gap to be
spanned between two structures before larger blocks of stone were
placed at the top
• The no rthern sallyport led to an underground cistern, which was
important because it meant t hey were able to withstand their enemy
for a longer period of time without them knowing
Walls
• An impressive feat of engineering and construction for the period
• They were thick and could reach heights of around 12 metres
• Building the walls was considered to be a superhuman feat. They were
referred to as ‘Cyclopean’ b ecause they believed that on ly giants could
move such blocks
Lion Gate
• The main entrance to the city which was constru cted when Mycenae
was at its most powerful
• It was made from conglomerate
• The triangle c reated in the corbel arch is made from limestone and
carved into the form of two lions in a relief
• The sides of the lions are shown but with their heads facing forwards,
creating an air of solemnity
• Missiles would be thrown to prevent enemies from breaking through
Tombs
• The o ldest tombs were found in Grave Circle B; these are thought to
have been dedicated to members of the royal family because of the
objects of wealth found in them
• Grave Circle A is thought to have been a royal burial site too
• The improvements to Grave Circle A are thought to have been in order
to honour previous rulers
• The shaft graves were far deeper and larger than at Grave Circle B
• The dead were b uried with vast quantities of pre cious objects such as:
gold, silver, amber, glass and ivory
• The tombs of Clytemnestra and Aegisthus are known as the Treasury of
Aetreus (tholos style)
• The couple were never actually buried in these tombs
• Some people believe that this was the tomb of Aetreus
Troy
• It is highly debated as to whether the site formed the basis of the
Trojan War
• There were several wars fought at Troy during this period which may
have merged together into a series of conflicts which Homer merged
into one story
• Troy was re-built several times with each new city built on top of the
previous city
Prescribed Source
Mycenae
• 17th-11th century BC
• Located in the north-east of the
Peloponnese
• Majority of structures made from limestone
and conglomerate blocks
• Contains important frescos, tombs and
treasures
Prescribed Source
Tiryns
• 15th-13th century BC
• East Peloponnese
• Contains a palace, frescoes and treasures
• Founded by Proitos and said to be the
birthplace of Heracles
• Book 9 of the Odyssey
• Book 10 of the Odyssey
I can describe…
• The important stages in the history of the
Mycenaean Age
• The layouts of Mycenae and Tiryns
• The key features of Mycenae and Tiryns
• The findings in the different levels of Troy
I can explain…
• Why the cities of Mycenae and Tiryns were
built in the locations that they were
• Why the cities of Mycenae and Tiryns
developed as they did
• What is particularly impressive about
Mycenaean cities
• The arguments for and against the
archaeological levels of Troy VI and VIIa
being the site of Troy of the Trojan War
Discussion
Debate
Choral response
Peer collaboration
Presentation of work
Reading aloud
Homework
1 – Concept and dating of the Mycenean Age
2 – Mycenean sites
3 – Troy
4 – Key terms
5 – Homer Introcuction
6 – Book 9 and Book 10
