October 22, 2025: Exploring the Era of the Greek Mycenaean Civilization.

October 22, 2025 cjbishop@yahoo.com

We have been exploring the ancient Minoan civilization so far on this trip. Now we will be visiting sites associated with the Mycenaean civilization, the last phase of the Bronze Age in ancient Greece, spanning from approximately 1750 to 1050 BC. We are going to Nafplio to visit a Mycenae site. Nafplio is a small popular tourist town (population 14,532) on the west side of the Peloponnese peninsula of mainland Greece.

Reminder of the time scale of ancient Greek Civilizations

This morning we are headed to see the ruins of Mycenae, an archaeological site near Nafplio. Mycenae was one the the main centers of Greek civilization during the 2nd millennium BCE, a military stronghold that dominated this part of southern Greece. The period of history from about 1700-1100 BCE gets its name from Mycenae. The Mycenae site is connected the the era of Homer epics and the evolution of the Greek languages because of artifacts known as “Linear B”. Niki walked us through the remains of the ruins of Mycenae and gave us time to wander through the museum there that contained artifacts that had been found in the complex.

The mountainous area where Mycenae is located.

Fruit and live orchards dominate the landscape.

The Lion’s Gate entrance to the complex.

Grave circle A. Not a very creative name if you ask me.

The remains of Grave Circle A. Surprised at how large it was.

A lot of rock pieces elsewhere in the complex.

The accomplishments of the Mycenaeans in art, architecture and technology, which inspired other European cultures, is evident in the displays in the museum. Again the museum was wonderful but overwhelming! From my pictures you will sense I found myself more interested in the stories about their civilization rather than the artifacts themselves.

The extent of Greek trade during the Mycenae era.

Items from prehistoric cemetery, dating from 2nd century BCE.

The story of the 10 year Trojan War that occupied in the 12th or 13th century BCE.

Returning to the waterfront town of Nafplio we were led on a brief orientation tour of the local area before heading back to the ship for lunch.

This large yacht was docked right in front of “Blue”. It almost looked like a sistership. I speculated that the two ships were “his and her” ships- one for him and one for his wife(s)?

That is Palamidi fortress, a Venetian fortress built in the 17th century,on the mountain.

Niki explaining the Greek Orthodox Church service.

Town square with outdoor restaurants and shops.

Business was slow at this outdoor restaurant and this local cat was taking advantage of the situation.

Well taken care of buildings line the square.

Several small pedestrian only side streets contained shops and restaurants.

Had to laugh at a sign on the door of this tavern.

Our afternoon was free and people went their individual ways to sleep, shop or tour the town in more detail. I chose the latter and even took a local “tourist train” on a 20 minute tour of Nafplio.

Riding the local “tiny train” thorough town.

Carved statue dedicated to the military.

He got up there, now he cannot figure how to get down!

One of several ways to getting to the upper town.

One of many seaside restaurants that featured outdoor dining.

After seeing the lovely seaside restaurants on the waterfront and looking for something different the six of us had agreed to go out for pizza for dinner, rather than eating on the ship. We were dismayed to find that it began raining lightly (the very first rain we have seen on the trip) which forced us to eat inside a restaurant rather than outdoors. It still was a tasty meal!