The entry of visitors from the Gate of the Lions is modern man's passing to ancient history. Thus, a tour at the Palace of Mycenae inspires awe and admiration for the ancient civilization of the European people with the richest history. In this land, antiquity and modern times coexist, bearing the same aromas from the lush valley of Argolis, abundant of fruit, olives trees, and grapevines. Under the same radiant sun, on the same land, we follow the footsteps of past kings.
Eurysthenes, the last descendent of the city's founder, was killed without leaving an heir; thus, the inhabitants of Mycenae chose as their new king Atreus, the son of Pelops and father of Agamemnon. The House of Pelops, from which the Atreidai dynasty branched out, built the Gate of the Lions in 1250 BCE. It is the most ancient example of monumental architecture in Europe. The monolithic elements of the Gate (lintel, threshold, jambs), are worthy of the magnificence of the Cyclopean masonry and weigh 15 to 20 tons each.
The relieving triangle above the lintel reinforces the stability of the structure. Confronting each other, missing their heads today, the lions support their front feet on small alters around a Minoan-style column, symbolizing perhaps, the superiority of the Mycenaeans in relation to the radiant Minoan civilization. The lions that decorate the gate, stand there as a divine symbol, a regal coat of arms, as "guards" and a "threat" at the same time. The Gate of the Lions remained visible until our days, but its entrance was buried under the soil. So, in 1841, revealing it in all its glory was one of the first projects Greek archaeologists undertook.
