Mycenae Swords and Daggers

Ancient Greek Mythology, Religion, Art

« Back to Last Page | Photos: Mythology, Religion, Art in Mycenae »

 

Among the artifacts found the grave circles at Mycenae are some very impressive swords and daggers. Above are three examples. The top two are bronze daggers with inlaid gold, silver, and copper figures depicting hunt scenes. On the second lions are clearly visible. The bottom drawing is of a sword with a more extensive hunting scene - one lion is being trapped with two others running away, one of which has his head turned to look back.

Here is a color close-up of the same sword depicted in the drawing above. If you look closely at the figures on the left, you will see that they are using large tower shields and shields shaped like a figure eight. What makes this interesting is that such shields are described as having been used by the Greeks by Homer in the Illiad.

These shields are very different from those used by the Greeks during the Hellenistic and Classical periods when it made more sense to have small, round shields that worked well in hoplite formations. The above image, then, was one of the first confirmations of something in Homer being accurate, even though it occurred several hundred years before Home wrote.

« Back to Last Page | Photos: Mythology, Religion, Art in Mycenae »