Mycenaean Megaron

In ancient Greek society the throne room was a special room constructed for ceremonial and religious purposes.  The throne room was also known as the Megaron.  Many important ceremonies took place in the Megaron.  Although political events took place here most historians believe that the throne room had more religious than political significance.  The throne room was an open rectangular hall with a two columned porch and an open hearth in the center of the room.  An oculus was located above the open hearth as a means of ventilation.  The room was usually very colorful and beautifully designed with most of the roof being tiled.

Mycenaean people were very influenced by the Minoans, especially with regards to their palace style.  You can easily see the similarities between the Megarons in both civilizations.  The bright colors and architectural style were originally Minoan ideas and were emulated by the Myceneans when they were building their own palaces.  The fact that something as important as a palace, which was the center of these civilizations, was emulated, shows the degree in which the Myceneans borrowed ideas from the Minoans.

Work Cited     

A Review of the Throne Room at Cnossos

Clark Hopkins

American Journal of Archaeology , Vol. 67, No. 4 (Oct., 1963), pp. 416-419

Published by: Archaeological Institute of America

Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/501626

The Megaron and Its Roof

E. Baldwin Smith

American Journal of Archaeology , Vol. 46, No. 1 (Jan. – Mar., 1942), pp. 99-118

Published by: Archaeological Institute of America

Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/499112