GREECE PELOPONNESE ARGOLIS MYCENAE PERIPHERY

Tomb of Aegisthus

On the Northwest slope of the acropolis, but outside the city walls, lies the "Tomb of Aegisthus", first studied in 1922 by the British School. - The name does not indicate that really Aegisthus was buried here, also all the names of other tholos tombs are more or less arbitrary and do not necessarily reflect historical facts.

The construction of the "Tomb of Aegisthus" with rubble masonry puts it in group I of the tholoi. The weakness of this material also caused the ceiling of the tholos to collapse. There are, however, several features indicating the transition to group II: the dromos is partially lined with stone walls, there is a relief triangle above the lintel and there is a decorative façade of the stomion made of cut stone blocks (not supporting the stomion and perhaps added later). The tholos is generally dated to 1470 BC.

Above: Views along the dromos to the doorway. - Below left: Outer façade of the stomion. - Below right: Wall of the thalamos.