The Lion’s Gate was the main entrance of the Bronze Age citadel of Mycenae. Archaeologists and classists believe that the monument was erected sometime in the 13th century BCE. The iconic name ‘Lions Gate’ derives from the two-lion’s sculptured in a heraldic pose that stands above the entrance. The gate is about 10 feet wide and high and it is believed that the two lions had heads of metal. The lions are sculptured in a way of perpetuating and symbolising power as they are depicted with their feet on an altar and they flank the sides of a pillar.

The Lion Gate was the main entrance to the citadel and is one of the most impressive structures ever built. To reach it, people followed an uphill path that led into a narrow passage. On one side was a steep rock, and on the other was a long wall. This tight space forced attackers to bunch together, making them easy targets for guards above.

The gate itself is made of four huge stone blocks. It is about 3.1 meters high and just under 3 meters wide. The top and bottom stones are extremely heavy, each weighing over 20 tons. These massive stones were brought to the site on ramps and shaped there.

The ground at the entrance has grooves and markings. Some were once thought to be from chariot wheels, but they were actually made later to help rainwater drain away. Other small cuts were added later to stop animals from slipping.

The original Mycenaean parts include holes in the sides and top of the gate. These held the hinges of the wooden doors, allowing them to open and close. The door frame also had a raised edge to stop the doors from swinging outward. Inside, there were square holes that held a wooden bar used to lock the gate securely.

The original structure was excavated and rehabilitated by Greek archaeologist Kyriakos Pittakis, the first to excavate Mycenae in 1841. The gate represents a combination of Cyclopean construction and ashlar masonry.

Cyclopean construction is a form of megalithic architecture, or building with very large stones. Ashlar masonry is simply an organized way of laying out square/rectangular cut stones in a regular manner. Above the lintel is an area called the relieving triangle because it is typically filled with a lighter stone or some other material to take pressure off of the lintel. It is in this area that the actual carving of the lions sits even though it still weighs nearly two tons.

The surrounding area by which the Lion’s Gate stands, is predominantly moulded out of large megalithic stone as mentioned earlier. In Ancient Greece, it was widely accepted, especially after Homer’s publication of his ‘Odyssey’ in the 7th century, that only the Cyclops were strong enough to place the stones into place.

In classical Greek mythology, the city was founded by Perseus (son of Zeus), who gave the site its name either after his sword scabbard fell to the ground and was regarded as a good omen or as he found a water spring near a mushroom. Perseus was the first king of the Perseid dynasty which ended with Eurytheus.