Orchomenos

Important Bronze Age site in Boeotia, central Greece, home of the legendary King Minyas. Extensive remains of the Early and Middle Helladic periods survive, though the Mycenaean levels are badly eroded. A large frescoed Late Helladic structure is probably a palace, and to the east lies the tholos tomb known as the Treasury of Minyas. About 20 km to the east is the huge Mycenaean fortress of Gla, defended by walls of cyclopean masonry 6 meters thick. This fortress and a number of subsidiary forts must have defended the eastern approaches to the Copais basin, which, according to ancient literary tradition, was drained and cultivated by the people of Orchomenos in Mycenaean times. There are impressive fortifications of the Classical city and a 4th century BC theater. Linear B has been found in inscriptions on pots and jars at Orchomenos.

A major Bronze Age site in Boeotia, central Greece. The rocky spur of Orchomenos was occupied throughout the Bronze Age, but, although extensive remains of the Early and Middle Helladic periods survive, the Mycenaean levels are badly eroded. However it seems that there was a palace or other large building on the hill at this stage, while to the east lies the tholos tomb known as the Treasury of Minyas. Some 20 km to the east is the huge Mycenaean fortress of Gia, defended by walls of Cyclopean masonry some six metres thick and still surviving in places to a height of three metres. This fortress and a number of subsidiary forts must have defended the eastern approaches to the Copais basin, which, according to ancient literary tradition, was drained and cultivated by the people of Orchomenos in Mycenaean times.