Tiryns

**Historical Background**:
– Tiryns has been inhabited since prehistory.
– The Late Helladic period marked the city’s greatest growth.
– The disaster at the end of the Bronze Age affected Tiryns.
– In the Classical period, Tiryns became relatively insignificant.
– The Acropolis was constructed in three phases during different periods.

**Legendary Origins**:
– Homer praised Tiryns’ massive walls.
– The walls were attributed to the Cyclopes due to their enormous size.
– Pausanias noted the stones’ immovability.
– The walls are associated with Proetus, sibling of Acrisius, king of Argos.
– The legend links Argolic centers with mythical heroes Acrisius, Proetus, and Perseus.

**Architectural Features**:
– Walls extend to the entire hilltop area.
– Wall height estimated at 9-10m, 6 meters thick, up to 17 meters at tunnel points.
– A transverse wall divides the acropolis into two sections.
– Ruins include a palace with an outer portico, prodomos, and domos.
– An imposing circular structure served as a fortified area or royal residence.

**Cultural Development**:
– Greek inhabitants settled Tiryns in the Middle Helladic period.
– The disaster at the end of the Bronze Age affected Tiryns.
– Precious items were deposited in Tiryns during the LHIIIC period.
– Tiryns participated in the Battle of Plataea in 480 BC.
– Many Tirynthians moved to found the city of Halieis.

**Historical Events and Decline**:
– Tiryns was occupied by Argive slaves after a defeat by Sparta.
– Argos destroyed Mycenae and Tiryns in 468 BC.
– Tiryns became relatively insignificant in the Classical period.
– The palace area was inhabited into the early Archaic period.
– Tiryns saw growth during the Late Helladic period but declined in later periods.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiryns