The ‘Mona Lisa’ of the Classical World

The ‘Mask of Agamemnon’ formed the basis for Homer’s golden Mycenae.

Gold death-mask, known as the “Mask of Agamemnon” from 16th-century B.C. Mycenae. The two holes near the ears suggest that the mask was tied in place with twine. Public Domain

One of the greatest surviving wonders of antiquity is not an architectural ruin or monumental sculpture but rather a small-scale, intimate work of art. Expertly hammered from gold, this 16th-century B.C. Mycenaean funerary mask is known the world over as the “Mask of Agamemnon,” though this is a misnomer. Historian Cathy Gere dubbed the Greek object “the Mona Lisa of prehistory.” Its image has been mythologized, conjuring Homeric tales of heroism, heritage, war, love, and tragedy.

‘Rich in Gold’

The main entrance of the Bronze Age citadel of Mycenae, called the Lion Gate. Artem Kniaz/Shutterstock

The Late Bronze Age Mycenaeans (circa 1600 B.C.–1100 B.C.) dominated the Greek world for centuries. Centered in the northeastern part of the Peloponnese peninsula, its territories were organized in a feudal system governed by warrior kings. The descriptive term “Mycenaean” derives from the civilization’s largest fortified palace complex at Mycenae.

Highly prosperous during their civilization’s zenith, Mycenaeans traded throughout the Mediterranean world, were renowned as fierce warriors, and engineered advanced stonework structures. Homer set his epic poems “Iliad” and “Odyssey,” whose compositions are usually dated to the late 8th or early 7th century B.C., in the Mycenaean period. The ancient Greek poet, whose work is the foundation of Western literature, described Mycenae as “rich in gold” and ruled by King Agamemnon, who led the Greeks to victory in the Trojan War before he was murdered upon his return home.

A compilation image of (Left) a portrait bust of the blind poet Homer, Roman copy of the 2nd century B.C. Hellenistic original at the British Museum, London (Roman Belogorodov/Shutterstock). (Right) a portrait of German businessman and archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, circa 1866–1890. HeidICON/ CC-BY-SA-4.0

The Grave Circle A, and the main entrance of the citadel (Left), at Mycenae. Andreas Trepte/ CC-BY-SA-2.5

German archeologist Heinrich Schliemann (1822–1890) was obsessed with Homer’s epics and believed they were historically accurate. Schliemann gained fame first for excavations at Hisarlık, Turkey, that identified it as the site of Homer’s Troy, which continues to be widely accepted today. A few years later, in 1876, Schliemann began digging in Mycenae.

He uncovered wealthy royal tombs designated as Grave Circle A. The burial complex contained human remains accompanied by luxurious goods, including jewelry, elaborately decorated weapons, and cups made of precious metal. Five gold death masks were also unearthed. These spectacular treasures are on display at the National Archeological Museum in Athens.

The Man in the Mask

The most exquisitely detailed and distinctive mask inspired Schliemann to claim: “I have gazed into the eyes of Agamemnon.” This finely worked object continues to be known as the “Mask of Agamemnon,” but its 16th-century B.C. creation does not correspond with the Trojan War. If it happened, that war is estimated to have occurred in the 13th-century B.C.

Death-mask, known as the “Mask of Agamemnon,” 16th century B.C., from Mycenae. Gold sheet with repousse details. National Archeological Museum, Athens. Viacheslav Lopatin/Shutterstock

The “Mask of Agamemnon” depicts a man with a regal air. He has a groomed beard, handlebar mustache, long nose, high cheekbones, wide mouth, thin lips, and inscrutable almond-shaped eyes. The two holes near the ears suggest that the mask was tied around the deceased’s head with twine. Its artist made the mask from a gold sheet with repoussé details, a metalworking technique in which a low relief design is created by hammering from the reverse side.

Agamemnon has become immortal due to his pivotal role in Homer’s poems and the 5th-century B.C. “Oresteia” trilogy by ancient Greek playwright Aeschylus. Whether such a king really existed remains unproven, but Schliemann did not find his tomb. Regardless, Mycenae is a popular tourist destination, a siren call for those looking to marvel at the remnants of the “age of heroes.” Its archeological crown jewel, the “Mask of Agamemnon,” maintains an evocative hold over the public’s imagination.

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