Myceanean Greek

We argue that the Greek and Latin masculine verbal governing compounds in *-ā of the type Gk. βαθυ-δίνης and Lat. agricola are remnants of an older individualizing/substantivizing function of the suffix *‑eh2, following Nussbaum (2014) and Melchert (2014). This analysis provides additional evidence for the claim that the use of PIE *‑eh2 as a feminine marker was a relatively late development

Questo manuale intende offrire un quadro aggiornato delle conoscenze nel campo dell’epigrafia micenea. Nato dalla collaborazione di un gruppo  di specialisti di varie università e centri di ricerca, contiene un’introduzione alla scrittura e alla lingua dei testi micenei e un’analisi dettagliata dei principali documenti in lineare B, suddivisi per argomento. Nel primo volume, la scrittura, le pratiche scribali e quelle amministrative sono presentate nel dettaglio e messe a confronto con quelle delle amministrazioni minoiche in “geroglifico” cretese e in lineare A, mentre i documenti sono contestualizzati sul piano archeologico e descritti dal punto di vista epigrafico, paleografico e archivistico. Nel secondo volume, dopo una descrizione dettagliata dei settori produttivi ricostruibili in base alla testimonianza delle fonti scritte, è proposta una sintesi sul mondo miceneo, relativa a geografia, società, economia e religione. Ogni capitolo del manuale è corredato da un’ampia bibliografia. Chiude il volume un glossario dei vocaboli micenei discussi nel testo.
Due tomi indivisibili.


The handbook, which is the fruit of the collaboration of a group of specialists from various universities and research centres in Italy and abroad, aims to provide an updated overview about Mycenaean epigraphy. It contains an introduction to the writing and language of the Mycenaean texts and a detailed analysis of the main Linear B documents divided by topic. In the first volume the Linear B writing system and the Mycenaean scribal and administrative practices are analyzed and compared with their Minoan antecedents (Cretan Hieroglyphics and Linear A). The second volume contains a detailed description of the different production sectors as they can be reconstructed from the Linear B texts as well as a synthesis of some major topics relating to the Mycenaean world, such as geography, society, economy and religion. Each chapter is provided with an essential bibliography. The book ends with a glossary of the Mycenaean words.

The Cyclopean fortifications surrounding the Bronze Age sites of mainland Greece constitute the most widely known aspect of Mycenaean architecture. The construction of these walls was perceived to be such an amazing feat that they received mythical designations throughout antiquity. This particular masonry deprived its name from the mythical Cyclopes, whom were said to have been responsible for the construction of the walls. Their largest concentration is evident in the region of Argolid, in the Peloponnese, where it appears to have originated.  However, they can also be located individually, throughout other sites on mainland Greece. The walls enclosed citadels, forts, settlements and even large empty spaces.
Cyclopean fortifications were initially built to display the wealth, authority and power of the lords of the Mycenaean centers, while their military function was of secondary significance. For more than 3000 years, since their erection, Mycenaean fortified citadels still stand proving their strength and solidity.
The citadel of Mycenae clearly provides a characteristic case study of the multi- functional role of the fortifications in the Late Bronze Age in Greece, combining architectural, social and political parameters. Three different building phases can be distinguished in the construction of the walls corresponding to different needs for protection from the 14th century until the end of 13th century B.C. The initial fortified area enclosed only the top of the hill. In the succeeding phases the walls expanded to embrace the monumental Grave Circle A - the burial  site of the ancestors, the Cult Center of the city and the underground cistern that provided access to water supply in times of war and siege.
This presentation focuses on the reasons behind the expansion of the Mycenae fortifications and the various types of constructions incorporated in each building phase. It attempts to decipher the selection of certain structures as appropriate for inclusion within the imposing built landscape of the citadel and to highlight the association of these choices within the contemporaneous geomorphological and socio-political contexts.