Tomb of Clytemnestra

tomb, Mycenae, Greece

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 24, 2026

Quick Summary

The Tomb of Clytemnestra is a tholos tomb located in Mycenae, Greece. Tholos tombs, also known as beehive tombs, were monumental burial structures built during the Mycenaean civilization, particularly from the 15th to the 13th centuries BCE.1

This particular tomb is named after Clytemnestra, the mythological wife of Agamemnon, king of Mycenae. In Greek legend, Clytemnestra, along with her lover Aegisthus, murdered Agamemnon upon his return from the Trojan War. The tomb itself is characterized by its finely dressed facade and is considered one of the most impressive examples of Mycenaean architecture.21

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Aegean civilizations
The Shaft Grave Period on the mainland (c. 1600–1450)
…Treasury of Atreus and the Tomb of Clytemnestra, have splendidly dressed facades with engaged half columns in two tiers and coloured exotic stones; they may have been built early in the 14th century, although arguments are made for a 13th-century construction. The elaborate design of the facade may have been…
Read More
…Treasury of Atreus and the Tomb of Clytemnestra, have splendidly dressed facades with engaged half columns in two tiers and coloured exotic stones; they may have been built early in the 14th century, although arguments are made for a 13th-century construction. The elaborate design of the facade may have been…
Read More