Megaron
great hall in ancient Greek palace complexes / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The megaron (Ancient Greek: μέγαρον, [mégaron], plural megara) is the rectangular great hall in Mycenaean and ancient Greek palace architecture.[1] The hall was: 1) surrounded by four columns, 2) had an open portico with two columns in the front, and 3) had a central, open hearth venting through an oculus, or opening, in the roof.[2]
The megaron also had the throne-room of the wanax, or Mycenaean Greek ruler, whose throne was in the main room with the central hearth.[3] Similar architecture is found in the Near East but the open portico supported by columns is particular to the Aegean region.[4] Megara are sometimes called "long-rooms" because of their rectangular shape and the position of their entrances.[5] There were often many rooms around the central megaron, such as archive rooms, offices, oil-press rooms, workshops, potteries, shrines, corridors, armories, and rooms storing wine, oil and wheat.[6]
The megaron was used for sacrifices,[7] royal events, and court meetings.[4]