The Mycenaean citadel of Thiva, Cadmeia, was situated in the centre of today’s city It was built on a big hill, and, despite its reconstruction, it still maintains its original shape.

Archaeological research identified the famous Seven Gates of Thiva presumably to the current seven natural exits of the city, based on the testimonies of ancient writers. Inside the ancient citadel, in the market area of the modern city, the archaeological excavation brought to light parts of a large Mycenaean palace building, destroyed by fire, which was identified as the ”House of Cadmus”, which, according to tradition, had been incinerated by the thunderbolts of Zeus and its remains had been preserved as a sacrosanct place.

In this part of the palace, known as the “Old Cadmium”, parts of a large fresco with a representation of a procession of women, one of the oldest and most beautiful of the Mycenaean period, were discovered.

Source: https://www.mthv.gr/

That is where the first Theban “palm leaf” shaped clay tablets of Linear B script were discovered, bearing names of men. This treasure of written monuments ranks Thiva as one of the most important cities in Greece and Europe in terms of written monuments, as well as of general archaeological interest.