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. similar architecture is found in the near east but the open portico supported by columns is particular to the aegean region. megara are sometimes called "long-rooms" because of their rectangular shape and the position of their entrances. 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.