2015 (Page 22)

Have the remains of Alexander the Great AND his mother Olympias been found?

Experts uncover bones of a woman and two men in underground Amphipolis tomb

The tomb is situated in the Amphipolis region of Serres in Greece
Huge burial site is said to date back to between 325 and 300 BC
This means it could have been built during the reign of Alexander the Great
An underground vault, or fourth chamber was discovered in November
Bones of an unidentified woman, a newborn baby and two men, as well as fragments of a cremated person, were unearthed in the vault
Research shows the woman was over 60, while the men were aged 35 to 45
Olympias died aged 59, Alexander the Great died of a fever at the age of 33
Height of the skeletons also matches with reports of Alexander's stature
One of the men had cut marks in his left chest that were most likely from mortal injuries inflicted by a knife or small sword

By Victoria Wollaston and Sarah Griffiths for Million

Archaeologists may have yet to find conclusive proof of Alexander the Great's body, but they have turned up the remains of five people in the ancient Amphipolis tomb.

Bones of an unidentified woman, a newborn baby and two men, as well as fragments of a cremated person, were unearthed in an underground vault on the site.

The Greek Culture Ministry said research on the bones showed the buried woman was 60 years old, while the two men were aged 35 to 45 years old.

Alexander the Great was said to be 33 when he died, while his mother Olympias died aged 59 – although the ministry has not said whether the bones belong to either of these dignitaries.

Bones of an unidentified woman, a newborn baby and two men, as well as fragments of a cremated person, were unearthed in a secret vault on the Amphipolis site in Serres, Greece. The Greek Culture Ministry said research on the bones showed the buried woman (skeleton pictured) was 60 years old

It is expected, however, that Alexander and his mother would have been buried in separate tombs – especially given the fact they died seven years apart.

The other male could be the rumoured remains of Alexander's general, but further tests will need to be carried out.

The Amphipolis site, believed to be the largest ancient tomb to have been discovered in Greece, dates back to Alexander's era, around 300 to 325 BC.

The ancient conqueror died in Babylonia – in present day Iraq – in 323 BC, after a military campaign across the Middle East extending out to present-day Pakistan.

His mother Olympias died in 316 BC.

Alexander's exact burial site is not known, but historians place it in the Egyptian city of Alexandria.

Speculation that the limestone grave in the Amphipolis tomb site might belong to the legendary leader, to one of his generals, or to family members has been rife since the dig began back in 2012.

But it ramped up last summer after a number of chambers, and later the underground vault, were unearthed.

The Culture Ministry added the woman was approximately 5ft 1in (1.57 metres) tall.

COULD THE REMAINS BELONG TO ALEXANDER THE GREAT?

Alexander (statue pictured) was born in Pella, the ancient capital of Macedonia in July 356 BC, and died of a fever in Babylon in June 323 BC

Alexander (statue pictured right) was born in Pella, the ancient capital of Macedonia in July 356 BC, and died of a fever in Babylon in June 323 BC.

Alexander led an army across the Persian territories of Asia Minor, Syria and Egypt claiming the land as he went.

His greatest victory was at the Battle of Gaugamela, now northern Iraq, in 331 BC, and during his trek across these Persian territories, he was said to never have suffered a defeat.

This led him to be known as Alexander the Great.

Following this battle in Gaugamela, Alexander led his army a further 11,000 miles (17,700km), founded over 70 cities and created an empire that stretched across three continents.

This covered from Greece in the west, to Egypt in the south, Danube in the north, and Indian Punjab to the East.

Alexander was buried in Egypt.

His fellow royals were traditionally interred in a cemetery near Vergina, far to the west.

The lavishly-furnished tomb of Alexander's father, Philip II, was discovered during the 1970s.

There is widespread speculation over who was buried at the Amphipolis site – from Roxana, Alexander's Persian wife, to Olympias, the kings mother, to one of his generals.

The Greek Culture Ministry said research on the bones found in the vault showed the buried woman was over 60 years old, while the two men were aged 35 to 45 years old.

Alexander the Great was said to be 33 when he died, while his mother Olympias (etched in a 316BC coin) died aged 59 – although the ministry has not said whether the bones belong to either of these dignitaries. The other male could be the rumoured remains of a general, but further tests will need to be carried out

Alexander the Great was said to be 33 when he died, while his mother Olympias died aged 59 – although the ministry has not said whether the bones belong to either of these dignitaries.

The other male could be the rumoured remains of Alexander's general, but further tests will need to be carried out.

In particular, further analysis will also be done on the bones of the woman and two men to determine if they were related.

' Part of the analysis will look into a possible blood relationship, but the lack of teeth and cranial parts that are used in ancient DNA analysis may not allow for a successful identification,’ the ministry said.

One of the men had cut marks in his left chest that were most likely from mortal injuries inflicted by a knife or small sword, the ministry said. But, Alexander was said to have died of a fever.

Both males had an estimated height of 5ft ein (1.62 metres) to 5ft 7in (1.68 metres).

Armour previously found, which is said to have belonged to either Alexander or his father Philip II of Macedon, reportedly would have fitted a person who measured around 5ft 12in.

But Andrew Stewart, an expert on Alexander art, placed Alexander's height closer to 5ft 7in.

It is expected, however, that Alexander and his mother would have been buried in separate tombs – especially given the fact they died seven years apart, in 316 BC and 323 BC respectively.

The two men were aged 35 to 45 years old. One of the men (pictured) had cut marks in his left chest that were most likely from mortal injuries inflicted by a knife or small sword. The men had an estimated height of 5ft ein (1.62 metres) to 5ft 7in (1.68 metres), the ministry said

One of the men had cut marks in his left chest that were most likely from mortal injuries inflicted by a knife or small sword, the ministry said. But, Alexander was said to have died of a fever.

Both males had an estimated height of 5ft ein (1.62 metres) to 5ft 7in (1.68 metres).

Armour previously found, which is said to have belonged to either Alexander or his father Philip II of Macedon, reportedly would have fitted a person who measured around 5ft 12in.

But Andrew Stewart, an expert on Alexander art, placed Alexander's height closer to 5ft 7in.

The few burned bone remains of the fifth interred person, who was cremated, could not reveal the personal gender and authorities said further testing would be carried out.

The few burned bone remains of the fifth interred person,who was cremated, could not reveal the personal gender and authorities said further testing would be carried out. Further analysis will also be done on the bones of the woman and two men to determine if they were related. The bones from the newborn are shown

Bones with indicated cut marks were among the remains found in the underground vault. The vault was discovered in November when the culture ministry confirmed an entrance to a subterranean room was found lying beneath the vast burial complex's third chamber, found in September

Further analysis will also be done on the bones of the woman and two men to determine if they were related.

Excavations at the site near Greece second city of Thessaloniki began in 2012 and captured global attention last August when archaeologists announced the discovery of a vast tomb guarded by two sphinxes and circled by a 1, 630ft (497-metre) marble wall.

Since then the tomb has also yielded a colourful floor mosaic depicting the abduction of Persephone, the daughter of Zeus, the supreme deity of ancient Greece, as well as two sculpted female figures known as Caryatids.

Experts have so far uncovered huge statues in the tomb (the exterior is pictured) but are concerned that due to the positioning of some of the finds, it may have been looted

Experts initially warned that the third chamber was probably the tomb's last, and that it may have been robbed in antiquity with any remains destroyed.

They said the plethora of finds hint that the massive mound was intended for an important woman – possibly the wife or mother of Alexander the Great.

At a press conference at the archaeological Museum of Amphipolis in November, the archaeologists said: ' The tomb has obviously experienced human intervention, as we can see so far.

Archaeologists also found a female head belonging to a headless sphinx. Because it was found further into the tomb than the mythical creature's body, it suggests the tomb may have been opened years ago. The head has tumbling curls, (pictured) which experts say were once painted a red colour

THE ANCIENT MOSAIC

The mosaic measures 15 feet (4.5 metres) by 10 feet (3 metres) and covers the whole floor of a room, which is thought to be the ante chamber to the main burial room at Amphipolis.

It is composed of tiny pieces of white, black, blue, red, yellow and grey stone to form an image of a chariot drawn by two white horses, driven by a bearded man wearing a crown of laurel leaves.

Hermes, the messenger of the gods in ancient Greece, stands in front of the chariot, according to experts from the Greek Culture Ministry.

It has not been competely uncovered and a large section in the centre is missing.

The mosaic dates from the fourth century BC, matching dating of the other finds, which are from the time of Alexander the Great.

' Since the beginning of the announcements, we had said and repeated several times that we have very strong indications of looting.’

' Under the present evidence, we cannot speak of another room. This monument, as revealed, is extremely important, not just for the area and Macedonia alone, but also for history and archaeology.

' It also confirms that a lot of time needs to be spent on studying it: it's possible that the scientific community will be discussing this monument and its significance in the science of history and archaeology for the next 10 or 15 years even.’

Despite the discovery of the other chamber, experts were said to be convinced that important and valuable artefacts laid in the tomb have been removed.

There are even suggestions that British soldiers stationed in Macedonia during World War One, came across the tomb and removed artefacts.

Last year, the Greek Ministry of Culture recently showed off the mosaic measuring 15 feet (4.5 metres) by 10 feet (3 metres) that covers the whole floor of a room.

The female figure in it is Persephone – daughter of Zeus and the harvest goddess Demeter – who is wearing a white robe and riding in a chariot.

An imposing mosaic of Pluto driving a chariot (pictured) was also recently uncovered, adding weight to archaeologists’ suspicions that the burial mound could hold the remains of Alexander the Great's family

WHY MIGHT THE TOMB BELONG TO OLYMPIAS?

Expert Andrew Chugg thinks the sphinxes are similar to some found in the tomb of Alexander the Great's grandmother.

He thinks that queens of the time were associated with the mythical animals.

The sphinx statues are also similar to a pair at Saqqara, which is thought to be the site of the first tomb of Alexander the Great, before his body was moved.

The lion which was once top the burial mound has a similar façade to the tomb of Alexander the Great's father, Philip II.

This evidence suggests the burial was built for Olympias or Alexander the Great's wife, Roxanne who both died in the last quarter of the 4th century BC when the tomb was built.

Mr Chugg thinks it was for Olympias because the caryatid female figures are probably Klodones – the priestess of Dionysus.

A story by Greek writer Plutarch that Olympia's womb was closed by a lion seal – perhaps explaining the connection with the lion statue.

Experts say the scene shows her being abducted by Pluto and being led to the underworld.

She goes on to become queen of Hades for half of every year.

The scene, based on ancient Greek myths, was popular for illustrating tombs at the time and a mural on a similar theme is found in another royal tomb at Aiges, nearby.

The mosaic is composed of tiny pieces of white, black, blue, red, yellow and grey stone to form an image of a chariot drawn by two white horses, driven by a Pluto – a bearded man wearing a crown of laurel leaves.

It is being protected with layers of Styrofoam and a temporary wooden floor, while archaeologists work on revealing the tantalising contents of the next chambers.

The mosaic dates from the fourth century BC, matching dating of the other finds, which are also from the time of Alexander the Great.

There is widespread speculation over who was buried at the site – from Roxana, Alexander's Persian wife, to Olympias, the kings mother, to one of his generals.

A number of scholars believe that the presence of female figures, known as caryatids, show that the tomb belongs to a female.

Writer Andrew Chugg, who has published a book on the search for the legendary leaders tomb, as well as several academic papers, told The Greek Reporter that sphinxes guarding the tomb are decorated in a similar way to those found in the tombs of two queens of Macedon, including the kings grandmother.

The recently-uncovered mosaic shows Persephone being abducted by Pluto (pictured), who according to the ancient tale, is taking her to the underworld aboard a chariot

In Greek mythology, Persephone is the daughter of Zeus and the harvest goddess Demeter. The tale in which she is carried off to live in the underworld with Pluto, has inspired many great works of art, such as a statue by Gian Lorenze Bernini (left) and Dante Gabriel Rossetti (right) who chose to depict her with darker hair

He goes on to explain that the sphinxes guarding the tomb are most similar to a pair at Saqqara, which is thought to be the site of the first tomb of Alexander the Great – whose body, it is thought, was moved around after his death.

He also points out that the facades of the tombs of Alexander the Great's father, Philip III and Alexander IV, are similar to the façade of the lion monument found, which was thought to have originally stood atop the mystery tomb.

In addition to this there are also similarities between the Serres paving and rosettes and those found inside Phillip I's.

Enter the Amphipolis tomb with this 3D tour

With all this, he believes the grand burial was built for Olympias or Alexander the Great's wife, Roxane, who are both thought to have died at Amphipolis around the same time as the tomb's construction in the last quarter of the 4th century BC.

Mr Chugg thinks it was most likely built for Olympias because the caryatid female figures are probably Klodones – the priestess of Dionysus.

Greek writer Plutarch said in a biography about Alexander the Great that his mother consorted with the priestess.

In it, he writes that Philip II dreamt that he closed Olympia's womb with a lion seal, which perhaps explains the lion statue thought to have been placed on top of the mysterious burial mound.

Experts believe the ancient mound, situated around 65 miles (100km) from Thessaloniki, was built for a prominent Macedonian in around 300 to 325BC.

Clockwise from top right shows two headless, marble sphinxes found above the entrance to the barrel-vaulted tomb, details of the façade and the lower courses of the blocking wall, the antechamber's mosaic floor, a 4.2-metre long stone slab, and the upper uncovered sections of two female figures

not just for Greece but for the entire Balkanic peninsula, and described it as being of ' global interest '.

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras added the discovery ' is clearly extremely important '.

Alexander, who started from the northern Greek region of Macedonia to build an empire stretching as far as India, died in 323 B.C. and was buried in Egypt.

His fellow royals were traditionally interred in a cemetery near Vergina, to the west, where the lavishly-furnished tomb of Alexander's father, Philip II, was discovered during the 1970s.

But archaeologists believe the Amphipolis grave, which is surrounded by a surprisingly long and well-built wall with courses of marble decorations, may have belonged to a senior ancient official.

Dr Peristeri argued the mound was originally topped by a large stone lion that was unearthed a century ago, and is now situated around 3 miles (5km) from the excavation site.

Geophysical teams have identified there are three main rooms within the huge circular structure.

In the past, the lion has been associated with Laomedon of Mytilene, one of Alexander's military commanders who became governor of Syria after the kings death.

A paper sponsored by Harvard University that was published 70 years ago hints that this might be the case and that Laomedon worked as a language interpreter and sentry during the kings Asian campaigns, Greekreporter.com said.

Dionysus – the mythical God of mirth of feasting and mirth.

Posted by ancientweb

The ancients our ancestors were deified several moments and aspects of daily life or social life and things you couldn't if you interpret or justify passed through the works and creations like mythology "gods and imithewn».

In Greek mythology, In addition to the twelve gods of Olympus, that was the most important, There were other gods not residing in divine this mountain. One of them was and GodDionysos. Was the most jovial of the gods and of the most loved people and offered a vineyard and wine

The hilarious God travelling sequel, visiting many countries and States to learn people how to cultivate the vines and how to make from their fruit wine. And, of course,, as a God of joy and mirth, I was traveling alone. The follower a bustling crowd.

The crowd that you saw women who danced with Berserker way, the Maenads as was, and strange beings who were people and animals together, that they were called Satyroys and Silinoys. Sometimes depicted sitting right hand of the father in Olympia lofts.

THE Dionysos as a mythological entity "is neither child nor no man, but eternal teenager, occupying a position between the two». With this form, represents "the spirit of energy and transformational power of game ' full of cunning, deception and strategies that indicate either divine wisdom or the archetype of «katergari», present in almost all mythologies around the world.

Stalwarts of God start along with him on long trips. I head the Dionysus crossed the Egypt, the Libya other countries in Africa. Then they went and Asia, in Arabs, inLydoys, in Phrygians, reaching up and India,where the most daring Navigator failed to reach.

Elsewhere the welcome friendly, their laughing or elsewhere were like enemies. But always there was the goodness of Dionysus and his companions. Fast symfiliwnontan with residents, they learnt how to cultivate the vine. The wonderful drink he God dread everywhere the fun. Made people forget their sorrows and emblazoned on their faces smile. Where she started trikoyberto feasting and not were other anything despite the cheerful sounds of musical instruments and the vivid songs.

So how can these people not worshiped the God; And it was God, Although his mother was a mortal, theSemele, the daughter of the King of Thebes Cadmus. THE Dionysos However gained immortality, that buoyed the gods from mortals and because his father was the Jupiter but more because it was born from God the second time. As strange as it sounds, the Dionysos twice born.

When the Jupiter ensnared by the virginal beauty Semele, approached and joined with her. Fruit of their Union was theDionysos. The Ira, however, wasn't going to leave but forgivable that the infidelity of her husband. Blinded by jealousy and revenge dipswntas, appeared in Semeleand with cunning way persuaded her to ask her lover to appear as God, not with human form, as always appear in front of. This will prove that she really loves.

Naive and unsuspecting daughter Cadmus, the next time you visited the Jupiter in the kamara, asked him to get the divine form of. Vain tried Zeus with words of love to dissuade. Bending forward at the insistence of appeared majestic, bright throughout the divine greatness. But it was impossible to endure the lacking mortal Flash of lightning and strike that ektinassontan from his hands. At a time when the flames on the wound Jupiter saved the infant she had in her womb and the thigh of them.

When completed nine months, Dionysus xanagennithike from the foot of the divine father. The King of Immortals knew very well that the jealous wife will quickly turned their anger on the newborn child. So we commissioned Hermes the keeping of. He handed it to her sister Semele,την Ino. The crafty Juno though sent craze in Ino and her husband and began mercilessly kill their children. The goddess had hoped that will kill so and Dionysus, but the winged God went and rescued the little Dionysus and confided this time at Nymphs.

They raised him with great affection and love, in the forest where he lived. Indeed, nowhere else we could not imagine growing God of the vine, Despite an idyllic landscape filled with trees and colorful flowers. There can never meet people. And when the King Lykourgos disturb the tranquility of pet chasing the Nymphs, katatromazontas theDionysus, punished hard by the Jupiter, which the blinded. So tough was always the punishment for all those people who epiboyleyontan God Dionysus.

The same bad luck also had some Tyrrinoi pirates who captured the God. When they saw a new so beautiful and Husky, they believed that this is some archontopoylo or even King. Happy thinking that will reap many ransom to release him, they tried to tie with heavy chains, but to accomplish· with a slight movement of the God was shaking over it. The amyaloi mortals however continue their efforts.

Only the Wheelman of boat tried to reintroduce them to the logical: "You don't see amyaloi how it is God; Don't be afraid of punishment; It can be even Neptune, that we will avenge our boat into throwing wild tempest. The best that we have to do is let him free ".

The captain and the other does not agree to let them leave "such treasure". At that time began to flow in boat red wine that stunned with the divine scent of sailors. At the same time a Klima began to wrap the mast and spreads loaded with juicy grapes branches throughout the boat. Watched bemused while the sailors, another miracle is before their eyes: the handsome young man who wanted to capture transforms into a fierce lion that the brychithmoi make the sailors to jump overboard to escape.

All transformed theDionysos in dolphins and not only felt mattered by rewarding him for his wisdom. As we have seen, Dionysus was loved and adored by people because they enjoyed the great taste of wine. They say that for the first time showed the King ofAetolia, the Oeneus. The tsopanis of, stafilos, had found a strange plant full of fruit and excited by the spiciness brought them and the King to thank him.

THE Oineas estypse zoymeroys them off and enjoyed the rich their juice. Since then Dionysus named him the wine and fruit juice grapes by the name of tsopani. Always with thyrso in a hand and a pot of wine in other cities had been browsing. Where find hospitable and friendly people, the learning how to make wine. So was and with residents of Ikaria,in Attiki, They greeted him with enthusiasm. Shortly before leaving their place, He advised the King in Icarian to preserve well the wine that made. But he did not follow his advice – "what harm can come from such an enjoyable drink!"thought.

The tsopanides of, someday, they found the barrels and drank so much wine that got drunk and started behaving with wild way. Having lost their sensible killed Icarian and his daughter Erigone from the heartache of suicide. The inhabitants of Ikaria particularly venerated the God Dionysus· in this area was cultivated much the dithyramb, the hymn to God, who composed the musical Arion. Indeed, They added something new. In music this anthem added lyrics. And because this composition the sang people disguised in Satyroys called tragomorfoys tragedy.

Of Course, devotional events for the God of the vine were, and in many other areas. Those who attended these events had to participate actively drinking wine and dancing under the influence of intoxication. Those who refused, were enemies of God and have attracted the wrath of. So, tragic end found Pentheawho wanted to keep hidden the orgiastic feasts. The Maenads, one of which was the mother of, in the frenzy that had occupied, pounced on and devoured. Persistently refused to take part in the devotional rites the King's daughters Minos, as the King Proitoy. The Prosblimenos Dionysosthe did lose their logical. Others say that for the fury that captured the young daughters of Proitoycause was the Juno.

Hard Punisher shows the Dionysos his enemies and those who are opposed to the way worship. At the same time generous benefactor to those who honor him and thank him.

When the King Midashosted his teacher, the old man Silino, that was lost, He agreed to fulfill his desire to thank him. The avid Midasasked to what,what he catches turns into gold. Soon the poor guy found that would become fabulously rich but would die of hunger and thirst. The bread that was touching to eat turned to gold and water she wanted to drink in Golden drops. Repentant asked God to make him as before and Dionysus who pitied told him that if he bathed in the waters of Paktwloythe River will offload the torments of.

God of feasting had many erotic adventures, like the other gods. The women in his life had a different location: There were safety pins when he was young and his fellow f ' nonstop celebrations of.

I once fell in love with the beautiful Ariadne,When he saw her sleeping calmly and serenely, looking like Goddess. His daughter Minos along with the Theseus returning to the Athens from the Crete. Waking up one morning to Naxosthe Ariadne see how her partner left and abandoned. Without knowing the same, He had come Dionysos (f) ' dreamTheseus and threats forced him to flee to his beautiful new.
All alone as it was in the desert island, like the Savior God appeared in front of, new, stocky, crowned as usual with trailing Ivy. After their wedding was, thrown by the chariot of God towards heaven.

The earth people were thanking him for the gift of the divine and the peace that their generously spread. The celebrations that were held in honor of was an unrelenting revelry, where all methoysan and sang. In this way were trying to communicate with their Dear God. Information that we hire from the Linear 2nd lead us to the assumption that the Dionysos as ancient deity was already known in the 12th century

The cult of the associated with the celebrations of vegetation, of the Holy madness caused by the drinking of wine and fertility. Common element in devotional practices is the point of Ecstasy, Sometimes the orgiastikis frenzy, that releases from the care of everyday life, giving the name Lysios.Apart from the fact that his name was associated with one of the finest forms of Greek speech, the drama in honor of organized metaloprepeis celebrations, like the "Dionysia" in fields,the ' Lenaia», "Flower Festival" and the "Dionysia".

There are three main forms, that shows theDionysos in the cult of. With emblem the phallus , the tree-hence the name Dendrite- or the Bull is a God of fertility and protector of crops, mainly the vine. In the second form is the enthoysiastikos Dionysos, with the emblems thyrso and theTorch, as well as the sequence, of The Maenads, of Play "Bacchae", of Thyiadwn, of Linwn and of Bassaridwn, like carrying the mythological narration. In the third and oldest form of entity of the underworld and bring the name Zagreus (the great Hunter).

He is the son of katachthonioy Jupiter and of the Persephone. In this third form Orfikoi the incorporated as their principal divinity, coming in contrast with the dionysiastes, fans of exhilarating Dionysus

With the Dionysus God of trees and plants made the return to "animality passion» of nature, away from the restrictions and references the "streamlining", something that distinguished directly at Bacchae of Euripides. With the name «bromios» latreythike mainly as a God born from the grain ' bromos ' and the alcoholic beverage that is produced, without being sure what exactly is this grain, probably was the oats

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The Sagalassos. The “Diamond” left behind by the m. Alexander

Salagassos

Sagalassos archaeological site is in southwestern Turkey, about 100 kilometres north of Antalya(Turkish: Antalya), and 30 kilometers from Burdur and the Isparta (Ancient Sparta of Asia minor). CONTINUE THE READING

Τι συμβολίζει η αρπαγή της Περσεφόνης από τον Πλούτωνα;

The amazing Macedonian tomb of Amphipolis found the mythological expression that shows the abduction of Persephone by Pluto. Same with the expression of Royal Tombs at Aigai! Only at Aigai is painting in Amphipolis mosaic. It should, however, like to emphasise another important difference: In relation to all the respective performances of this myth, not only at Aigai, but in vessels or elsewhere, only in Amphipolis Riches is the laureate! It may be no coincidence that! If therefore implies a glorious death, I suggest the endoxotero of all deaths.

With each commitment to humility of an unskilled, This article was written shortly after the revelation of Persephone in the mosaic of Amphipolis. Participate in the discussion of unskilled, no special, and, as such, does not address at all the archaeological work, Alas! But he wants to make some comments on ... observations and published by specialists and non-, always in everything,What is the myth of Persephone and the reason parastainetai in Amphipolis, We don't want to say anything about the actual tomb, only t "necessary connecting factors matter:

Although they have excavated more than a hundred Macedonian tombs, only at Aigai and Amphipolis shows the representation of Persephone! So to be "hallmark" of a certain dynasty. As the laureate Pluto, This means something, It cannot be a coincidence. Clearly define a dividing line between the tombs of Kings and, from the other, the graves of generals, of officials or of the rich. So if the expression implies that the "abduction of Persephone" is used only in the Tomb by members of the Royal family of the Macedonians, will be confirmed or disproved in the end of excavation.

For the moment, even thinks or hopes, No one dares to say that it is the tomb of Alexander, because historical sources nowhere report transfer of remains of Macedonia.

Our theme is: What job does the "abduction of Persephone by Pluto" in a funerary monument and even in "replay; That the show is not on another Macedonian Tomb, but it is in Amphipolis, does that mean the lodger belongs to the Royal family the Temenids; If Yes, why in Amphipolis and not at Aigai;

The answer is not at all easy, at least for now. Impression indeed cause countless "kotsanes" that incident involving countless locals and foreign specialists, archaeologists or teachers of reputed universities, articles or analysis of which host famous newspapers and magazines. Impression causes the sebastiki and view these "scientific opinions" from the domestic media who (chazocharoymena, you would think) show the one and the other theory cultivating supposed magic and awe that causes the monument, but cultivating the overall confusion. Not only is that they all have ruled before finishing the work of excavation (act constituting an unscientific, and unethical behavior, Anyway) is that in practice they proved their incompetence in the reading of ancient Greek Thought. Do linear view of history, Unlike the philosophy of Hellenism that is circular. The aposymbolismos of ancient legends and paintings or mosaics expressions illustrating the ancient myths, is, as it seems, unknown to the scientific community, unknown even to lovers of ancient Greece! In this case, in the face of Persephone who grabs the Pluto, looking at the ... Roxane. Other, After, says that, not, Roxane descended from today's Afghanistan, Hence cannot be kokkinomala, Therefore it is the Olympics that descended from the continent and was the mother of Alexander the great! Other sees in the face of mercury the same Alexander at a young age. WHAT,what being "Yes! Scientist is, What,what they're saying! Who will challenge;

The General Secretary of the Ministry of culture, Lina Mendoni explains that this show has symbolic importance and may indicate some relationship of the deceased in the grave with the Macedonian Royal House. "We find the scene of the abduction of Persephone in the mural of the so-called tomb of Persephone, in the Royal Cemetery of Aigai. We have a second display with Pluto and Persephone, in a scene the sacred marriage, the marble throne, the tomb of Eurydice, Philip's mother, στις Αιγές. The political symbolism is very powerful in all seasons. The clean burial theme with Persephone is linked to the cults of the underworld and the Dionysiac rites in which the priest was the head of the House of Macedon "stressed the Secretary General.

Very properly! Only that "the abduction of Persephone" does not relate only to the Dionysiac rites, as Mrs Mendoni notes, connected with the Orfikes. It was the main topic in the eleusinian Mysteries, where worshipped Ceres and Persephone along. Also no coincidence, After the Kings of Macedon, Therefore and Alexander, He was privy to the Cabeiri Mysteries, which was not at all different from the eleusinian, proof that "the abduction of Persephone" is common. The Cabeiri Mysteries the Macedonian Kings member served as high priests. Very important information! The question now is: Could join "the abduction of Persephone by Pluto" in a (Macedonian) Tomb, the lodger which wouldn't be high priest of the eleusinian mysteries Kaviria or; The answer is categorical: Not. Thus the tomb of Amphipolis definitely belongs to the tenant in the Royal family of the Temenids and, definitely, sigoyrotata, It is not some general, is not Ifaistiwna, Neither Nearchou, Neither Roxanne, Neither of Cassander, nor other. Did the Olympiad; Could be in the Olympics, If there wasn't in the middle of the Leo. Does, then, his son Alexander; Could the small tomb was the son of Alexander, If he had he could become high priest of Kaviria Mysteries! It is clear, however, that he did not, After amoystako child murdered. So is neither indeed.

That being the case... Let's take things from the beginning and let's remember the ancient legend that recounts the abduction of Persephone by Pluto. From the narration that something can come out ...

The myth of Persephone

Persephone was the daughter of the goddess Demeter and Zeus. Zeus decided to make his own Dimitra that, Although Belle, disregards for men, If it is possible! What to do and he; Transformed into a bull! Sue says, not content with half measures the Lady, exceptional qualifications are needed here, not interested in men the woman, (e), cannot, a bull will sit ntabrantismeno, will tell me a song. The calculation of proved infallible. What would God incidentally if they could not see into the depths of the mind! Abyss of the soul of a woman, even for a God, ναι, but for a mpermpanti God like Zeus, such was certainly something knick knack... The bull ghastly Dimitra, He was given more pleasure, body and soul, as they say, a sunny day, There's something solitary meadows. Put now scene! Nowadays the bestiality is a criminal offence. Em, the opposite, What was supposed to be; Anyway,, as always happens with the divine love, the Nice Dimitra became pregnant. Nine months later he was born a girl, named Persephone.

As grew Persephone, grew and the beauty of. The Riches and sees suffers psychic tralala. God of Hell like fell in love and decided to steal. I could ask her hand like a gentleman, But what mother would give her blessing to a marriage with the ruler of the underworld; The legend in the bosom of the will to evaporate from in front of the exapodw. According to the Homeric hymn to Demeter, the young Persephone was gathering flowers in Nysio field. The syntrofeyan Athena, Artemis and the Oceanid nymph. Carefree Persephone, moved away from the company of, seeking the most beautiful flower. When he bent down to catch a Daffodil, the land was divided in the middle and from the bowels appeared a chariot. Driver was the Pluto that with one hand clutching the reins of horses and the other grabbed the gorgeous girl. The cries are not heard by anyone and Persephone found Queen in the black Kingdom of the underworld.

Vain Demeter was searching for her daughter by day and by night. Than sorry, the land and the crops began to languish. After long, the Sun you see everything from the sky, pitied the inconsolable goddess and told her where her daughter was. Susan demanded to return Persephone, otherwise they would leave the Earth to xananthisei. Zeus, motivated by the prayers of people who were hungry, ordered Pluto to release Persephone.

God of Hell had no other choice than to obey, but, Sly and deceitful as it was (in front of Satan does not work trick) first gave Persephone to eat a pomegranate. And, do you think IE ... well, so long was not eating anything the girl, foodless had the bum; Details! The Pluto knew that, If the girl consumed food in the Underworld, I was then tied with him and could not leave. (E); Something like magic potion IE ... Persephone ate six seeds and thus sealed the fate of. When he learned the Dimitra, was furious (the law is the law, Sue says, even for the gods) and to tide over Jupiter, He suggested a compromise: For every seed that Persephone ate, I lingered a month in hell! Scalpel-like solution: Half outta, half from then! Well, the girl you spent half the time next to her mother and the other half with Pluto. Susan accepted the judgment, but it never overcame the loss of her daughter.

Since then six months that Persephone was in Hades, Demeter mourning and with mourning and the nature. The trees lose their foliage, asthenoysan crops and severe winter fall on Earth. Though, When Persephone returned to her mother, the joy of Demeter prasinize the Earth and plants blossom.

At this point I would borrow them one published a wonderful description of the mural of goats (We do not know the author):

The mural at Aigai

The mural with the abduction of Persephone has been found in a tomb at Aigai kibwtioschimo with dimensions of 3 x 4, 5 m. who is dating around 350 e.g.. and who belonged to a young woman about 25 years old who have died in childbirth and was buried here along with the infant of, which is believed to be one of the seven wives of Philip II, probably nicesipolis of Feres, the mother of Thessalonica. On the North wall of the Tomb lies the stunning fresco. In the middle of the image dominates the chariot with four white horses. Hades, more great than "all other forms of, grabbed the prey and jumps in the chariot. At the right hand of the King of the dead tightens the scepter of power and the reins of horses, shaken with the front legs in the air, starting already in their frantic Gallop. Between his legs, imprisoned in the dark bosom of the, the Pluto keeps tight Persephone. The daughter is naked. Her dress slipped and fell. Only stayed the lanyard that clutched on her shoulder and her purple cloak hides the IVI, it becomes the background for soft hips and lost his smigontas with purple drape of Pluto. In a last-ditch attempt to escape, her daughter shaken backward, her body stretched, tender like flower stalk, get away from the demands and the arm that clench like pincer. Perfectly weak, stretching out the armrests, desperately begging for help that will not come. The wind gets her hair, the eyes of the reign, the person becomes a mask of despair. The daughter's refusal to accept her fate, the desire to hook in the world who is forced to leave and "aversion to Hades it becomes obvious through the movement of the body of which is totally contrary to his own and through the removal of their heads. With an extremely dynamic and extremely bold design, Open composition, based on intensity, but to balance that produce two intersecting diagonals, a finding that rather he introduces in the traditional iconography of Rapture, the artist manages to "get all the dramatic tension of the confrontation with the Hunter's prey, the male with the female, of life with death.

Behind the chariot, in the eastern corner of the image, misogonatismeni in soil, a friend of Persephone is watching the drama, petrwmeni of fear. Her dress slipped and her breasts are naked, but the imatio of the golden brown in baggy menexelia edging the wraps still, forming a warm wreath, inside, which stresses the seductive whiteness of her skin. Bent in two lifts a hand to preserve, looks like it wants to leave and cannot, frozen like a nightmare, involuntary witness of abhorrent. Her eyes designed completely sparingly, two grammoyles and a boylitsa all and yet manage to express perfectly the ineffable terror ...

Like morphological, but conceptual counterpoint to the passivity of the daughter's syntrofissas, that with terror accepts the fatal, on the other side of the show appears Hermes. With the Caduceus, the magic wand that giteyei the souls of the dead, the only traditional and recognizable symbol of the show, at hand, the dark is here nymfopompos psychopompos wedding & running, almost flying on tiptoe of, leads the chariot in the West, in the land of the dead.

The interpretation of myths

If the modern reader or researcher could exculpate "n, even temporarily, from the Orthodox or Catholic christianokentriki reading East and West or, even better, and by the counterpoint of the Olympians gods with God of the old and New Testament, could identify a focal conceptual point, useful key to decoding of the myth:

In "West reading", but in "Eastern reading", Zeus is an incorrigible flirtatious and whatever hottie "of gyalize", the stalked up to make his own. But the "Greek reading", a number of both, says that any love of Zeus (every one love from innumerable erwtes of) It symbolizes the meeting of two natural forces, one fertilizes the other in order to obtain always a new physical strength. No love of Zeus is not "arid". You could say that no love of Zeus is not just for pleasure or, How would say some today, "on the bed". All the encounters resulted in the birth of a hero or a heroine, a new God or a new goddess, panapei, the birth of a new physics force. So: The physical force that fertilizes, symbolized with the male (Jupiter, who is the original, the primary power) and physical strength that is impregnated (every time one further physical strength) symbolized with the female. The known word "hybrid" means the intersection of the two elements to produce a new, which will be stronger component of parenting. But if this intersection is made by human rather than divine hands, the "hybrid", that means: Hubris Zeus. I.e., hubris in God. I.e., violation of nature. So Zeus is the nature.

All are symbols. And these symbols were taught in the eleusinian or Cabeiri Mysteries, where was high-priest says, the King of Macedonia! Hence the persistent representation for the abduction of Persephone by Pluto "in Royal Tombs. Zeus, Dimitra, Persephone, the Pluto. Is Holy, It's archetypal symbols by themselves mean something very important and all together, at their meeting, something very important. But ... What;

With the revelation of the funerary monument of Amphipolis discussions and publications worldwide. Eminent archaeologists and university professors are trying to interpret what that highlights a little-bit the hoe of k. Peristeri. We have listed here some sample excerpts of publications:

Ian Goyordingkton, Professor of classics, University of Missouri, believes that the excavators are in a tomb belonging to a woman, as the mosaic shows a woman driven to the underworld. If proven, Adds the Goyordingkton, then the Tomb might host the Roxane, wife of m. Alexandrou, or his mother Olympias. Both women were from cassander, one of the generals of Alexander the great, When he ascended the throne of ancient Macedonia», complements.

"Based on classical texts kassandros burried the Roxanne and her son in Amphipolis the 310 eg, so it's likely to be that the mound dweller ", noted Professor, According to the magazine. "But other evidence suggests the Olympiad. Alexander wanted to deified his mother, like the woman in the chariot of Hades. Extra, the Olympics continued to retain political power and after the death of Commander. Although murdered by cassander and his allies, "I think that could be honored with a tumulus ', highlighted by Philip Freeman, Professor of classical studies at Luther College in Iowa.

The author Andrew Tsagk speaks at Discovery and analyzes his opinion because the inlay this might be the most complete portrait of Alexander the great at a young age. Through this view Chang believes that strengthened the theory that the tomb is buried the Olympiad, mother of Macedonian King.

"The mosaic depicts Hermes, the Pluto and Persephone. In fact the representation of Rapture Persephone has human matches "argues Andrew Tsagk, author of the book "in search of the tomb of Alexander the great".

"I believe that Persephone represents the face of the woman who is buried in the Tomb, which led to the underworld "notes the author.

This means that there is some major Queen of Macedonia, which died somewhere between the 325-300 e.g.. probably in Amphipolis, so we can assume that this is the Olympics or Roxanne.

Andrew Tsagk considers it more likely that the grave be located the Olympiad since archaeologists discovered the female statues and Sphinxes of Karyatidon inside the Tomb.

Roxane, the wife of Alexander the great, came from the area of today's Afghanistan, something that makes it extremely rare chance is in reality redhead. In contrast the Olympiad originated from the Molossoys of Epirus, where the red hair was something ordinary, "says author in Discovery. However, in its analysis of the Chang go one step further and claims that the other two persons of mosaic, Mercury and Pluto, have significant similarities with both "protagonists" of life of Olympiad. Pluto has a form that looks pretty in Philip II ", her husband and father of Alexander Olympias. It's uncrowned king and has filmed like the right side of his head. The right eye of Philip were mangled because of a wound from an arrow during the battle.

Another approach

The abduction of Persephone by Pluto is a grave issue that comes straight from the Orphic and Eleusinian philosophy or the Cabeiri Mysteries. It may not be a coincidence that Philip's mother was called Evridiki, just like the beloved wife of Orpheus descended into Hades. The story of Orpheus Evridikis House closely resembles the story of Persephone, Demeter. "Grave matter" means that the expression does not represent persons who descended into Hades, as the Honourable Prof claim "all teachers around the world, but symbolizes the deeper substance of death, parastainei mythological soul and highs of the soul from the spiritual to the material world and vice versa. In the expression of Amphipolis, where for the first time we meet Pluto dafnostefanwmeno, indicates a glorious death, the endoxoteros of all deaths. And such was the death of Alexander. Consequently, the tomb of Alexander, either inside of his great Commander, or not. This at least through the use of symbols tells the mosaic of Persephone!

The architecture of the monument "tells" and something else important: The Sphinxes, the Caryatids, After the mosaic with the abduction of Persephone, represent a climactic sequence myitikwn levels, each higher than the previous, with its own booth each. The tomb of Amphipolis the halls are more than any other Macedonian tomb and this means that the lodger is the more versed than "all, someone who possesses the maximum degree of initiation, in other words, high priest of the mysteries, superior property and from the Royal, so here we have a Macedonian King, No General of Alexander, Neither Roman or Romans, If, Anyway,, regarded as correct the case of some archaeologists that the tomb is a downstream. It is not and that is why "downstream!

At the end of the excavation will learn why the tomb was in Amphipolis and not at Aigai. For the moment, We can make the case that, most likely all be, the Macedonian empire built by Alexander, to have a new capital, a large port, right next to the chrysoforo Pageo and huge granary of Struma. Amphipolis was then a city much larger than the glorified Athens, the wall was 7,5 km, of Athens was only 6 km! Where else could a better seat for the Navy of the great King, in force which was based the land campaign against the Persians; Moreover, we know from historical sources that Alexander was interested in the West and had begun preparations for the campaign of the West. How I did it without Navy; Could Alexander n "ignore the experience of (Very Amfipoliwti) war Nearchou; Excluded! The transfer of the capital to Amphipolis could therefore be the first strategic step for the campaign that has already begun to prepare Alexander against the West.

But let's see in more detail the mythological theme: Where it comes from the word "Persephone" and what it means;

Persephone. Persefassa. Fersefassa. Ferefassa. Ferefatta. Fersefaassa

As the ferolbios, the bearing eytychian or feroplos, the bearing arms. Trustworthy. Promising. Mouthpiece. For the first part and the second synthetic: Decision. Contradiction. Affirmation.

Fersefaassa well. The bearing the ancient reason was said to be valid forever. The connoisseur of ancient Speech. The adept. For "this and the Temple of Persephone was called Ferrefattion.

Persephone was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. Dimitra = Ca Mother = Earth Mother. On the relationship of Zeus with Dimitra Zeus represents the celestial world and Ceres represents the earthly world. Their daughter Persephone represents life that is born from the conjugation of celestial and earth things, It implies that life on Earth contains uranium and the underground element. Life on Earth is a conjugation of celestial and earth elements. This shows the "love" of Zeus and the Mother, the Earth Mother, Demeter. In the Homeric hymn which meets and as a daughter of Cronus and Rhea. He namely symbolism, absolutely he: Commingling again of the heavenly and the earthly element. Love of Zeus to Earth. Persephone, secondary to this love, represents the Union of the heavenly and the earthly element, as a carrier and two elements knows the ancient Reason, knowing the fate and has (or should have) consciousness of spiritual beings trapped in matter.

Persephone lives six months into the upper world and six months in the underworld. This symbolizes the births and deaths sustained by the daughter of Father Zeus and Earth Mother (Demeter) until it reaches back into the prior theosis, She had until I grabbed the Pluto. And which will rediscover, When will escape from Pluto. But until then I will go back and forth from the upper to the lower world and vice versa.

If Persephone eat the seeds of the pomegranate, trapped forever in the underworld and "it incites the Pluto. The seeds of the pomegranate symbolize the countless number of lives, the countless number of births and deaths, the countless i.e. number of incarnations of the soul, you will need to escape the Nice daughter, i.e. the soul, from Pluto's dark clamp, i.e. of matter. Persephone momentarily fooled and eats only six spores, for "this and descends to Hades only six months a year. The number six here and six symbolizes "Heaven" that correspond to the underworld, the six levels of spiritual elevation is required until the conquest of the seventh. The soul that ascends in "seventh heaven", relieved from the pain of multilayer and painful births and deaths. The seventh seed of the pomegranate symbolizes the next sky, which also consists of six tiers. If Persephone ate seven seeds of the pomegranate, would offload the captivity of Pluto. Like the "apartments" that has the pomegranate, each of which has many seeds, so are the many spiritual layers that must traverse the soul to unite again with God, as it once was.

So, the months that Persephone is in the upper world, the goddess Dimitra rejoice and there was good weather, While the other six months there was bad weather. The joy of Demeter corresponds to the release of the soul that has hardware offload body. Respectively the regret corresponds to the period that the soul is imprisoned in material body. The youthfulness of Persephone corresponds to the eternal youth of soul, i.e. in the immortality of the soul. That, though, some time trapped in matter. Is the time within eternity that begin births and deaths, incarnations and aposarkwseis.

Pausing a bit in "that phrase: "Susan has accepted the decision, but it never overcame the loss of her daughter ". To stand, because this means that God did not forget about ever drop of the soul to the underworld. "Sleeping and wakes" with anticipation to turn the immortal soul in the eternal heavenly dwelling of ...

Conclusion

The myth of Persephone encapsulates the entire Greek philosophy on life and death. So do many other Greek myths, everyone from "which illuminates in the same context, different applications. The decoding of the myth of Persephone reveals all the Orphic teaching for the before and the after life, reveals all that knowledge you have hidden from people religions, each in her own way and for reasons of.

In what,What is the funerary monument of Amphipolis, the abduction of Persephone by Pluto "testifies occupant of the same Royal clan with the occupant of the tomb of goats. The lodger he knows the maximum truth, in other words, Privy, knows the full aposymbolismo of legend, because it is high priest of Kaviria Mysteries, that has risen to the fullest extent of initiation, i.e. hold, Cosmic, of Knowledge yperkosmias. He too, in this period of time dating back to the grave, only Alexander. There may be other, not even the Olympics, because she was not high priest, Apart and left at the foot of leaving for his campaign, "but in this case, the fact that he was murdered by cassander, excludes such price performance. Such a majestic monument built only for the powerful of the day, never for the loser. The policy has its limits... But strong of the day, even dead, then and until today, none other than Alexander.

And if you make a mistake in this, never mind. The important thing is not in any case, the discovery of the tomb of Alexander, in Amphipolis or elsewhere, and the salvation of the country once again from the dead,, the tourist exploitation of the monument for the sake of the unemployed of cheimazomenis Greece, would a new hubris, Chiron of the first. It is clear: Most important of all is the revelation of maximal knowledge about what encoding and what wants to say to humanity the secular myth of Persephone. This, only this, will shatter the darkness prevailing on Earth.

Pantoleon Flwropoylos

http://agriniovoice.gr

Ancient Greeks: Golden Age of Civilization | History Channel Documentary

Alexander The Great-era tomb discovered

In August, a team of archaeologists has uncovered the entrance to a tomb in Amphipolis, in northern Greece, in an area that was once part of the ancient kingdom of Macedonia. Very quickly, the tomb is dated to the time of Alexander the Great.

Since then, scientists, supported by the workers, working to excavate the tomb, revealing the secrets gradually. First of all, we have seen a remarkable pair of sphinxes guarding the entrance. Then came two caryatids, female-columns statues. More recently, door leftovers, and a sumptuous mosaic depicting the abduction of Persephone by Hades, god of the underworld.

There is still much work to complete the excavation, which raises an important question: who is buried there? For Greek archaeologists near certainty: it is a member of the Macedonian royal family, so a member of the family of Alexander. But which one? The answer is still the subject of speculation.

The family of Alexander the Great, worthy of "Game of Thrones"

Alexander the Great is one of those historical figures around which a myth is built, surrounded by theatrics and mystery.

King at age 20, a student of Aristotle, he died at 33 years (probably disease), in 323 BCE, after having made himself master of an empire from Greece to India. He left a family, an official heir, and generals who were eager to share his empire. He survived his mother, Olympias, his wife, Roxana, and his posthumous son, Alexander.

A family also worthy of "Game of Thrones" Olympias would hand in the assassination of her husband Philip, Roxane have killed his two other co-wives, wife Cassandra Alexander's half-sister and is in stride murder Roxanne and her son a few years after stoning Olympias... A real Greek tragedy.

The 7 "candidates" to the grave

– Alexander the Great himself, it should be part of eliminated automatically. History records that in fact his embalmed body, back from Babylon, place of death, was simply "hacked" by one of his lieutenants, Ptolemy. The latter, in charge of Egypt, has also subsequently founded his own pharaonic dynasty, which ended with the famous Cleopatra VII. Ptolemy would have wanted to recover the body of his lord, no doubt hoping political advantage. Alexander would have been buried in Alexandria, a city he had founded and which bore his name. However, we never found the tomb nor the mummified remains, which would have had many adventures before disappearing in the various natural disasters that devastated the ancient city of Alexandria in late antiquity.

– Philip II, father of Alexander was already discovered his tomb in 1977 in Vergina, also in the north of Greece, 170 km of the current excavations of Amphipolis. The tomb was intact, and many indices (including a facial injury whose story reported) were the body to match that of Philip. A controversy has yet smoldered for years, challenging the identity of the body, but a recent anthropological study would confirm that it was indeed the father of Alexander. Note that his face was modeled in the early 80s, a feat at a time when the facial reconstructions computer could still appear like science fiction.

– Alexander, son of Alexander posthumous son and theoretical heir to an empire already divided between the general of the king, he was taken in Macedonia by Roxane, his mother. Both under the protection of Olympias, Alexander's mother, they ended up being killed on the orders of General Cassandra, a few years after the death of Olympias. Cassandra did not want to have any legitimate heirs may challenge its rights to the Macedonian throne. Alexander IV was then 12 or 13 years. One theory is that his body would be part of those found in Vergina tomb complex with that of Philip II.

– Olympias, Alexander's mother: She is reputed to have belonged to a Dionysian worship, having engaged in orgies and sleep with snakes. On the death of her son, she supported the Cassandra opponent to the throne of Macedonia, and eventually stoned. Cassandra is said that denied him the right to a funeral, which would exclude it from the list because of Amphipolis, though his followers could bury semi-clandestinely. Other clues would point towards him: the caryatids, the fact that some Dionysian symbols were discovered, and even mosaic which represent kidnapped by Philip II, with Alexander leading the procession Hermes. This is certainly the view taken by Andrew Chugg, author of "Alexander the Great: The Lost Tomb ".

– Roxanne, wife of Alexander native of Bactria, located north of present-day Afghanistan, she took his son and heir in Macedonia, where it ends murdered, probably at the age of 33 years. It may well be the occupant of the tomb of Amphipolis. Caryatids and mosaic Persephone removal are symbols that would point more towards a female royal rank, corresponding to Roxane.

– Cleopatra, sister of Alexander: She was murdered in 308 BC. After the kings death, she was sought in marriage by those who wanted to legitimize accession to the throne of Macedonia. It could also be buried at Amphipolis.

– Half-brothers, cousins...: the family was extended. Examples include Philip III, half-brother of Alexander and who succeeded him in title as king of Macedonia. Cassandre, the former general who had married Thessalonike, half-sister of Alexander, it would be buried in one of the new tombs discovered in the spring in Vergina.

Archaeology reality TV version?

Probably in a few weeks we will have the answer to the question of a hectic emergency: who can occupy an old tomb more than 2,300 years old? The ancient history enthusiasts hold their breath, but archeology can it end up well under media pressure?

The 3D view of the tomb

To dig such a monument, it takes time, patience. The walls and ceiling must be strengthened so that nothing collapses, searches must be done sensitively to avoid damage (or lack) an object of importance. But today, the tomb is under siege, not by looters, but by the media, who want every day new information.

This is understandable, of course. Personally, I am this "soap opera" since mid-August, while we would not look at me do even one episode of "Secret Story". We live in a fleeting curiosity of civilization and immediate, and the suspense of this major archaeological discovery is the one to serials twists.

However, it is hoped that those in charge of the excavations manage to resist this pressure, and that we deliver in due time the identity of the (or) occupant (s) of the tomb of Amphipolis. If I had to make a prediction, I would go for Roxane

http://hertfordshire-archaeological-trust.co.uk

THE “Varia” Alexander's memory in Macedonia

On five hundred years after his death – write annals of era- Macedonians thought that Alexander lived among them. Klagges weapons, Shield gdoypoi, Cavalry podobolita, and heavy steps warriors, listened to every so often on the mountains and in the plains of. Had zimwthei both are of, so it was impossible to believe that they had left and disappeared.

Alexander the great in the narratives of the Koran

Writes the Valia Papanastasopoulou // *

The mysterious Dhu al-Qarnayn (= Doo Al-Karnaϊn)

Much talk was in previous months for the monumental tomb of Amphipolis in Kasta Hill and the identity of the deceased or of the dead that was hiding for centuries within the bowels of. Speculations in the media have enormous dimensions and already written many texts on the subject and while the archaeological process was still underway. The revelation of the tomb – the existence of which was known in the scientific community since the 1960s, When the late d. Lazaridis made a first excavation – sparked, as expected, the popular imagination of modern Greek and led many to stimulate again the story of the lost tomb of the great Macedonian Commander.

The charm of the person and the conquests of m. Alexander is not a new case, but one fact that spread in literature and the imagination of peoples with whom they had contacted the Macedonian King and not only. Within this context, not surprisingly, the presence of Alexander and the literature of the Arab world, But what you may not be well-known in the broader Greek audience is a possible reference to the face of m. Alexander inside the Koran.

The Koran is the sacred book of Islam and in surah Al Kachf (= Cave) a mysterious person named – certainly symbolic nickname – are Dhu al-Qarnayn (ذو القرني ن ) (= Doo Al-Karnaϊn). The narrative (18, 83-98) mentions that there was once a mighty hero, who traveled to both ends of the world, Eastern and Western, i.e. in points, where the sun rises and sets. This was the Dhu al-Qarnayn, who, continuing his journey to other parts of the Earth, arrived in front of two big mountains, in the shade of which lived a peculiar breed. The people of this tribe are characterized by the recitation of the Koran as sub-human and animal behavior, but nevertheless seek the help and protection of Dhu al-Qarnayn in order to repel the Gog and Magwg, who lived beyond these two mountains and frightened this breed. The Dhu al-Qarnayn will give the solution to their problem, constructing a giant wall of iron and fire blocking the unclean Nations Gog and Magwg to enter. According to the Koran this wall still exists even today and will be destroyed only during the day of judgement. Then hordes of Gog and Magwg will stream and will torment the whole world.

The Gog and Magwg, already known from the book of the old testament, presented in the book of the Apocalypse of John as enemies of humanity. The keeping of them behind a firewall from the m. Alexander first mentioned by Jerome, While it was known this story and in the 6th century. in some Syrian versions of the legend of Alexander.

Who is but the Dhu al-Qarnayn in the Qur'an and how it could be identified with the m. Alexander; The phrase Dhu al-Qarnayn in Arabic means "the bearing two horns». Comes from the word dhu and binary number of the word karn (= Horn). The identity of the Dhu al-Qarnayn has been the source of much speculation over the years. Although opinions vary, the classical Muslim exegetes of the Qur'an considers as the most common identification of Dhu al-Qarnayn with Alexander the great person.

Really, the name itself Dhu al-Qarnayn (= bearing two horns) It is particularly revealing the sources of the text of the Koran, as the title was actually a commonly used adjective for the m. Alexander since antiquity. In fact this title is the result of Alexander's connection with the horned sygkritistiki Egyptian deity, known by the name Zeus-Amun, which led to the depiction of the Macedonian king with two horns of a RAM to protrude from his head. The iconography of the god Amun will continue to be associated with Alexander, even after his death. The god Amun had become particularly important for Alexander after his visit to the sanctuary of God in Siva of Egypt at which point Alexander himself to call God many times his father. After the death of Alexander, people of his close environment incorporated horns of Amun in the iconography of Alexander, as seen for example in the currencies, an illustration that has been preserved for many centuries in art.

Nevertheless, It is not only the name of Dhu al-Qarnayn that identifies that person with the m. Alexander, but the fact that the story of Dhu al-Qarnayn in the Qur'an shows a large degree of similarity with the myths and legends developed around the m. Alexander in the centuries that followed his death. More specifically, the narration associated with travel in the West and counter the Gog and Magwg precede the Koran during many centuries and has its roots in an ancient legend about the m. Alexander.

According to Greek and Latin tradition, Alexander built gates in the Caucasus to keep out intruders. As early as the 1st century BC. e.g.. the Roman historian, Pliny the elder mentioned in this tradition, While in the Middle East region, the story gained a more elaborate way of storytelling, as connected with popular apocalyptic biblical legends, as it ascertains and the Jewish historian Josephus Flavius. Therefore, as early as the first century Alexander presented one to construct a giant iron stronghold in the mountains of the Caucasus and in Central Asia in order to keep away hordes of bad Gog and Magwg.

When at the end of the 4th century. a.d. Oynoi appear to carry out raids and destroy Syria and northern Mesopotamia, the memories are triggered by the biblical Gog and Magwg threat, which helped to further develop the tradition around the m. Alexander. The latter occurs in the traditions of the season as a patron, who with the help of God builds a dam to protect humanity this time from the Huns.

Without doubt it is so obvious that the above narrative comes from the novel of Alexander, a collection of legends recorded by an unknown author in us, who is called conventional "Pseudo-Callisthenes». The novel of Alexander seems to have crystallized literary in Alexandria, Egypt at the end of the 3rd century. a.d. The text very soon became very popular with the result to be rewritten and adapted both to the cultural and national data of individual readers. Hence, the novel of Alexander popularized in many versions and languages in East and West with oldest Latin (4century.) and the Armenian version (5century.).

Though, Basically it was the Syriac version of the novel of Alexander, that brought all these different traditions into a single narrative, adding to the text a number of unknown until then for other traditions stories. In this way, the episode of the construction of the wall against Gog and Magwg, not seen in the oldest versions of the novel, but is originality of Syrian version, probably as a coalescing of the pattern of the wall of Alexander with the biblical tradition of revealing Gog and Magwg peoples. The Syriac version of Alexander's Novel is written in 629-630 a.d. In this narrated Alexander is determined by the known ancient epithet "the bearing two horns», one property that construed literally, as the Macedonian hero is described as having the head of horns.

This myth continued to exist for more than a Millennium in Persia, where the famous poet Ferdowsi in his epic masterpiece in Shahnameh titled devotes a section to this story. There is no doubt that the story of Dhu al-Qarnayn is a direct loan of pre-Islamic stories and legends associated with Alexander the great. These myths come from the 1st century a.d. and widely spread throughout the ancient world till the appearance of Islam. And it is especially interesting that the prophetic activity of Muhammad (610-632 a.d.) coincide with the Syriac version of the novel of Alexander (629-630 a.d.), Although many of these stories had already become well known in the Arabian Peninsula before Islam. No one can deny that the m. Alexander is an important figure in Arabic literature. Even in pre-Islamic poetry we encounter references to his face, the prosfwnwntas either as al-Iskandar either as Dhu al-Qarnayn, like for example the poets Maymūn ibn Qays al-A'sha and contemporary of Muhammad, Hassan ibn Thabit, He composed verses relating to the episode with the Gog and Magwg.

Summing Up, We conclude that it is no surprise the identification of Alexander with the Dhu al-Qarnayn from classical exegetes of the Qur'an. The ancient biblical narratives associated with Gog and Magwg merged them into a single myth with ancient non-historical narrative about Alexander and the construction of a wall in the Caucasus iron: THE M. Alexander built a huge wall in the Caucasus to imprison the Gog and Magwg. Follows, o I Oynoi that invaded in the 4th century a.d. their concurred with Gog and Magwg and would remain imprisoned behind a wall of Alexander until the day of judgment.

This story was further developed during the coming centuries through the various versions of the novel of Alexander of Pseudo-Kallistheni up to the 7th century a.d. – display time of Islam -, so in the Koran the story adapts to the data of the new religion with the help of the Syrian version of the novel. In Accordance, well, with the recitation of the Koran Alexander the great as Dhu al-Qarnayn was a God-fearing theist, who traveled to the ends of the Earth and built a huge wall of iron and bronze to imprison bad Nations Gog and Magwg till the day of judgment, When the Gog and Magwg will break the wall and will stream free spreading fear and havoc on Earth. It is very likely that Muhammad or a later editor of Koran seized the pre-Islamic legends and incorporated in the Koran, adapted to the data of the new monotheistic religion.

Alexander's face had started getting mythic proportions since the reign of, and after his death the oral narratives spread in various peoples. This unique personality was destined to leave its mark on the world and exert a huge influence for hundreds of years after his death, touching even the holy books of various religions, as Islam. Would be overkill, If we say, how Alexander starting from Aigai of Macedonia for all around the world, κατάφερε τελικά να αγγίξει εκείνο που τόσο πολύ ονειρευόταν και δεν ήταν άλλο από το ίδιο το θείο.

Ενδεικτική Βιβλιογραφία

Budge, Ernest A. W. (ed.), The History of Alexander the Great: Being the Syriac Version of the Pseudo Callisthenes, Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1889.

Donzel, Emeri Van, & Andrea Schmidt, Gog and Magog in Early Syriac and Islamic Sources: Sallam's Quest for Alexander's Wall, Leiden, Netherlands: E. J. Brill, 2009.

Fildes, Alan & Joann Fletcher, Alexander the Great: Son of the Gods, Los Angeles, CA: Getty Publications, 2002.

Goldsborough, Reid, ‘Alexander the Great Numismatic Portrait’, 2010, at http://tinyurl.com/66g3r7x, όπως ανακτήθηκε στις 05/01/2015.

Panayotakis, Stelios, Maaike Zimmerman & Wytse Keulen, The Ancient Novel and Beyond, Leiden, Netherlands: E. J. Brill, 2003.

* THE Βάλια Παπαναστασοπούλου είναι Αρχαιολόγος-Θεολόγος MS, Υποψήφια διδάκτωρ Α. Π. Θ.

The magic of Amphipolis: The artists who created the 3D video

When virtual reality fills the gaps… actual reality may not cover. With the exception of the special group of Katerina Peristeri, at the moment, Nobody else can admire up close the amazing discoveries of Amphipolis. There Is, though, Yes, technology is not a substitute for the prettiness of the mound, However makes it more tangible in the observer.

The Livescinece spoke with the two Greek authors who created a series of 3D video in which depicted the Interior of the Tomb, According to the discoveries of archaeologists and what gave the publicity through photographs.

As stated in article, the alluring ruins of Amphipolis caused media frenzy in all of the world that made consecutive live links from the site. The same happened in social networks and with the videos that were made to represent, as more details become, How exactly was the Tomb several centuries before. It is no coincidence that if anyone on YouTube typed the name "Amphipolis ' will find numerous videos – other amateur and other worked up to the last detail as their creators have used all the latest achievements of computer science. It is characteristic that none of these videos "virtual world" is not linked to the Ministry of culture. Everything came from the enthusiasm and interest of their creators.

One of them is Nick Alexandrou who lives in Rome, but echeri born in a nearby area with Amphipolis. Speaking at Live Science explained how the first video he did for personal use. Last July the Alexander graduated from the University of L'Aquila in Italy by master. It is now a civil engineer specializing in architectural works. The same period Greece stirred by a cheery new that focused the Amphipolis and there finds. Alexander says that before he made the video for Amphipolis, had created three-dimensional renderings for buildings, but never for archaeological ruins. This, combined with the impressive ruins of Amphipolis gave him the motivation to try. "I thought it would be something great for promoting our Greek heritage. So I decided to fix it and upload it on YouTube. I'm happy with the score and I thought that surely will find plenty that will be interested to see my model ". The first video was posted in mid-October and until now has 200.000 views. Indeed, accepted requests from fans of his work, try to do recovery of broken arms Karyatidon and complement of the section of the amazing missing mosaic. So he entered into this process as far as possible by restoring the monument and give some modern touches to the existing creature.

The second attempted to do a professional job was the artist Dimitris Tsalkanis who resides in Athens. The Tsalkanis created a website (www.ancientathens3d.com), through which it shared with the world his own depictions of ancient Athens. For him the Amphipolis was an interesting challenge and so on 13 December loaded the first video. In accordance with its own Visual models are an artistic rather than archaeological representation. So it worked more freely and added some touches of color on the statues of Sphinxes and Tomb. However, pointed out that his choices were based on studies about the colors used by the Greeks during the period.

When Dimitri Aggeloydi, web developer, This trend shows the interest of the Greeks to see the monument under another light. He worked closely with amfipoli-news.com site, in which there are 3D representations of the mound, and virtual tour. The site "climbed" in October in collaboration with Panagiotis Panagiotou, student, University of Thessaloniki.

The Tsalkanis acknowledges that the controversies surrounding the Amphipolis weighed in as he was making the video. "It shocked me the situation, However the effect that had the monument in society was interesting. I think the video shows how it was made, But how discovered the monument». The Alexander prefers another aspect: "If we do not use these discoveries now, When I do; Κάθε αρχαιολογική ανακάλυψη είναι ένα βοήθημα προς εμάς από τους Αρχαίους Έλληνες».

Source: The magic of Amphipolis: The artists who created the 3D video [images&videos] | iefimerida.gr http://www.iefimerida.gr/news/187114/i-mageia-tis-amfipolis-oi-kallitehnes-poy-dimioyrgisan-ta-3d-vinteo-eikonesvinteo#ixzz3P1UCp8b7

Κομμαγηνή: Το Μυστήριο Μαυσωλείο του Αντίοχου !

Antiochos, a just, eminent god, friend of Romans and friend of Greeks, c. 86 BC – 38 BC, ruled 70 BC – 38 BC) was a king from the Greek Kingdom of Commagene and the most famous king of that kingdom.
The ruins of the tomb-sanctuary of Antiochus are magnificent to behold even today. The site of his interment atop Mount Nemrut, a.k.a. Nemrut dagi, was named to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1987. Several sandstone bas reliefs discovered at the site contain the oldest known images of two figures shaking hands.

«Στην κορυφή του Νεμρούτ Ντάγκ, up to Antitayro, in n. a.. Turkey, is a strange monument, at a height of 2.500 measures.
For the first time discovered a germanotoyrkiki joint archaeological expedition, the 1882. It is strange, However that since, as today, It was possible to investigate the inside of. Is the mausoleum of Adiochou 1st , the King of Commagene, a tiny Kingdom, that wasn't long life, and I just stood, the last echoes of the great adventure of Alexander in Asia.
"This is a stunning monument, very reminiscent and Persian works, but Egyptian together. The resemblance, on the other hand, with the Egyptian monuments by early researchers, they still had not noticed how everything, What monumental was constructed in East, mimicked much of Egypt's projects.
In Persepolis, the monuments of Artaxerxi and Darius, carved on the rock, totally reminiscent of the temples of the Valley of the Nile.
In Nemroyt Ntagk, the colossal statues were erected over the tomb of the Adiochou of the first, closely resemble the colossi of the temples of Thebes ".

The name Kingdom of Commagene

Researching various sources about the name of this Kingdom, we discovered that the name originates from the words party-genus which means part or part of a larger generation (genus). In a Turkish text says that it is from the words Kommoyn and Genes, who says as Greek words. The small land came after the decay of the Seleucid Empire (known as the Greco-Syrian Kingdom) the 162 e.g..
Other historians say that there is the name of the Assyrian texts Kummuhu, that is associated with the Kingdom of Commagene,.
First King of Commagene was the former satrap (Commander) When it ceased to be under the Seleucid Empire.
With the dissolution of the Greek-Syrian Empire proclaimed the Kingdom of Commagene independent with capital Samosata (who had previously built the Sami on the banks of the Euphrates-Turkey's current town of Samsat). In his Kingdom incorporated Greek and Persian peoples of the region.

The establishment of the Kingdom

The Ptolemaios according to an inscription found in the tomb of Mount Nemroyt was a descendant of King Darius I of Persia. His son succeeded the Sami b ' dubbed ' Theosebis ' Dikaios. From the later reign of Mithridates Callinicus of A΄toy (100 until 69 e.g.) the Kingdom of Commagene had miscarried the Persian past of, After being dominated in all levels of the Greek civilization. Established as an official language of the Greek State.
Mithridates married the Princess of ellinosyriakoy Kingdom Laodice Vii the Goddess and their son Antiochus 1st the ' God of Commagene ' took over the Kingdom the 70 e.g., until his death, the 38 e.g. Photo: The stone heads they have height 3 measures!

Huge sizes
Archaeologists have been impressed by the mausoleum of, which has a circumference of 30 measures and punctuating inscriptions.
The choice of venue for the project, made by the same King, in order to do meditation and Memorial place of pilgrimage for the people of. At the foot of mount this his father Mithridates founded the town Arsemeia.
According to the inscriptions Antiochus himself was proud of his ancestry after he stated that he was a descendant of Alexander the great and Darius!
In the eastern embankment of the monument there is an altar, While at the top of the project were erected 25 colossal statues in which only heads were worked with meticulous detail. In them we distinguish him Antiochus and around him the Sun God, Apollo of Greek, the Midas of Persians, the Fortuna, the goddess of fertility, the Malda Achoyra, the father of the gods, personification of Zeus, Hercules etc..
Today the stone heads are strewn around the mound. It is huge, over three meters each, and impress guests.
The vanity of Antiochus with the erection of the monument is open, After he proclaimed himself a representative of the gods on Earth! Theopoiise, Indeed, himself before he died and identified every worshipful detail around his grave.
"I believed always that piety is the most important asset and this gives the sweetest joy to mortals ' writes in an inscription on the monument of.
It is believed that an earthquake dropped the huge statues of the monument that reached the 15 meters high.
The archaiokapiloi, of course, over the centuries ,searching frantically for a coveted treasure, erected all devotional utensils were made of precious metal.
But they failed to catch up in the Interior of the monument, in order to loot the inside of. The stone is asikwtoi and volumes in these remote parts, for now at least, It is impossible to use modern mechanical means. Some effort was formerly bore no result because it rolled dangerously above rocks.
In an inscription seem to be written by Antiochus:
"Conceived the plan to raise close to celestial Thrones and foundations inaccessible and immune from the time this ' orothesion ' monument dedicated to the gods where my body, After old would sleep the eternal sleep, apochwrismeno from my soul reverent, you will fly to the celestial realms of Zeus-Achoyra Magda».
While in another you made:
I Antiochus, I set up this monument to glorify myself and my gods».
Typical is another inscription located as one ascends towards the entrance of the mound:
"This is the road to the sanctuary. Those who have bad intentions should leave immediately ".

Until today I have walked through the Tomb archaeologists. You might expect the first to dare archaiokapiloi!
So though, We will be able to learn the mystery of the tomb of an ancient King.
George Echedwros

Year: 2015