Editing Amphipolis (section)

==Archaeology==

{{Further|Lion of Amphipolis}}

The site was discovered and described by many travellers and archaeologists during the 19th century, including E. Cousinéry (1831) (engraver), [[Leon Heuzey]] (1861), and P. Perdrizet (1894–1899). However, excavations did not truly begin until after the Second World War. The [[Archaeological Society of Athens|Greek Archaeological Society]] under D. Lazaridis excavated in 1972 and 1985, uncovering a necropolis, the city wall (see photograph), the basilicas, and the acropolis. Further excavations have since uncovered the river bridge, the gymnasium, Greek and Roman villas and numerous tombs etc.

Parts of the lion monument and tombs were discovered during World War I by Bulgarian and British troops whilst digging trenches in the area. In 1934, M. Feyel, of the [[École française d'Athènes]] (EfA), led an [[epigraphy|epigraphical mission]] to the site and uncovered further remains of the lion monument (a reconstruction was given in the ''Bulletin de Correspondance Hellénique'', a publication of the EfA which is available on line).<ref>[https://archive.today/20120604182322/http://cefael.efa.gr/detail.php?site_id=1&actionID=page&prevpos=0&serie_id=BCH&volume_number=59&issue_number=0&startpos=289 Bulletin de Correspondance Hellénique] {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

The silver ossuary containing the cremated remains of [[Brasidas]]<ref>A. Agelarakis, “Physical anthropological report on the cremated human remains of an individual retrieved from the Amphipolis agora” in “Excvating Classical Amphipolis” by Ch. Koukouli-Chrysantkai, <Excavating Classical Culture> (eds.) Stamatopoulou M., and M., Yeroulanou, BAR International Series 1031, 2002: 72–73</ref> and a gold crown (see image) was found in a tomb in pride of place under the Agora.

===The Tomb of Amphipolis===

{{Main|Kasta Tomb}}
[[File:The Abduction of Persephone by Pluto, Amphipolis.jpg|thumb|An [[Ancient Greek art|ancient Greek]] [[mosaic]] depicting the  allegory of the abduction of [[Persephone]] by [[Pluto (mythology)|Pluto]], 4th century BC]]

In 2012<ref name="telegraph 1">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/greece/11080463/Marble-female-figurines-unearthed-in-vast-Alexander-the-Great-era-Greek-tomb.html |title=Marble female figurines unearthed in vast Alexander the Great–era Greek tomb |author=Andrew Marszal |date=7 September 2014 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |access-date=10 September 2014}}</ref> Greek archaeologists unearthed a large tomb within the [[Kasta Tomb|Kasta Hill]], the biggest burial mound in Greece, northeast of Amphipolis. The large size and quality of the tumulus indicates the prominence of the burials made there, and its dating and the connections of the city with Alexander the Great suggest important occupants. The perimeter wall of the tumulus is {{cvt|497|m|yd}} long, and is made of limestone covered with marble.

The tomb comprises three chambers separated by walls. There are two [[sphinxes]] just outside the entrance to the tomb. Two of the columns supporting the roof in the first section are in the form of [[Caryatid]]s, in the 4th century BC style. The excavation revealed a pebble mosaic directly behind the Caryatids and in front of the Macedonian marble door leading to the "third" chamber. The mosaic shows the allegory of the abduction of [[Persephone]] by [[Hades]], but the persons depicted are Philip and Olympias of Macedon. Hades' chariot is drawn by two white horses and led to the underworld by [[Hermes]]. The mosaic verifies the Macedonian character of the tomb. As the head of one of the sphinxes was found inside the tomb behind the broken door, it is clear that there were intruders, probably in antiquity.

Fragments of bones from 5 individuals were found in the cist tomb, the most complete of which is a 60+ year old woman in the deepest layer.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28758920|title=Greek tomb at Amphipolis is 'important discovery'|date=12 August 2014|work=BBC News|access-date=12 August 2014}}</ref> Dr. [[Katerina Peristeri]], the archaeologist heading the excavation of the tomb, dates the tomb to the late 4th century BC, the period after the death of [[Alexander the Great]] (323&nbsp;BC). One theory is that the tomb was built for the mother of Alexander the Great, Olympias.<ref>The Identity of the Occupant of the Amphipolis Tomb Beneath the Kasta Mound, Andrew Chugg, 2021, Macedonian Studies Journal, Volume II, Issue 1, https://www.academia.edu/80446098/The_Identity_of_the_Occupant_of_the_Amphipolis_Tomb_Beneath_the_Kasta_Mound</ref>

Restoration of the tomb is due for completion in 2023<ref>Pilot visits to the Kastas Mound in 2022 https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2022/03/21/pilot-visits-to-the-kastas-mound-in-2022/</ref> in the course of which building materials of the grave site which were later used by the Romans elsewhere will be rebuilt in their original location.
[[File:Amphipolis fortifications.jpg|thumb|City walls and bridge of Amphipolis]]

===The city walls===

[[File:Amphipolis city walls 1.jpg|thumb|city walls]]

The original 7.5&nbsp;km long walls are generally visible, particularly the northern section which is preserved to a height of 7.5m. 5 preserved gates can be seen and notably the gate in front of the wooden bridge.

In early Christian times another, inner, wall was built around the [[acropolis]].

===The ancient wooden bridge of Amphipolis===

[[File:Amphipolis, Pfeiler der Holzbrücke.jpg|thumb|200px|Piles of the wooden bridge]]

The ancient bridge that crossed the river Strymon was mentioned by Thucydides,<ref>History of the Peloponnesian War 4.103.5</ref> was strategic as it controlled access between Macedonia and the [[Chalkidike]] in the west to Thrace in the east, and was important for the economy and trade. It was therefore incorporated into the city walls.
 
It was discovered in 1977 and is a unique find for Greek antiquity.<ref>Y Maniatis, D Malamidou, H Koukouli-Chryssanthaki, Y Facorellis, RADIOCARBON DATING OF THE AMPHIPOLIS BRIDGE IN NORTHERN GREECE, MAINTAINED AND FUNCTIONED FOR 2500 YEARS, RADIOCARBON, Vol 52, Nr 1, 2010, p 41–63, 2010 University of Arizona</ref> The hundreds of wooden piles have been carbon-dated and show the vast life of the bridge with some piles dating from 760 BC, and others used till about 1800 AD.

===The Gymnasium===
[[File:Xystos.jpg|thumb|250px|Xystos]]

This was a major public building for the military and gymnastic training of youth as well as for their artistic and intellectual education. It was built in the 4th c. BC and includes a [[palaestra]], the rectangular court surrounded by colonnades with adjoining rooms for many athletic functions. The covered [[stoa]] or [[xystos]] for indoor training in inclement weather is a long portico 75m long and 7m wide to allow 6 runners to compete simultaneously. There was also a parallel outdoor track, ''paradromida'', for training in good weather and a system of cisterns for water supply.

During the Macedonian era it became a major institution.

The stone [[stela]] bearing the rules of the gymnasium was found in the north wing, detailing the duties and powers of the master and the education of the athletes.

After it was destroyed in the 1st c. BC in the Thracian rebellion against Roman rule, it was rebuilt in [[Augustus]]'s time in the 1st c. AD along with the rest of the city.

{{Commons category|Amphipolis}}