Commenting on the archaeological dig in northern Greece on Tuesday morning to MEGA channel, associate professor of history and archeology at the University of Cyprus, Theodoros Mavrogiannis, said that he is convinced that the tomb of Amphipolis belongs to the general and close friend of Alexander the Great, Hephaestion. He said he basis his theory on the date that was given by Katerina Peristeri (who is heading the excavations) and noted that the Caryatids have a political message and refer to the Athenian governmental syste, since "Hephaestion was an Athenian".
He stressed that he basis his theory on ancient written sources, and pointed to historic Diodorus Siculus (80-20 BC).
“I believe that the monument was constructed between 322 and 318 BC, but we have to wait until ceramics found there confirm this date,“ said Mavrogiannis.He said he is convinced of this, but that nothing is certain because there are no relative inscriptions.
He said that he disagreed with the opinion that Caryatids do not convey a political message, because in his opinion they do. They say that “Athenians have finally returned to Amphipolis”.
Hephaestion (356 BC–324 BC), was a Macedonian nobleman and a general in the army of Alexander the Great. He was, by far, the dearest of Alexander and shared all his secrets." This friendship lasted throughout their lives, and was compared, by others as well as themselves, to that of Achilles and Patroclus. His military career was distinguished. Besides being a soldier, engineer and diplomat he corresponded with the philosophers Aristotle and Xenocrates and actively supported Alexander in his attempts to integrate the Greeks and Persians. Alexander formally made him his second-in-command when he appointed him Chiliarch of the empire. Alexander also made him part of the royal family when he gave him as his bride Drypetis, sister to his own second wife Stateira, both daughters of Darius III of Persia. When he died suddenly at Ecbatana around age thirty-two, Alexander was overwhelmed with grief. He petitioned the oracle at Siwa to grant Hephaestion divine status and thus Hephaestion was honoured as a Divine Hero. Wikipedia
Back at the tomb, other questions that surfaced over the past few days revolve around a marble door which presents many similarities with Philip’s tomb at Vergina.
The findings were announced by lead archaeologist Katerini Peristeri. After the removal of the accumulated earth, three broken pieces of a [Thasos] Marble door were found. The Marble pieces were found in the doorway of the third wall, which leads into the third chamber. The broken Marble pieces were part of a door that pivoted, as pivots points were found [above and below] in the door casing. Also found were some copper and iron nails.
Some observers conclude that if the door broke due to a powerful earthquake, or to other catastrophes, then why is the frame is still intact and in perfect condition?
So far, no one is able to understand this but it is making some observers believe that the tomb could have been looted.
If someone chipped away at the door in an attempt to rob the tomb then why open a small hole (which is located near the ceiling) to reach the next chamber? It is indeed puzzling.
The only conclusion so far -and the most logical one- is that the tomb was looted early on and the door broke during that incident. Then the tomb was filled with soil and sealed, but did not conceal the small hole near the ceiling.
In any case, the discovery of the marble door is indeed grand. On their part archaeologists believe this vast Tumulus is a funerary monument.
Finally, a group of graphic artists created a 3D video which transports viewers to the tomb allowing anyone with a curious eye to get a virtual view of what the Kastra hill looks like from within, from the outside of the monument up to the wall of the third chamber.
Click here to take your own 3D tour
http://amfipoli-news.com/3dmap.php#keyboard-controls
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