Posted on 10/03/2014 3:06:14 PM PDT by smokingfrog
Speculation about who the mysterious ancient tomb recently unearthed in Greece belongs to continues, with one academic now suggesting Alexander the Great’s mother was buried there.
A number of scholars believe that the presence of female figures, known as caryatids, show that the tomb in the Amphipolis region of Serres belongs to a female.
However, one expert has gone as far as to state that he believes that archaeologists could eventually discover the remains of Alexander the Great's parent, Olympias, inside.
Writer Andrew Chugg, who has published a book on the search for the legendary leader's tomb, as well as several academic papers, put forward his controversial argument in The Greek Reporter.
He argues that sphinxes guarding the tomb are decorated in a similar way to those found in the tombs of two queens of Macedon, including the king’s grandmother.
In Greek mythology, Hera, the wife of Zeus, is depicted as the mistress of the sphinx. As the Macedonian kings of at the time of Alexander identified themselves with Zeus, Mr Chugg thinks their queens may have been associated with the mythical creature.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Archaeologists excavating an ancient mound in northern Greece uncovered the entrance to an important tomb some months ago. It is believed to have been built at the end of the reign of warrior-king Alexander the Great and Prime Minister Antonis Samaras described the discovery as ‘extremely important’
GGG ping...
No.
It ain't in Greece.
And it has gold in it.
Study what Phillip taught young Alex.
But who’s buried in it?
Grant, of course.
If Herwaldo was involved, it’s a big fat nothin’.
Gold eh? That might be worth something...
Alexander’s grave was an ancient world tourist trap in Alexandira, Egypt. All Glass, with a glass casket and old Alexander wraped with gold bandage and a gold faceplate.
A tourist trap? It must have been the ancient Greek version of Route 66’s tourist traps.
There has been some discussion of this on the Classics list hosted by the University of Kentucky. There is a link to http://greece.greekreporter.com/2014/10/02/harvard-study-amphipolis-tomb-belongs-to-Laomedon
Thanks freedumb2003. If I had to guess, it would be that this *may* have been built *for* Alexander's body, then repurposed for one of the rulers of the successor states. Unless they find an inscription "Here lies...") it's not likely to be conclusively determined. This update is the weekly GGG Digest ping as well.
Nice, thanks VR:
http://greece.greekreporter.com/2014/10/02/harvard-study-amphipolis-tomb-belongs-to-Laomedon
Thanks for the ping. I enjoy reading this stuff.
If there were plans for a grave for Alexander in Macedonia, a more likely site would be Aegae, now Verghina, where the tomb some scholars think is the tomb of Philip II was found in the 1970s. But since Alexander was so young when he died perhaps nothing had been done about a burial site yet.
>>Grant, of course.<<
Dangit! You got there first!
I agree that without some definative inscription we’ll probably never know for sure.
However, I don’t lean to the ‘built for Alexander but never used’ school of thought.
I’m leaning toward Olympia, his mother as the intended owner
because:
1. The Greeks weren’t hung up on the afterlife like the Egyptians and weren’t nearly as hung up on producing a tomb before death that would take years in the making like a pyramid. I doubt Alexander gave much thought to a return to Macedonia for a burial since he probably thought he’d live forever. I’m not sure if he gave instructions for a burial in Egypt but of course that is where he wound up.
2. Alexander was really a ‘momma’s boy’ and would have honored her with a nice burial tomb in the neighborhood of other Macedonian royals. But of course he died before her so that idea is somewhat tenuous, given my reason #1 above.
3.There were any number of kings and regents in Macedonia after the death of Alexander who could have built the tomb.
His wife Roxanne and son Alexander IV are reputed to have taken refuge with Olympias after his death. Olympias got involved with the struggle for power in Macedon/Greece and her machinations may have got them all killed in the end.
Tourist trap, eh? :-)
The “THING???” Conqueror of the Ancient World!
The “THING???” Son of Zeus Thunderer!
The “THING???” Luxurious accommodations for both Man and Beast!
Take the Concourse to Alexandria NOW!!!
Not if they’re not in Sekandergul.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
