The Vergina Tombs The Royal Burial Tomb of
The Vergina Tombs: The Royal Burial Tomb of Philip II of Macedon? Kristin Hohmeier Faculty Mentors: Dr. Lynn Rose & Dr. Steven Reschly April 20, 2006
The Vergina Tombs • Royal Tombs discovered by Manolis Andronicos in 1977 • Vergina is the ancient Macedonian capital, Aegae, in present-day northern Greece http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Image: Vergina_Tombs_Entrance. jpg
• Adronicos discovered 3 royal Macedonian burial tombs at Vergina: – Tomb I, “Tomb of Persephone, ” was a pillaged cist tomb – Tomb II, “Philip’s Tomb, ” is the supposed burial of Philip II of Macedon, Alexander the Great’s father, and his wife – Tomb III, the “Prince’s Tomb, ” is the supposed burial of Alexander IV, Alexander the Great’s son
Tomb I, “Tomb of Persephone” • Oldest of the 3 tombs • Contained remains of a man, woman, and a young child • Most noted for its illustration of the “Rape of Persephone” http: //web. uvic. ca/grs/bowman/myth/images/haifa/h 15. jpg
Tomb II, “Philip’s Tomb” • Most disputed • Most elaborate • Largest Macedonian tomb discovered • Hunting frieze on the façade front • Vaulted ceilings • Divided into a main chamber & a smaller antechamber http: //www. macedonia. se/images/macedonia/history/philip-ii-tomb. jpg
Philip’s Tomb - Antechamber • Sarcophagus and larnax contained female remains • No jewelry • Excess of weapons, including different sized greaves • Philip II’s greaves? http: //www. rocky. edu/~moakm/verlarnax. JPG http: //www. macedonian-heritage. gr/Hellenic. Macedonia/media/original/b 12731 b. jpg
Philip’s Tomb - Main Chamber • Hastily constructed • Solid gold larnax with male’s remains • Heaviest diadem of ancient times – Consists of 313 leaves, 68 acorns, & an adjustable strap • Other artifacts include furniture, vessels, armor, ivory heads http: //www. macedonian-heritage. gr/Hellenic. Macedonia/en/index. html
Tomb III, the “Prince’s Tomb” • Similar to Philip’s Tomb, but smaller & simpler • Main chamber held remains of a young boy in a silver hydria • Artifacts included more silver vases, vessels, and weaponry http: //www. macedonian-heritage. gr/Hellenic. Macedonia/en/index. html
Historical Facts • 359 BC - Philip II takes the throne • 336 BC - Philip II murdered, Alexander III (the Great) takes the throne • 323 BC - Alexander the Great dies in Babylon, Philip III & Alexander IV (Alexander the Great’s son) co-rule • 317 BC - Philip III murdered by Olympias • 310 BC - Alexander IV murdered & Cassander takes throne
Is “Philip’s Tomb” really Philip II of Macedon’s Burial Tomb? Yes. • Andronicos – The vaulted ceilings – The two-part construction – The multitude of military gear & weaponry – The analysis of the bones by physical anthropologists Musgrave, Neave, and Prag
Is “Philip’s Tomb” really Philip II of Macedon’s Burial Tomb? No. • Phyllis Williams Lehmann – The vaulted ceilings & style of diadems were not introduced until after Alexander the Great’s conquests • Eugene N. Borza – Artifacts date back to after Philip II’s death – Unusually large antechamber indicates planned death of Philip III’s wife, not Cleopatra
Alternative Hypotheses • Borza concludes that, – Tomb I contains Philip II, Cleopatra, and their child – Tomb II contains Philip III and his wife, Eurydice – Tomb III contains Alexander IV • T. D. Papzois claims Tomb II is actually Alexander the Great’s burial tomb
Conclusion • The speculations reveal that the Vergina Tombs are still open to interpretation. • Despite the controversy, much can be learned about Macedonian culture from them. • The Vergina Tombs contribute to the expansive history of Macedonia and Greece while reflecting the ever-changing history and historiography of our world.
The Vergina Tombs: The Royal Burial Tomb of Philip II of Macedon? Acknowledgements: • Dr. Lynn Rose & Dr. Steven Reschly
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