The Royal Tombs and Palaces of Aegae reveal a Macedonian splendour

In the first major archaeological exhibition in the new temporary exhibition galleries, the Ashmolean Museum (UK), will showcase over five hundred treasures of gold, silver and bronze, recently found in the royal burial tombs and the palace of Aegae, the ancient capital of Macedon.
These new discoveries go on display for the first time outside Greece and re-write the history of early Greece, telling the story of the royal court and the kings and queens who governed Macedon, from the descendant’s of Heracles to the ruling dynasty of Alexander the Great.
“From the astounding finds made by the late Professor Manolis Andronikos in the 1970s to the recent discoveries of the past twenty years, this ground-breaking work tells the story of life in the ancient kingdom of Macedon, northern Greece. The artistry, skill and foresight with which these objects were made represent a sophisticated dynasty about whom there is still much more to learn,” says Dr Angeliki Kottaridi, Director of the 17th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities.
The artistry, skill and foresight with which these objects were made represent a sophisticated dynasty about whom there is still much more to learn

Golden casket and wreath of Philip II. Photo: Robert Wallace, Flickr
The royal city of Aegae – modern-day Vergina – was the first capital of Macedon and the seat of power of the Temenid kings, named after Temenus, a descendent of Heracles. They ruled from the mid-7th to the 4th century BC, and gave to Greece two of its most famous heroes, King Philip II (382-336 BCE) and his son Alexander the Great (356-323 BCE). Aegae remained relatively unknown until 30 years ago when excavations uncovered the intact tombs of Philip II and his grandson Alexander IV. Recent work at the site has continued to unearth a startling wealth of objects – from beautifully intricate gold jewellery, silverware and pottery, to sculpture, mosaic floors and architectural remains.
In the first of three major themes that will bring this ancient society to life is the world of the king and his companions at war and hunting; the king as ruler and high-priest, and the royal funeral. In this section, arms and armour, golden wreaths, life-sized marble sculpture, and painted battle-scenes illustrate the lives of Macedon’s most famous kings, among them Philip II and Alexander IV, father and son of Alexander the Great respectively.

Palace of Philip II of Macedon. Photo: Marmontel, Flickr
The most recent excavations have concentrated on the tombs of the royal women, and the exhibition’s next section shows their important role at the court. Jewellery, fashion, and objects used for grooming, as well as sacred objects, such as clay heads of divine and demonic figures, underline the leading role of these powerful women as queens, princesses and high-priestesses, offering a vivid portrayal of the female world in the palace from around 1000 to 300 BC. A centrepiece of the show will be the assemblage of five women: four dating to the Early Iron Age (1000-700 BC) and one, the ‘Lady of Aegae’, to around 500 BC. The ‘Lady of Aegae’, a queen and high-priestess, was found in an undisturbed tomb, bedecked with funerary goods and dressed, head-to-toe, in spectacular gold jewellery which had been sewn into her clothes.
Life in the palace – its architecture and the symposion (banquet) – is the exhibition’s concluding theme. Silverware, ceramics, and architectural fragments from the palace itself give a tantalising glimpse of life in the royal capital of this ancient kingdom. The gallery will highlight the development of the ‘symposion’ – a key expression of the contemporary social and political world, and the rich architecture of the palace built in the reign of Philip II.
The exhibition runs from 7 April-29 August 2011.
Tickets: £8 / £6 concessions, online booking will be available from March 2011.
The exhibition has been organised by the Ashmolean Museum and the Museum of the Royal Tombs at Aegae in collaboration with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture And Tourism.
Past Horizons