The map below shows the Kingdom of Macedon inherited by Alexander the Great in 336 BCE, from his father, Phillip II Alexander went on to lead the Greek states (except for Sparta) under the aegis of the League of Corinth, on a so-called pan-Hellenic expedition to liberate the Ionian Greek states along the western coast of Persia, and then to conquer Persia.
* Copy and paste the map above into Paint.
* In Paint, use Shapes to draw a circle around Amphipolis, and a line that leads to one side of the map.
* Then use Text in Tools to write a caption for these details that simply says 'Location of the Kasta Hill tomb'.
* Copy and paste this image onto a new document in your Ancient History folder. Give it an appropriate title.
* In Paint, use Shapes to draw a circle around Amphipolis, and a line that leads to one side of the map.
* Then use Text in Tools to write a caption for these details that simply says 'Location of the Kasta Hill tomb'.
* Copy and paste this image onto a new document in your Ancient History folder. Give it an appropriate title.
Alexander's kingdom would eventually take in all of Persia reaching as far east as India, as well as taking in Egypt, and Arrian tells us that at the time of his death he had his sights set on taking the Arabian Peninsula as well (Arrian, Book 7, XIX). The map below shows the eventual extent of the territory conquered by the armies of Macedonia and Greece under his command. Click the map to see an enlarged image.
The location of the tomb can be seen to be significant for a few reasons. Firstly, a royal tomb, that of Philip II had been found in 1977 by the archaeologist Manolis Andronikos, at Vergina. There has been strong suggestion already, based on the size of the hill and some of the finds in the tomb that it must be either a royal tomb or built for someone of great importance during the era of Alexander the Great. The tomb is surrounded by a circular wall with a circumference of 500 metres, much larger than Philip's tomb at Vergina. Already this raises the question of likely contenders as the tomb's intended occupant, but why a royal tomb should be located at Amphipolis rather than Vergina (which is built on top of Macedonia's ancient capital, Aigae) is unknown. Such knowledge could reveal Amphipolis itself to be more significant than first thought. Secondly, it could be significant that the tomb is built at Amphipolis as a gateway to the east from Macedonia. That is, as the exit point from Macedonia of the League of Corinth forces as they marched towards the Hellespont.
Given the achievements of Alexander the Great, it is easy to accept that the scale of the tomb points to its prestige, and therefore to the prestige of its occupant. Let's now look at the findings at the site.
Given the achievements of Alexander the Great, it is easy to accept that the scale of the tomb points to its prestige, and therefore to the prestige of its occupant. Let's now look at the findings at the site.