Hephaestion tomb II

[system1988]

The inscription " παρέλαβον'' Ι HAVE RECEIVED ". HEPHAESTION. ( I have received the monument) There are three inscriptions.

Also the rosettes have the monogram of Hephaestion

[Alexias]

This is a Google translation of this page http://www.tovima.gr/culture/article/?aid=742162

New elements imply that the tomb cast Amphipolis was constructed, at least initially, in honor of Hephaestion, the chiliarch corporate cavalry (and Admiral), at the behest of Alexander gave a speech at AUTH the head of the excavation Lady research Katerina Peristeri. Epigraphic signals assigned within the excavation team, monogram Macedonian general partner and found in three places (in the funerary monument and in the courtyard).

They are signs, according to the researchers, in conjunction with findings cult character that the funerary monument, the precinct and the lion up a whole, which bears the signature of Deinokratous architect and devoted to Hephaestion, after the afiroismo.

The head of the excavation lady Peristeri and the responsible architect Mr. Michael Lefantzis indicated that they found three "signs", one of which read: "I received Ifaistionos heroon" written construction "contract" that is receiving the monument -a rich ergolavia- by Antigonus the One-Eyed.

The monogram "ANT" was considered by the excavators terms Antigonus the One-Eyed, although this type typically monograms to the uprights of the precinct existed since the time of Antigonus Gonatas up Monophthalmus. But in the era of Antigonus Gonatas, who was later (died 239 BC), it was not possible, according to the excavators to construct such a huge task because there was no money. Thus, according to Mr. Lefantzis, the chronological gap narrowed to five to six years after the death of. Alexander (323-319 BC) so begins the economic downturn and the successors spread the state of the Greek commander in Triparadisus (321 BC).

Ms. Peristeri stated ample data on the burial complex of the tumulus cast and emphasized the characterization of the tomb with four chambers, the box-like housing where there was dead or dead as "unique Macedonian tomb." He insisted on excavations which show, according to the scientific team that was "hero worship, dead or dead." However, it is noteworthy that emphasized several times on elements, symbolism or findings, which, he said, is like "radiate" the message of "dualism". This "dualism" found in the Sphinxes, the "caryatids" (Daughters) to display the mosaic of the abduction of Persephone where two horses - compared corresponding mosaic, the so-called "Rape of Helen" in Pella, belonging to the same season , horses were four. However its reference to a detail is expected to give food in scripts that want to link more closely the funerary monument to Alexander: One eye of a horse to the chariot of Pluto was blue glass bead and the other eye black .. .

Chronology

Although the study findings and the investigation continues, the lady Peristeri speech gave detailed information on the dating of the burial complex in the last quarter of the 4th century. He cited the evidence that, over time, allow the excavation team to make clear that all in Kasta Tomb of Amphipolis -perivolos tomb, leontas- is earlier than Roman times.

Key is the excavation investigation, movable finds, identifications architectural members found near the tomb and the surrounding area but also the style of sculpture, mosaic and written frieze (entablature) that existed in the grave. It is particularly important that the content of the display and interpretation of the manner of performance of color and use of the material. In the area where the mosaic frieze and found many painted marble members without interference coating, mortar.

The entablature is the overpainting directly on the marble, as in Ionic architraves, on the side walls, which, according to estimates, showing very early construction. Color placement directly on the marble is a technique earlier than the late Hellenistic period, perhaps earliest and Hellenistic times. In another part of the burial monument found subsequent repair, in which a coating installation, a particular thickness and overpainting on the stucco. Both the date and the indications for different building phases are reflected in art, in the configuration, but also on the construction of the tomb.

The reconstruction of the frieze

It is noteworthy that there was a recomposition of pieces of the frieze which was the third area, where the floor was votsaloeides mosaic of the abduction of Persephone -the 4th century based on the style and comparative examples anefere-, and ceiling decoration in four colors (blue, black, yellow, white). The performance was made by Mr. Lefantzis that describes the content of the piece in the northern wall, noting that contains the dead who are on horseback with a lion's head and a helmet warrior, the hero either in battle or in a chariot with his weapons (quiver and armor ).

In another piece attributed two urns, a Sphinx which stands a column next two centaurs in the middle of a bull, an indication enagnismou. This mythological scene that may be associated with Dionysus. In another part of the frieze is the Delphic tripod, a boat on one side of which leads a winged figure and corresponding figure is on the other side. The mantle is low over the boat while in front a cloth over the bull - "certification" hero at this point and next to it a horseman.

In part of the frieze on the east wall but there human form reclining without the excavators can clarify or attribute if funeral supper or concentration gods. Next to it, two winged figures, Sleep and Death, while still dominates red cloak, holding the same Delphic tripod. Also depicted a helmet.

The other pieces of the frieze have 'read' first needs cleaning and maintenance. As Mrs Peristeri, expect the central office to send people and guide and the conservator of the Museum of Amphipolis, but "we are still waiting," he noted.

Moving parts and backfilling

Elements' authenticate 'hero worship,' dead or dead ", as Mrs Peristeri, the tomb are among other combustion residues, burnt vessel arytiras unstained (found from the 4th century BC. As the 2nd BC. and is used enagnismo, offers). Pottery found in the embankment in all areas, and coins dating from the last quarter of the 4th c. as Roman times.

The backfilling of the sites was made by the last Macedonians in order to protect the monument and the great sculptures of all sorts of tribes who invaded the area, Thracians, Romans, etc., after the 2nd BC c.

The lion

According to the architect in charge of the excavation, the lion of Amphipolis was on top of the tomb and a monument which typologically resembles respectively monuments lion in Ecbatana, the place of death of Hephaistion, and Alexandria, where the partner ordering inscription found Cleomenes for its construction at the behest of M. Alexander, who had asked to state the name of Hephaistion.

Mr. Lefantzis culminating in his presentation noted that Antigonus Monophthalmus and Deinokratous had "common springboard to continue the vision of Alexander, one political and the other architectural." He observed that the Deinokratous after the death of Hephaistion took costly projects and ordered the Greek commander memorials erected in the same architectural style in Alexandria (in two places, the Lighthouse and Kanopiki road) and elsewhere.

Mr. Lefantzis ended with the question whether the burial took place in one of these two war memorials in Alexandria or elsewhere ...?

[Zebedee]

How intriguing. Thanks for links, just catching up. First thing which jumps out, beyond the monograms of course, is the horseman and I'm wondering whether there's any link to the Heros Equitans.

[gepd]

[hiphys]

The monograph is really amazing! I always thought it was an heroon for Hephaistion!

[Jeanne Reames]

I'd like to see a great deal more evidence, but as somebody who's spent a LOT of time with Hephaistion and all textual evidence, color me skeptical. I see all sorts of questions. Neck-deep in university stuff, but just popping in to issue caution. IF it was originally meant for Hephaistion (big if), the fact it was apparently not completed for him but turned to other purposes (with 5 other skeletons on there) is notable. Again, we have LOTS of statues of ATG. We have a bare handful of Hephaistion, and even some of those are contested in identification. After ATG's death, interest in promoting Hephaistion's cult diminished notably. So it may be a case of a reused structure. There's lots of that in the 19th Dynasty in Egypt, with sarcophagi scavenged, repainted, and used again for a new occupant. And it's not just Egypt. The huge cost of such elaborate structures meant a lot of "recycling." ;>

But I'm quite dubious about the attribution in the first place. We'll see.

[Jeanne Reames]

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2015/10 ... reats-pal/

Pretty much confirming what I thought. ;>

[agesilaos]

Unfortunately Faklaris has done little more than say, 'Non!', maybe 'Oichi!' would be more apropos I like rather more argument with my contradiction, and there was plenty that could have been said; consider the time-scale, the monument is allegedly a heroon yet the Oracle at Siwah only replied weeks before Alexander's death, it is highly likely that the news of that cataclysm would have overtaken any order to build a heroon, And what is the tag line about the Lion, is there a massive foundation with masonry matching the Lion on the hill or not? Presumably Faklaris thinks the blocks from the Strymon have nothing to do with the monument as 'they were found miles away'!

Instead of the puerile squabbling I would like to hear an explanation for the 'Arelabon' and, indeed, confirmation that the word is there, the photos are not at all clear.