Kastas Monument

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system1988
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Kastas Monument

Post by system1988 »

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Alexias
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Re: Kastas Monument

Post by Alexias »

Thanks for this. The tomb is not aligned with the centre of the mound. Does this argue that the mound was already in existence and was re-used for the tomb? The lion pedestal is also not aligned with the entrance to the tomb, so it would look as though the two were not designed as an single monument.
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system1988
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Re: Kastas Monument

Post by system1988 »

Usually, from what I know, the burial monument did not -constructionally speaking- coincide with the center of the tumulus itself for security reasons.
As far as the "History of Kasta" is concerned, experts have concluded that initially there was a natural mound in which archaic period burials existed. On its top there was a wooden, cylidric and large trophy which was positioned to look at the valley where most likely a great military event had taken place.

In 323 BC a backfilling with dirt takes place, the trophy is removed, the marble lion and its base (together weighing 500 tons ca) are placed and the burial monument is built (Kariatids, Sphinxes etc) as well as the very well made precinct. The burial monument itself to which the visitors did not have access - but could enter in some way when it was allowed- was a heroön and place for rituals. The hero /god must have had his ritual on December because the sun shines through the entire monument and reaches the forth chamber / grave on that month. According to Mrs. Peristeri who was in charge of the dig, the only celebrated deceased individual was a man as old as 35 (approximately) whose legs had the ashes of another deceased individual. The ash was probably inside an item of great value that has been stolen. Mrs Peristeri is of the opinion that the ash belonged to Hephaestion. As far as the skeleton itself, we can only guess (his father?) As far as the rest of the other 3 deceased in individuals are concerned, a woman of 60 years of age, a man and a newborn, since they were found on an upper level of the backfilling, they are considered to be not relevant. Mrs. Peristeri bases her conculsions on 2 inscriptions found on the precinct "I RECEIVED THE (BUILDING MATERIAL?) OF THE MONUMENT OF HEPHAESTION". Inside the monument inscriptions of Hephaestion's monogram are found.

In 319 BC an important change on the monument takes place (the year that s Kassandros, is king regent of Macedonia). The room containing the tomb is somewhat brutishly sealed with a great marble door. The beautiful mosaic of Persephone is dealt damage by an item (an altar?) that is placed upon it. According to mr. Lefantzis this means that the Eleusian worship of the location is brought to a stop and the Dionysean worship begins. It is also during that time that the frieze is painted on which dionisiac elements exist and 2 military figures that ascend to godhood are painted. A pyramis can be seen as well as a ship prow, weapons, equestrians, and red clothes that are carried from victory events. It is notworthy that we know that Kassandros alone was not initiated at the Eleusinian mysteries.

In 167 BC with the Roman Empire on the march, the Macedonians, in order to protect the monument fill it with sand from the banks of Stremona river, after removing all valuable items (most probably Emilius Paulus, after his victory at the Pidna battle, transported the lot of them to Rome). After that many thieves entered the monument, destroying whatever they could and cut the head of one of the sphinxes.

All this are generally speaking the conclusions of the experts. I may have gotten a few details here and there wrong but the important stuff is solid.
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Alexias
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Re: Kastas Monument

Post by Alexias »

Thanks very much for the explanation.
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