Sacred Band

[Vicky]

In Mary Renault's book, there is a beautiful photo of a marble lion that commemorated the battle at Chaeronea. Where in modern terms is that statue? Is it a common sightseeing attraction?

[Nicator]

Hello Vicky,I believe it's still there, where it was left 2300 yrs ago. Though very weathered and aged, of course.later Nicator

[ruthaki]

It's by the roadside overlooking where the battlefield was. (at Chaironea). You can get there easily from Athens by bus. I went there a couple of years ago for a day-trip. It was a fantastic experience to see the locale of the battle. There's a little theatre ruin there from Plutarch's time as that was his home town. And in his time there was the oak tree under which Alexander camped. Ruthaki

[ruthaki]

P.S. The lion of Chaironea is very similar to the Lion at the Nine Ways Crossing near Amphipolis in Macedonia. I have some good photos of both.

[Yiannis K]

There's also a wonderfull copy (early 20th century) in the central square of Samos island. (not really relevant, but since I come from Samos, I thought I'd mention it

[ruthaki]

Gee, I've been to Samos a couple of times and don't recall seeing that! I can assure you, standing by the real one was quite a thrill! Also the Lion at Amphipolis, where I've been a couple of times during my research trips. A Macedonian friend of mine told me that when he was a child, parents in the area would tell their children to be good, or the lion would come and get them. (The Amphipolis Lion). Both these lions (similar) are quite daunting in appearance, and very large.