Aegae
Aegae, located in the region of Pieria in Macedonia, is an ancient city steeped in history and mythology. It is traditionally associated with the god Poseidon and lies in proximity to the legendary Garden of Midas, known for its lush vines and orchards. Historically, Aegae served as the capital of the Macedonian kingdom until it was succeeded by Pella during the reign of King Archelaus. The site has been convincingly identified with modern-day Vergina, which features a significant necropolis containing numerous impressive tombs dating back to around 340–320 BC. Among these tombs, the Great Tomb is believed to belong to Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, with archaeological findings supporting this theory, including a skull with a known head wound. The rich artistic heritage of the site includes wall paintings depicting scenes from mythology, as well as exquisite grave goods such as a ceremonial parade shield and a gold crown. Additionally, the ruins of a royal palace and a theater where Philip II was assassinated further attest to the city's historical importance. Overall, Aegae represents a vital link to ancient Macedonian culture and history, offering insights into the lives of its royal inhabitants and their artistic expressions.
Subject Terms
Aegae
Aigai (Vergina)
In the region of Pieria in Macedonia, south of the river Haliacmon. Aegae was said to have been a residence of the god Poseidon, and the surrounding area was known as the Garden of Midas—an historical being proverbial for his wealth, and worshipped at the foot of Mount Bermion—because of its vines, orchards and roses. The city replaced Lebaea, the capital of the kings of Macedonia until Archelaus (413–399 BC) established himself at Pella instead. Aegae has now been convincingly identified with Vergina, where, in addition to a large prehistoric necropolis, an imposing number of rectangular and barrel-vaulted tombs of c 340–320 have come to light. Their grandeur and artistic excellence suggest that they were built to house the ashes of the Macedonian royal family, and one grave, the Great Tomb, is believed to have contained the remains of the ruler Philip II (359–336): a conclusion confirmed by examination of the skull, which reveals a grave head-wound corresponding to Philip's known loss of an eye. (The tomb also covers a smaller mound housing additional graves.)
Some of these burial places were adorned by wall paintings—including a Rape of Persephone and a Lion Hunt—that provide a unique contribution to our knowledge of this rarely preserved ancient Greek art. The grave goods include a ceremonial parade-shield, ornamented with ivory (and now restored), in addition to caskets sheathed in gold and silver plate (one containing remnants of cloth), and a superbly executed crown of gold leaves. Ivory heads from the same site represent Alexander the Great and, apparently, his father Philip II and his mother Olympias.
The ruins of an ancient city extend between Vergina and the town of Palatitsa, about a mile and a half to the west. On a small plateau between the acropolis and a cemetery stand the remains of a royal palace of the third century, containing large peristyle courts, double-storeyed colonnades and circular halls. A hundred yards north of the palace, the theater in which Philip II was murdered (336) has now been located; a statue-base is inscribed with the name of his mother Eurydice. A three-aisled early Christian basilica came to light in 1982.