Dissertation committee:
Όλγα Παλαγγιά, Ομότιμη Καθηγήτρια Κλασικής Αρχαιολογίας, Ε.Κ.Π.Α.
Παναγιώτης Βαλαβάνης, Ομότιμος Καθηγητής Κλασικής Αρχαιολογίας, Ε.Κ.Π.Α.
Χρύσανθος Κανελλόπουλος, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής Κλασικής Αρχαιολογίας, Ε.Κ.Π.Α.
Στυλιανός Κατάκης, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής Κλασικής Αρχαιολογίας, Ε.Κ.Π.Α.
Ελένη Παπαγιάννη, Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια Κλασικής Αρχαιολογίας, Α.Π.Θ.
Δημήτρης Μποσνάκης, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής Κλασικής Αρχαιολογίας, Παν/μιο Κρήτης
Γεώργιος Ζάχος, Ερευνητής Κέντρου Ερεύνης της Αρχαιότητας, Ακαδημία Αθηνών
Summary:
The object of this study is the "Macedonian type" built vaulted tombs and rock cut chamber tombs of the Hellenistic era in ancient Thessaly (north Fthiotida and Thessaly). An attempt is made to examine the architectural form of the "Macedonian type" built vaulted tombs and rock cut chamber tombs of the Hellenistic era, that have been excavated in northern Fthiotida and Thessaly, compared to those found in Macedonia and other parts of Greece. At the same time, it is examined how were the relations of the areas in which the tombs have been found, with the Macedonians and their influence over the Hellenistic period. This period is characterized as of flourishing Macedonian domination. The approach is synthetic, based on ancient sources, existing posts and tomb data.
The material on which the study is based, derives mainly from archaeological excavations, on the occasion of excavating foundations for the erection of buildings or on the occasion of illegal excavations, and old posts concerning graves and their burial offerings.
The main purpose of this study is to fill the gap that exists to this day in the overall presentation and view of Macedonian-style tombs and especially of rock cut chamber tombs in ancient Thessaly.
In the present study, a reference is firstly made (in chapter A) to the history of research of Macedonian type ancient tombs with the citation of the main publications concerning the tombs included therein.In order to show that the geographical distribution of Macedonian tombs in various regions of ancient Thessaly coincides with the Macedonian presence in them, the main historical events are examined. These events are directly related to Thessaloniki-Macedonian relations from the classical period to the Roman conquest of areas where the tombs were found. Data based on ancient sources, epigraphic data and publications prove the interactions between Thessaly and Macedonia (Chapter B). The deep historic involvement of these two regions was found, as well as their close and continuous involvement. Ιnfluence and imitation currents were created and directed on both sides of Mount Olympus. Spercheios valley where most of the tombs were found, is the southern border of Thessaly. This valley separates Thessaly from central Greece. Due to its location and morphology it was an intermediate passage between north and south, and a natural passage for the movement of armies, goods, ideas and cultural currents.
In chapter 3 the description of hundred and one (101) tombs of Macedonian type took place. Thirteen (13) built vaulted tombs and eighty eight (88) rock cut chamber tombs were described in detail. Unfortunately, the desecration of graves and the re-shaping of their interiors resulted in the disappearance of precious burial offerings, the destruction of many data and the loss of the ability to categorize the tombs. After the study of the literature concerning these tombs, the necessary information was collected, and the publications for each one of the tombs was recorded. In some cases, there is a description of indicative burial offerings, that were dated with bibliographic documentation, in order to determine as accurately as possible the time of tomb construction and how these tombs were used.
In Chapter D the typology of Macedonian type built vaulted tombs and rock cut chamber tombs that were excavated in northern Fthiotida and Thessaly was examined. An emphasis was given to their architectonic features, compared to those that were found in Macedonia and other areas in Greek territory.
Built vaulted tombs were found to have all the main features of the Macedonian built vaulted group, as well as some of the architectonic special features of the Macedonian built vaulted tombs of Sterea Hellas. These tombs are a smaller and more negligent provincial imitation of similar monuments found in Macedonia and are not characterized by the brilliance of their rich counterparts. The built vaulted tombs of ancient Thessaly have a simpler design than their Macedonian counterparts, the burial chamber is smaller in size, without an anteroom and with a smaller entrance opening. Their facade lacks architectural decoration and painting, and no luxurious furnishings were found inside.
The rock cut chamber tombs were found to have all the basic features of the group of Macedonian rock cut chamber tombs. Their facades were simple, carved in natural rock, and no attempt was made to form in a particular way their architectural design as well as their written decoration. Most of the rock cut chamber tombs have a chamber with a rectangular trench and around it a carved P-shaped burial board.
In northern Greece, the Macedonian type built vaulted tombs were intended for royal family members, officials and nobles. In ancient Thessaly tombs were found desecerated, and it cannot be demonstrated that they contained dead Macedonians’ bodies. Studying the tombs’ architecture does not allow us to ensure that the dead were of Macedonian origin or that they were Macedonian officials or affiliated with them, as no inscriptions were found on them. For all these reasons, it was attempted to examine whether these tombs were situated in territories subordinate to Macedonian hegemony or within its sphere of influence (Chapter E).
Keywords:
hellenistic era, macedonian type, tombs, vaulted, rock cut, chamber, Thessaly, macedonian domination
