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[[File:ΤΑΦΟΣ-ΑΝΘΕΜΙΩΝ-1-678x381.jpg|thumb|none]]
[[File:ΤΑΦΟΣ-ΑΝΘΕΜΙΩΝ-1-678x381.jpg|thumb|The facade of the Tomb of the Palmettes.]]
== '''Tomb of the Palmettes / Flowers, Mieza-Grèce''' ==
The '''Tomb of the Palmettes''' in Mieza, Greece, stands as a remarkable testament to the architectural and artistic achievements of the Hellenistic period in the ancient Macedonian kingdom. Discovered in the lush landscapes that once cradled the educational endeavors of Aristotle with Alexander the Great, this funerary monument captivates historians, archaeologists, and visitors with its well-preserved structure and exquisite decorative elements. Dating back to the first half of the third century BC, the tomb, alongside others such as the Tomb of Judgment, delineates the rich cultural and historical tapestry of the region. This article delves into the architectural details, historical context, and ongoing preservation efforts that highlight the significance of the Tomb of the Palmettes as a cultural heritage site and a window into Macedonia's illustrious past.
The Tomb of the Flowers, one of the most magnificent and best preserved monuments of ancient Mieza, lies together with other similar tombs, like the Tomb of Judgement only a hundred and fifty metres to the east, along the ancient road connecting Mieza with Pella, the capital of the kingdom of Macedon. The Tomb of the Flowers dates to the first half of the third century BC, and so is contemporary with the 'Kinch' Tomb in the same area.


The Tomb of the Palmettes, sometimes known as the Rhomiopoulou Tomb, is an ancient Macedonian tomb of the Hellenistic period in Mieza, Macedonia, Greece, noted for the quality of its painted decoration. It was built in the first half of the third century BC. The tomb was discovered in 1971 after illegal excavations. A metal structure was built over the tomb in 1988 to protect it from the elements, but restoration work is still ongoing.
[[File:tombAnthemion_mainpage (1).jpg|thumb|none]]


After the burial of the deceased and the completion of the customary funerary rites this subterranean funerary monument was covered by a tumulus over 2.50 metres high and 15-17 metres in diameter. The tomb consists of two barrel-vaulted chambers and a temple-shaped fa?ade with four engaged Ionic columns and polychrome Ionic and Doric kymatia. The entrance to the tomb was sealed with six poros blocks. The one metre high tympanon of the pediment was decorated with a beautiful painted scene depicting an elderly couple reclining on a symposium couch. Both figures wear a chiton and himation with opulent folds. The pediment is crowned by three palmettes painted in chiaroscuro. The walls in the narrow ante-chamber were painted black in the lower part and white in the upper part, the two colours being divided by bands of black and white. A beautiful painting of six flowers alternating with water-lilies on a blue-green background, as if floating on the surface of a pond, adorns the ceiling. A double door of marble, 3.50 metres high and 0.90 metres wide, with relief motifs separates the ante-chamber from the burial chamber. The latter preserves a rectangular stone base, upon which stood the box or larnax containing the bones of the deceased. The vaulted ceiling is covered with pale yellow plaster, and the walls were painted in imitation of marble revetment, black in their lower part and red in their upper part, the two colours being divided by a white band. The monument's characteric Ionic decoration, with its detailed design and polychromy, provides useful information for both its dating and for large-scale painting in Greece. Although the tomb was looted several times in antiquity enough furnishings remain to offer a glimpse of the opulent grave gifts it once contained. Especially important are the ivory plaques from the revetment of a bed.
== '''Tomb of the Palmettes, Mieza, Greece''' ==
The '''Tomb of the Palmettes''', also known as the '''Tomb of the Flowers''', stands as one of the most magnificent and best-preserved monuments of ancient Mieza. Located alongside other notable burial sites, such as the Tomb of Judgment, it is situated merely a hundred and fifty meters to the east along the ancient road that connected Mieza with Pella, the historical capital of the Macedonian kingdom. The construction of the Tomb of the Palmettes dates back to the first half of the third century BC, placing it within the same chronological context as the nearby 'Kinch' Tomb.


The tomb is accessible to visitors. Soon, the shelter will be extended and the earthen tumulus, which once covered the monument, will be restored.
Discovered in 1971 following unauthorized excavations, the Tomb of the Palmettes reflects the Hellenistic period's architectural finesse. It is sometimes referred to as the Rhomiopoulou Tomb, named after its discoverer. To protect it from environmental damage, a protective metal structure was erected over the site in 1988, although restoration efforts are ongoing.


[[File:tombAnthemion_mainpage (1).jpg|thumb|Detail of the palmettes on the ceiling of the antechamber, giving the tomb its name.]]


Author
The tomb's structure features two barrel-vaulted chambers and a temple-shaped façade adorned with four engaged Ionic columns alongside polychrome Ionic and Doric kymatia. Originally, the tomb's entrance was sealed by six large blocks of poros stone. Dominating the one-meter-high tympanum of the pediment is a meticulously painted scene depicting an elderly couple in repose on a symposium couch, clad in chitons and himations with elaborate folds. This scene is accentuated by the pediment's crown of three elegantly painted palmettes, showcasing exquisite chiaroscuro effects.


I. Psarra, archaeologist
In the antechamber, the walls are distinctly painted in two halves: black on the lower and white on the upper, separated by contrasting bands. The ceiling captivates with a series of six meticulously depicted flowers interspersed with water-lilies set against a blue-green backdrop, simulating the serene surface of a pond. Separating the antechamber from the main burial chamber is a double marble door, standing 3.50 meters tall and 0.90 meters wide, and embellished with intricate relief motifs.


Within the burial chamber itself, a rectangular stone base remains, which once supported the larnax holding the remains of the deceased. The chamber's vaulted ceiling is plastered in a subtle pale yellow, while the walls mimic marble revetment with their black lower and red upper sections divided by a white band. This unique Ionic decor, notable for its detailed craftsmanship and vibrant colors, provides significant insights into the period's artistic conventions and painting techniques.
Despite multiple incidents of looting throughout history, the tomb still houses sufficient remnants to illustrate the wealth of grave goods it once contained, highlighted by remarkable ivory plaques originally adorning a ceremonial bed.
The Tomb of the Palmettes is currently open to visitors, with future plans to expand the protective shelter and restore the earthen tumulus that once enveloped this historic monument.
'''Authored by:'''
I. Psarra, Archaeologist


{{Marianthi-Signature}}
{{Marianthi-Signature}}

Latest revision as of 21:15, 24 March 2024

The facade of the Tomb of the Palmettes.

The Tomb of the Palmettes in Mieza, Greece, stands as a remarkable testament to the architectural and artistic achievements of the Hellenistic period in the ancient Macedonian kingdom. Discovered in the lush landscapes that once cradled the educational endeavors of Aristotle with Alexander the Great, this funerary monument captivates historians, archaeologists, and visitors with its well-preserved structure and exquisite decorative elements. Dating back to the first half of the third century BC, the tomb, alongside others such as the Tomb of Judgment, delineates the rich cultural and historical tapestry of the region. This article delves into the architectural details, historical context, and ongoing preservation efforts that highlight the significance of the Tomb of the Palmettes as a cultural heritage site and a window into Macedonia's illustrious past.


Tomb of the Palmettes, Mieza, Greece[edit | edit source]

The Tomb of the Palmettes, also known as the Tomb of the Flowers, stands as one of the most magnificent and best-preserved monuments of ancient Mieza. Located alongside other notable burial sites, such as the Tomb of Judgment, it is situated merely a hundred and fifty meters to the east along the ancient road that connected Mieza with Pella, the historical capital of the Macedonian kingdom. The construction of the Tomb of the Palmettes dates back to the first half of the third century BC, placing it within the same chronological context as the nearby 'Kinch' Tomb.

Discovered in 1971 following unauthorized excavations, the Tomb of the Palmettes reflects the Hellenistic period's architectural finesse. It is sometimes referred to as the Rhomiopoulou Tomb, named after its discoverer. To protect it from environmental damage, a protective metal structure was erected over the site in 1988, although restoration efforts are ongoing.

Detail of the palmettes on the ceiling of the antechamber, giving the tomb its name.

The tomb's structure features two barrel-vaulted chambers and a temple-shaped façade adorned with four engaged Ionic columns alongside polychrome Ionic and Doric kymatia. Originally, the tomb's entrance was sealed by six large blocks of poros stone. Dominating the one-meter-high tympanum of the pediment is a meticulously painted scene depicting an elderly couple in repose on a symposium couch, clad in chitons and himations with elaborate folds. This scene is accentuated by the pediment's crown of three elegantly painted palmettes, showcasing exquisite chiaroscuro effects.

In the antechamber, the walls are distinctly painted in two halves: black on the lower and white on the upper, separated by contrasting bands. The ceiling captivates with a series of six meticulously depicted flowers interspersed with water-lilies set against a blue-green backdrop, simulating the serene surface of a pond. Separating the antechamber from the main burial chamber is a double marble door, standing 3.50 meters tall and 0.90 meters wide, and embellished with intricate relief motifs.

Within the burial chamber itself, a rectangular stone base remains, which once supported the larnax holding the remains of the deceased. The chamber's vaulted ceiling is plastered in a subtle pale yellow, while the walls mimic marble revetment with their black lower and red upper sections divided by a white band. This unique Ionic decor, notable for its detailed craftsmanship and vibrant colors, provides significant insights into the period's artistic conventions and painting techniques.

Despite multiple incidents of looting throughout history, the tomb still houses sufficient remnants to illustrate the wealth of grave goods it once contained, highlighted by remarkable ivory plaques originally adorning a ceremonial bed.

The Tomb of the Palmettes is currently open to visitors, with future plans to expand the protective shelter and restore the earthen tumulus that once enveloped this historic monument.

Authored by: I. Psarra, Archaeologist

Author[edit source]

➡ Marianthi

  • Ευγενική χορηγία που στοχεύει να βοηθήσει μαθητές ή μη, απανταχού της Γης, που επιδίδονται στην εκμάθηση της ελληνικής γλώσσας!
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