Greece

Amphipolis

Ancient Greek city and necropolis, northern Greece

Location

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Historical Context

About

Amphipolis (Greek: Αμφίπολη, romanized: Amfipoli; Ancient Greek: Ἀμφίπολις, romanized: Amphipolis) was an important ancient Greek polis (city), and later a Roman city, whose large remains can still be seen. It gave its name to the modern municipality of Amphipoli, in the Serres regional unit of northern Greece. Amphipolis was originally a colony of ancient Athenians and was the site of the battle between the Spartans and Athenians in 422 BC. It was later the place where Alexander the Great prepared for campaigns leading to his invasion of Asia in 335 BC. Alexander's three finest admirals, Nearchus, Androsthenes and Laomedon, resided in Amphipolis. After Alexander's death, his wife Roxana and their son Alexander IV were imprisoned and murdered there in 311 BC. Excavations in and around the city have revealed important buildings, ancient walls and tombs. The finds are displayed at the archaeological museum of Amphipolis. At the nearby vast Kasta burial mound, an ancient Macedonian tomb has recently been revealed. The Lion of Amphipolis monument nearby is a popular destination for visitors. It was located within the region of Edonis.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history

First attempted colonisation by Histiaeus

497 BCE

Athenian colony founded at Ennea-Hodoi; massacre

465 BCE

Successful Athenian foundation under Hagnon; city walls built

437 BCE

Brasidas captures Amphipolis

424 BCE

Battle of Amphipolis; deaths of Cleon and Brasidas

422 BCE

Philip II conquers Amphipolis

357 BCE

Alexander assembles forces before Asian campaign

335 BCE

Murder of Roxana and Alexander IV

311 BCE

Roman reorganisation after Battle of Pydna

168 BCE

Damage in the Thracian revolt

1st century BCE

Late Antique church building phase

5th–6th centuries CE

Bishop of Amphipolis attested

533 CE

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Defensive Structures

Defensive WallsRampartsFortresses
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Military Installations

Battlefields
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Public and Civic Structures

Gymnasium
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Burial and Funerary Structures

TombsBurial Mounds
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Religious and Ritual Structures

TemplesChurches
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Artistic and Decorative Features

MosaicsFrescoesStatuesMonumentsInscriptionsMurals
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Environmental and Natural Features

Artificial Mounds
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Transportation and Communication Structures

RoadsQuaysShipyards
Knowledge Base

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Reference

Details

Country

Greece

Coordinates

40.82° N, 23.84° E