×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Saturday
11
Jul 2026
weather symbol
Athens 32°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> Culture

National Geographic: Amphipolis is the Greek “Game of Thrones”

As archaeologists dig deeper…

Newsroom November 23 05:59

Δείτε περισσότερα άρθρα μας στα αποτελέσματα αναζήτησης

Add Protothema.gr on Google

National Geographic web magazine made a long report on the family of Alexander the Great, “a tale of family drama and palace intrigue”.

Although the great discoveries in Amphipolis continue and the anticipation for the mystery of the identity of the deceased grows , National Geographic believes that the riddle of the funerary monument is the Greek “Game of Thrones”.

According to the article although is almost for certain that Alexander the Great was buried in Egypt, it remains unknown where the rest members of his family were buried.

As the article reports, over the past three months, Greek archaeologist Katerina Peristeri and her team have made a series of tantalizing discoveries in the tomb, from columns sculpted masterfully in the shapes of young women to a mosaic floor depicting the abduction of the Greek goddess Persephone. The tomb’s costly artwork all dates to the tumultuous time around the death of Alexander the Great, and points to the presence of an important person.

Alexander himself was almost certainly buried in Egypt. But the final resting places—and the rich historical and genetic data they may contain—of many of his family members are unknown. The excavation at Amphipolis is bound to add a new chapter to the history of Alexander the Great and his family, a dynasty as steeped in intrigue, conspiracy, and bloodshed as the fictional Lannisters in the popular television series Game of Thrones.

Z3A
As explained in the article, among Alexander’s family, “the king or ruler who ended up dying in his bed was rare,” says Phillip Freeman, a biographer of Alexander the Great and a classical historian at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

Alexander’s mother, Olympias, was a daughter of the king of Molossia, a realm that encompassed part of modern Albania, and she claimed descent from the legendary Greek hero, Achilles. She was one of Philip’s many wives, and according to ancient historians, she schemed relentlessly at court to put her son on the Macedonian throne. Some historians even suspect that she poisoned Alexander’s older half-brother, impairing his mental faculties.

Z3B

The article explains in detail the life of the family members of Alexander and his life as well as choises.

Also supports that in order to clear the path to the Macedonian throne, Cassander took Olympias prisoner during a siege and executed her. Then, like Alexander himself, he set about eliminating other potential plotters. He imprisoned Alexander’s most important foreign wife, Roxane, and his posthumous son, Alexander IV, at Amphipolis—and had them both secretly murdered in 311 B.C. With the dirty work done, Cassander ruled the kingdom of Macedonia until his death in 297 B.C.

Most archaeologists today are convinced, based on historical accounts, that Alexander himself was buried somewhere in Egypt, quite possibly in the city that bears his name today, Alexandria.

The article concludes by saying that researchers have yet to find the tombs of Olympias, Roxane, Hephaestion, and many of his generals. Perhaps the archaeological team clearing the mysterious tomb at Amphipolis will yet find the remains of one of them.

>Related articles

Bonnie Tyler dies at the age of 75

Eric Gales to perform in Athens at the Sweet Summer Sun Festival

Lupita Nyong’o questions Homer over women in The Odyssey, sparking backlash: ‘Show some respect’

Z3C

 

 

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

> More Culture

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

‘Dr Death’: the Russian prison doctor accused of torturing Ukrainian POWs

July 11, 2026

11-hour Berlin hostage drama ends as special forces free supermarket cashier

July 11, 2026

14 Greek Hotels That Get Barefoot Luxury Right

July 11, 2026

Marfin case: accused woman to return to Greece and plead not guilty as two suspects prepare defence for Tuesday

July 11, 2026

“His head and shoulders were sticking out of the plane” – the thriller on the Ryanair flight makes headlines in global media

July 11, 2026

The plan for cheaper petrol and diesel this summer: curbing fuel price hikes with a discount at the pump

July 11, 2026

Greece unveils national AI Act framework: what changes for citizens, businesses and government

July 11, 2026

Toxic pufferfish cull: 22 questions and answers on the pilot programme paying fishermen 5.33 euros per kilo

July 11, 2026
All News

> Greece

In reverence, the emotional deposition in Jerusalem, see photos & video

The Holy Temple of the Resurrection opened after many days due to the war between Israel and Iran

April 10, 2026

In the final stretch for the accreditation of joint master’s degrees: Aiming for their launch in the coming academic year

April 10, 2026

Schedule for Epitaph Procession today (10/4)

April 10, 2026

Perfect weather for Easter excursions, according to Tsatrafyllia’s forecast

April 10, 2026

Easter in Greece: The customs that continue in Greek tradition – From Nafpaktos to Corfu

April 10, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα