The excavation research carried out by the Aristotle University team in Philippi was completed on Friday, September 16.

This year the excavation continued on the eastern side of one of the main streets of the city, which at this point meets another main axis that passes further north.

The point of convergence of the two streets is formed by a widening (a square) dominated by a richly decorated building, probably a fountain.

The building had a special architectural decoration, fragments of which were uncovered.

Its decoration was completed by an impressive statue from Roman times (2nd century AD).

The statue, whose size is larger than normal, depicts Hercules without a beard with a youthful body.

The club, which has been found in fragments, and the lion hanging from the outstretched left hand attest to the identity of the hero.

On his hair he wears a wreath of vine leaves which is held at the back by a band whose ends end at the shoulders.

The specific statue adorned a building which, according to the excavation findings, dates back to the 8th/9th century AD.

We know from the sources as well as from the archaeological data that in Constantinople statues from the classical and Roman period adorned buildings and public spaces until the late Byzantine period.

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This find demonstrates the way public spaces were decorated in the important cities of the Byzantine Empire, including Philippi. The excavation will continue next year.

The director of the excavation is professor Natalia Poulos and assistant professor Anastasios Tantsi and emeritus professor Aristotle Menzos are collaborators.

Twenty-four (24) AUTH students (18 undergraduates, 3 postgraduates and 3 PhD candidates) took part in the excavation.

The research was funded by the regular budget of the University and the AUTH Research Committee.

Source: Kathimerini