Palace of Aigai to be Reopened

The Palace of Aigai, an ancient Greek site dating back to the 4th century BC that served as the spiritual centre of Macedonian rulers, is reopening on January 8th, 2023 after a 16-year, €20 million renovation project.

Significance as Macedonian Capital

Located in northern Greece, Aigai was the capital of the dominant Macedonian kingdom in classical antiquity. The nearby tombs contain the remains of King Philip II and other royals, underscoring Aigai’s historical importance.

Key Details About The Palace

Spread over 15,000 sq meters, the site includes the royal palace and surrounding colonnaded walkways and courtyards which hosted court gatherings of ancient Macedonians. The 8,000 capacity central courtyard is where Philip II’s son Alexander III, better known as Alexander The Great, was crowned king in 336 BC before launching his campaign conquering vast swathes of Europe and Asia.

Key Facts About Alexander The Great

• Alexander the Great was born in 356 BC in Pella, Macedonia to King Philip II
• As a young boy, Alexander was tutored by Aristotle for 3 years which sparked his interest in medicine and science
• In 336 BC, at age 20, Alexander became King of Macedonia after his father was assassinated
• He began his reign by defeating rivals in Greek and Macedonian regions
• In 334 BC, he started the invasion of the Persian Empire, conquering lands across northeast Africa and Asia
• Alexander built many new cities named after himself in conquered territories
• His invasion continued to the Ganges River in India but his army refused to go further
• Alexander created one of history’s largest empires stretching from Greece to northwest India
• He died at age 32 in 323 BC after a 13 year reign as Macedonia’s King

Destruction and Excavations Over The Centuries

The Palace of Aigai was destroyed by the Romans in 148 BC. Systematic excavations to uncover the site began in the 19th century and continued into the 1900s, with the most recent restoration work starting in 2007.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2024

Category: Places in News Current Affairs