PELLA ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE – did Alexander walk around here?
We have now arrived at Pella for our wanderings around the ancient wonders of this world. After the treasures we discovered at the museum, it is incredible to believe that all of them were unearthed here – in the land of Alexander the Great. WOW!
On first look is an unassuming type of place – this area is very flat and very open with marble pillars reaching for the sky.
The information plaques leave a bit to be desired but I am sure I will be able to work things out. First up is the House of Dionysus. It occupied an area of 3400 square metres and each room was decorated with fine pebble mosaics. Below is the North courtyard surrounded by Ionic columns. Below are pebble mosaics –
The first pebble mosaics had rough geometric designs, but artists in Greece by the 5th century BC had achieved a degree of technical proficiency that allowed them to create designs and figures with delicacy and considerable detail, as in a series of black-and-white mosaic floors depicting mythological scenes.
Most pebble mosaics were made simply with dark and light patterns, but a few were multicoloured, Below is the famous pebble mosaic of concentric triangles –
Next stop – the ‘House of the Abduction of Helen’. The mosaics here are incredible and a weather roof has been put over them for protection. This house was a wealthy home from around 4BC.
The Deer Hunt – framed by plant and geometric motifs adorned the small symposium hall situated at the north wing of the house. The main scene, which probably reproduces a large scale painting, shows two youths who have already captured the animal and they are about to kill it. The figure on the right is possibly Alexander the Great due to the date of the mosaic along with the depicted upsweep of his centrally-parted hair; the figure on the left wielding a double-edged axe is perhaps Hephaestion, one of Alexander’s loyal companions.
Above is the Abduction of Helen – or the rape of Helen – whichever you prefer. Apologies for the stitch in this photo – in reality it is a straight rectangular shape without the peak at the bottom. This mosaic depicts the abduction of Helen by Theseus. It decorated the largest symposium hall of the wealthy house. Made of river pebbles and various colours while parts of the outline and other details of the figures bodies are done in thin strips of lead or fired clay. Gemstones were probably used for the eyes of the figures – they are long gone.
These are the covers over the mosaics. As you can see they are still open to the elements like rain and wind so plans are underway – so I am told – to make them more closed to protect the mosaics.
Amazonomachy is a mosaic floor adorned with a combat scene between a Greek and two Amazons (warrior women). The central scene is framed with two zones decorated with plant motifs and animals.
After we have a walk around the other parts of this site – realistically there is nothing much more to see from where we are – it is time to head back to the bus and then to lunch.
We stop at Vergina where we can choose where to eat but I spy a lovely little restaurant – I think it may be family owned.
There are quite a few options but I choose the Moussaka which looks delicious – can’t wait to tuck in. Seeing it’s a hot day I also get an icy lemon squash – no, there is no vodka in it.
Soon it is time to head off for the main attractions at Vergina (formerly Aigai) – the underground tombs of Philip II and various other members of his family. Unfortunately not Alexander the Great – they are still looking for that one.
Arriving at the tombs – there is the usual argument between the two cheapskate couples and the ticket seller. He will not give in to these piggish people – so they have to pay full price. I think it is hilarious.
Let’s explore the tombs – –