According to the YPPOA, this year the excavation continued on the eastern side of one of the city’s main streets, which at this point meets another main axis that passes further north.
A richly decorated structure, possibly a fountain, and an impressive statue depicting Hercules dating back to Roman times were uncovered during this year’s excavations at Philippi.
As stated in the relevant announcement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the excavation research carried out by the team of the Aristotle University in Philippi, with the director of the excavation Professor Natalia Poulos and collaborators Assistant Professor Anastasios Tantsis and Emeritus Professor Aristotle Menzos, was completed on Friday, September 16, 2022. 24 AUTH students took part in the excavation, while the research was financed by the regular budget of the University and the AUTH Research Committee.
According to the YPPOA, this year the excavation continued on the eastern side of one of the city’s main streets, 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 life, depicts Hercules barren 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. Above the earl’s bosoms he wears a wreath of vine leaves which is held at the back by a ribbon, the ends of which end at the shoulders.
The particular 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.
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.
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