Mieza: The School Where Aristotle Tutored Alexander the Great

Ruins of the schoolhouse wherever Aristotle taught Alexander connected the tract of Ancient Mieza. Credit: Jean Housen/Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Greek archeologists are keen to excavate further the archeological tract of Mieza located successful the northeastern portion of Macedonia wherever Aristotle is believed to person tutored Alexander the Great.

After Greece opened the Palace of Aigai, wherever Alexander the Great was sworn successful arsenic king, Mieza, little than 30 km distant is the absorption of the archeologists.

Angeliki Kottaridi, Director of the Museum of Royal Tombs of Aigai wrote connected Facebook that the schoolhouse of Mieza, wherever Aristotle taught Alexander and the procreation of Macedonians who created the Hellenistic satellite is the caller large challenge.

She believes that lone a information of the past schoolhouse oregon gymnasium has truthful acold been excavated and that the country has inactive galore surprises to offer.

“Mieza was not a elemental school, but the archetype of each schools from Macedonia and Asia Minor to the Sahara, the banks of the Indus, and the steppes of Central Asia,” she precocious told a league connected Mieza.

“It became the lever that made the full satellite speak, think, unrecorded and combat successful the Greek way,” she added.

Archaeologists are putting unneurotic an excavation program highlighting each the glamor of Mieza, recovered lone 2 kilometers distant from the metropolis of Naoussa, which hosts a theatre and emblematic tombs isolated from the school.

Modern statue of Aristotle adjacent the schoolhouse astatine Mieza. Credit: Carole Raddato, CC BY-SA 2.0

King Philip II invited Aristotle to Mieza to amended Alexander

It is believed that King Philip II invited Aristotle to Mieza to amended his son, Alexander, on with a radical of different young nobles. The earthy surroundings of Mieza, with its lush landscapes and tranquil setting, would person provided an perfect situation for intelligence pursuits and philosophical discussions.

Aristotle’s teachings successful Mieza are thought to person encompassed a wide scope of subjects, including philosophy, politics, and earthy sciences, laying the groundwork for Alexander’s aboriginal pursuits arsenic a person and conqueror.

For King Philip II of Macedon, the large philosopher would beryllium the perfect tutor to thatch his son, Alexander, to go a almighty heir to his throne. Furthermore, Philip wanted to bring civilization and acquisition to his kingdom to lucifer the intelligence and taste achievements of the well-organized and cultured Greek city-states.

Visitors contiguous tin research the remains of a Nymphaeum, a temple dedicated to the Nymphs, which features a two-floor arcade with Ionic columns and respective earthy caves. This is thought to beryllium the bosom of the school. Additionally, ongoing excavations person revealed an past theatre and different structures.

Magnificent Macedonian tombs adjacent Mieza

Along the past roadworthy that connected Mieza with the Macedonian superior of Pella, prevarication six awesome tombs dating from the 4th to 3rd centuries BC.

These subterranean structures boast awesome temple-like facades and 1 oregon 2 burial chambers. They are known for their singular painted decorations, which correspond immoderate of the lone surviving examples of large-scale ancient Greek paintings.

Some of the astir notable tombs include:

Tomb of the Judgement: Featuring murals depicting scenes of the afterlife, including Hermes Psychopompos guiding the dead.

Tomb of the Judgement. Credit: Vassiliki Feidopoulou,  Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 

Tomb of the Palmettes: Named for the 3 ample palmette ornaments connected its pediment, it besides features a fresco depicting a reclining couple.

Tomb of the Palmettes. Credit: Vassiliki Feidopoulou,  Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 

Tomb of Lyson and Kallikles: This tomb showcases a unsocial hunting country painted connected its facade.

Tomb of Lyson and Kallikles. Public Domain

These tombs connection a glimpse into the funerary practices and creator traditions of the past Macedonian kingdom.

In summation to these main attractions, the tract of Mieza besides encompasses different archaeological remains, including the foundations of houses and nationalist buildings. While overmuch of the past metropolis remains unexcavated, the existing finds supply invaluable insights into its past and significance.

Related: What Did Aristotle Teach Alexander the Great?