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In 2012, the ancient city received magnitudes of attention for the discovery of perhaps one of the most significant tomb findings in the last several decades.<ref>[http://www.theamphipolistomb.com/the-tomb The Amphipolis Tomb]</ref>

In 2012, the ancient city received magnitudes of attention for the discovery of perhaps one of the most significant tomb findings in the last several decades.<ref>[http://www.theamphipolistomb.com/the-tomb The Amphipolis Tomb]</ref>

== Etymology ==  

== Etymology ==

We are told about the origins of the name of ''Amphipolis'' in the writings of [[Thucydides]]. Accordingly, the Athenian general Hagnon named the city as he saw that the Strymon River surrounded the city on three sides, and thus deriving the name 'amphi', meaning 'on both sides'.<ref>see ref. 1</ref>

We are told about the origins of the name of ''Amphipolis'' in the writings of [[Thucydides]]. Accordingly, the Athenian general Hagnon named the city as he saw that the Strymon River surrounded the city on three sides, and thus deriving the name 'amphi', meaning 'on both sides'.<ref>see ref. 1</ref>

== Historical Overview ==

== Historical Overview ==

Although founded by the Athenians in 437 BC, it would not stay under Atheninan control for long. Less than two decades later, the [[Sparta|Spartan]] general [[Brasidas]] conquered the city and took it under his control. In 422 BC, the Athenians attempted to re-capture Amphipolis at the [[Battle of Amphipolis]], but Brasidas defeated them again, however he eventually succumbed to his wounds in this second battle and died that year.<ref>[http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_amphipolis.html Battle of Amphipolis]</ref> A year later, in the Peace of Nicias, the Athenians would now once again have control over Amphipolis, but the city of Amphipolis desired to become an autonomous city-state, and succeeded. By the fourth century BC, the Macedonians had acquired control over Amphipolis, and despite the attempts of the Athenians, they did not yield over the city to them, but instead established major defensive fortifications and walls to ensure their control over the region. The rulers of Amphipolis would only change again in 168 BC, when the [[Roman Empire|Romans]] seized Amphipolis and turned it into a free city under [[Augustus]], and for it Augustus received the title of ''Ktistes'' (founder). Under the Romans, Amphipolis gained extraordinary fortifications, walls that stretched for over 7,000 meters long and 7 meters in height. By the 8th and 9th centuries, Amphipolis was abandoned due to the Slavic invasions, and the people were forced to relocate themselves to the nearby site of Eion, however, by the 13th century, Amphipolis was again re-inhabited and resettled.

Although founded by the Athenians in 437 BC, it would not stay under Atheninan control for long. Less than two decades later, the [[Sparta]]n general [[Brasidas]] conquered the city and took it under his control. In 422 BC, the Athenians attempted to re-capture Amphipolis at the [[Battle of Amphipolis]], but Brasidas defeated them again, however he eventually succumbed to his wounds in this second battle and died that year.<ref>[http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_amphipolis.html Battle of Amphipolis]</ref> A year later, in the Peace of Nicias, the Athenians would now once again have control over Amphipolis, but the city of Amphipolis desired to become an autonomous city-state, and succeeded. By the fourth century BC, the Macedonians had acquired control over Amphipolis, and despite the attempts of the Athenians, they did not yield over the city to them, but instead established major defensive fortifications and walls to ensure their control over the region. The rulers of Amphipolis would only change again in 168 BC, when the [[Roman Empire|Romans]] seized Amphipolis and turned it into a free city under [[Augustus]], and for it Augustus received the title of ''Ktistes'' (founder). Under the Romans, Amphipolis gained extraordinary fortifications, walls that stretched for over 7,000 meters long and 7 meters in height. By the 8th and 9th centuries, Amphipolis was abandoned due to the Slavic invasions, and the people were forced to relocate themselves to the nearby site of Eion, however, by the 13th century, Amphipolis was again re-inhabited and resettled.

== Tomb Discovery ==

== Tomb Discovery ==

[[File:Anfipoli2.jpg|thumb|right|4th century BC lion statue of the 2012 tomb discovery of Amphipolis]]

[[File:Anfipoli2.jpg|thumb|right|4th century BC lion statue of the 2012 tomb discovery of Amphipolis]]

In 2012, a major finding of a royal tomb was found within the city of Amphipolis, constructed in the 4th century BC.<ref>see reference 4</ref> This tomb is suspected of having the body of one of the close relatives (such as a brother, mother) of [[Alexander the Great]], or perhaps even Alexander the Great himself. The tomb itself is surrounded by a nearly perfectly circular wall,<ref>[http://www.theamphipolistomb.com/wall The Surrounding Wall]</ref> built out of limestone and marble shipped from [[Thasos]], as well as timber. The wall stretches over 500 meters in perimeter and over 150 meters in diameter. The tomb consists of three chambers, and the first chamber has an opening to enter the tomb. Outside the first chamber are two statues of headless and wingless sphinxes.<ref>First Chamber and Entry[http://www.theamphipolistomb.com/gate]</ref> One of the most considerable aspects of the tomb is the enormous lion statue.<ref>The Lion [http://www.theamphipolistomb.com/lion]</ref> The statue is massive, the lion itself standing over 5 meters tall, and the overall statue being 15 meters in height including the base.

In 2012, a major finding of a royal tomb was found within the city of Amphipolis, constructed in the 4th century BC.<ref>see reference 4</ref> This tomb is suspected of having the body of one of the close relatives (such as a brother, mother) of [[Alexander the Great]], or perhaps even Alexander the Great himself. The tomb itself is surrounded by a nearly perfectly circular wall,<ref>[http://www.theamphipolistomb.com/wall The Surrounding Wall]</ref> built out of limestone and marble shipped from [[Thasos]], as well as timber. The wall stretches over 500 meters in perimeter and over 150 meters in diameter. The tomb consists of three chambers, and the first chamber has an opening to enter the tomb. Outside the first chamber are two statues of headless and wingless sphinxes.<ref>[http://www.theamphipolistomb.com/gate First Chamber and Entry]</ref> One of the most considerable aspects of the tomb is the enormous lion statue.<ref>[http://www.theamphipolistomb.com/lion The Lion]</ref> The statue is massive, the lion itself standing over 5 meters tall, and the overall statue being 15 meters in height including the base.

== See Also ==

== See also ==

*[[Roman Empire]]

*[[Roman Empire]]