TO Miezain ancient times Fruit salad (current northern Greece, near modern Naoussa, in the Emazia region), the new excavation campaigns are providing further elements to identify the Royal Gymnasium with the place where Aristotle (384/383-322 BC) educated the young Alexander, future Alexander the Great (356-323 BC). The complex, located near today’s Naousadates back to mid-4th century BCat the time of Philip II (382-336 BC), father of Alexander, and the archaeological research is conducted by 2024 under the direction of the archaeologist Angeliki Kottaridi.
According to the Greek Ministry of Culturethe new findings allow us to better understand the architecture and functions of the monumental gymnasium, intended for the education and preparation of young people belonging to the families of the Macedonian elite. The hypothesis that Aristotle’s school was located here is strengthened by the complex’s characteristics and its chronology. This was basically a “elite school“, where young Macedonian nobles were educated in Greek literature as much asphysical activity and to themilitary art.
One of the most important finds is a large complex of beyond 160 square metersidentified in the named area Didaskaleionthat is, the place intended for teaching, with real gods stone benches. The structure includes a central vestibule and two andronesrooms used for banquets. Both retain mosaic floors and raised platforms intended for banquet bedsi klinai. Each room had ten bedsallowing you to accommodate at least twenty diners in total.
The quality and technique of the mosaics present notable similarities with those documented in Aigai Royal Palaceseat of the Macedonian court. The excavations also revealed architectural elements belonging to the gymincluding parts of an Ionic frieze decoration, an Ionic column element and a capital. Particularly important is a corner fragment of a Doric architrave belonging to peristylewith its 200 meter long covered portico, which will be able to help reconstruct the original appearance of the gym with greater precision.
The Mieza Gymnasium was therefore a destined complex not just physical exercisebut to training of young Macedonians. The Ministry highlights the role it had in preparing the future members of the kingdom’s elite, while new archaeological data is progressively defining its organization and functions. Identification with the school of Aristotle and Alexander it is therefore strengthened by the new data, but the ministry’s statement presents it as a result of ongoing archaeological research, destined to be further explored with the continuation of the excavations.
