Review
The passing of the Via Egnatia through Amfipolis contributed in the city keeping its importance and
prosperity throughout Early Christian years. In AC 49/50, saint Paul the Apostle took the Via Egnatia to visit Amfipolis on his way from Philippi to Thessaloniki. During
Christianisation, the city became the seat of a bishop and is mentioned in the texts until AC 692. The discovery of four Early Christian Basilicas, of a rectangular building
considered be the bishop's palace and finally, of the pericentre of an Early Christian church, evidence that Amfipolis was an important religious and urban centre during the
Early Christian period. The city appears to have been destroyed between the 8th and the 9th century AC.
AMFIPOLIS THROUGHOUT THE CENTURIES The Prehistoric Period The area of the estuary of the Strymon river, with its natural wealth, offered favourable conditions of life
and establishment since prehistoric times. Findings from the settlement of the hill 133, from the cemetery of the settlement on the neighbouring The Early Historical Times From the middle of the 7th century BC, with the establishment of the Greek cities by the estuary of the Strymon river, begins the progressive penetration of the Greeks in Thrace, as evidenced by the Attic and Corinthian vases found in tombs of the Archaic period. The first signs of colonisation in the area of Amfipolis (Nine Roads) date back to the first half of the 5th century BC. The Classical And Hellenistic Periods The foundation of Amfipolis in 437 BC, under Pericles Age, represented a great success for the Athenians who were trying for years, to gain a lodgement in the wealthy inland. However, a few years later (422 BC), the city gains its independence and it preserves it until it is integrated by Philip II (357 BC) in the Kingdom of Macedonia. Within the Macedonian Kingdom, Amfipolis continues its important trade and cultural activities. Special importance was also granted to the sanctuaries. Its economy was based on its agricultural population which cultivated the "fertile valley of the Strymon". Among the inhabitants of the city, many were merchants, artisans and slaves. The active commercial life of the city reflects in the rich collection of coins as well as in the establishment of a royal mint during the Macedonian period.
The prosperity of the city is supported by the production of local pottery, sculptures and small artefacts which echo the daily life of the city. Very important inscriptions, including an "ephebic law" on a marble stele, date from that period and furnishes precious information on the "education of the youth". Roman Period
The Early Christian Period By the end of the Archaic age (4th century AC), the city expanse is reduced. However, the
transfer of the capital of the Roman state to Constantinople and the consecration of Christianity as official religion, The Byzantine Period
The Post Byzantine Period The last reference to Marmario is made in 1547 AC by the traveller P. Be/on. Since the 18th century, a new village, the village of Neohorion is mentioned to be located on the site of Marmario. In the beginning of the Ottoman period, Chrysoupolis remained the basic urban and commercial centre of the area, later on followed by the smaller in size ottoman fortress of Orfanio, 6km to the east and 3 km from the coast. The commercial and industrial activity continued in the delta and the mouth of the Strymon river throughout the Tourkokratia (Turkish dominion).
MONUMENTS
The ANCIENT WALLS of the city consisted a defensive enceinte about 7,450 m. long enclosing the broader area of the city and an inner one about 2,200 m., enclosing the main urban centre. Impressive parts of the walls of the Classical and Hellenistic period were uncovered. The most important being the one at the Railway Station, near the Strymon river, with gates and bastions, a drainage system to lead off the rain water and impressive stairs leading up to the promenade.
The GYMNASIUM is the most important public monument of Amfipolis, brought to light until now. Located to the south-east of ancient city, and within the defensive enceinte, it dates back to the period between the 4th century BC to the 1st century AC It includes indoor and open spaces for the exercise and the spiritual education of the youth, as well as worship spaces for the gods protecting the athletes. There are indications gymnasium, built perhaps at the same time as the city. In the Macedonian Kingdom age, the gymnasium consisted an important institution of Amfipolis, the operation of which was subject to the intervention of Macedonian kings. It was destroyed in the 1st century BC, presumably during the rebellion against the Romans. It was restored in the beginning of the 1st century AC. In the 2th century AC, another gymnasium appears to have been built in the area of the Acropolis of ancient Amfipolis. The palaestra held the central place in the Gymnasium, sheltering the indoor baths which were equipped with a system of water supply made of clay and lead pipes and with a large drainage pipe. The monumental stairs leading to the gymnasium are quite indoor stoical track. Opposite to the xisto, is the paradromis, a courtyard for exercise in good weather. Finally, excavations also uncovered a worship place for both Hermes and Herakles, patron gods of the Gymnasium, an altar for sacrifices and outdoor baths.
The HELLENISTIC HOUSE , situated between the Gymnasium and the Roman Villa, is the best preserved house having been brought to light in Amfipolis. Dated from the Hellenistic period (2nd century BC), it is a typical house of the Hellenistic period, articulated around a central peristyle courtyard on the four sides of which are the rooms. The floor of the courtyard is covered with pebbles. The roof was covered with clay tiles which were found on the floor of the rooms. Two rooms to the northern side are still preserved to a height showing the wall paintings. One depicts the isodomical construction manner with an engraved and painted rendering of the lines. The white colour prevails while the lines are red and black. The other room has a scenic architectural adornment of the 1st Pompeii Style.
Out of the MACEDONIAN TOMBS found in the vast area of Amfipolis, the two most important are located to the east of the route leading from Thessaloniki to Drama and date from the 3d century BC One has a built dromos, an antechamber with one couch and a burial chamber with two couches set in L shape. The couches of the burial chamber are adorned with Dionysian scenes. Its length exceeds 11 meters and it is the largest known tomb of "Macedonian type" of Amfipolis. It was uncovered during the excavations to the south of the Hellenistic cemetery, on a knoll overlooking the eastern part of the city. The second tomb also features a dromos but consists of a single chamber with two couches set in L shape.
Such is the "LION OF AMFIPOLIS", one of the most important funerary monuments, not only of Amfipolis but of the whole of Macedonia. Standing by the west bank of the Strymon river, near the old bridge, on a conventionally restored pedestal, on the precise spot where the scattered pieces of it were found. It is an imposing marble lion, sitting on its hind legs and raising its majestic stature outside N. Kerdylia, on the national road from Thessaloniki to Kavala. The monument is considered to date back to the end of the 4th beginning of the 3d century BC It appears to have been destroyed either by the Roman conquerors in their effort to transport it to Rome or,
The ROMAN VILLA is located south-west of the Christian basilica. It dates back to the 3rd century AC Its careful construction and the remarkable quality of the mosaic indicate the probably public character of this building which may have belonged to a larger building complex of the Roman period. The uncovered part of the building, appears to develop around a central courtyard, with a well. The courtyard is paved with rectangular marble slabs. The rooms are located west, south and north to the yard. Particularly interesting floor mosaics with mythological scenes were preserved in two corridors and one room of the west wing. The corridor of the west wing depicted the abduction of Europe by Zeus - in the shape of a bull. Two other mythological scenes in rectangular friezes, adorned one of the rooms of the west wing. One depicted Poseidon and Amymone and the other, the abduction of Hylas by the Nymphs. In the corridor of the south wing, in three rectangular friezes, the heads of three human forms, male, female and child, are depicted.
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Amfipolis was, in the antiquity, one of the most important cities of Macedonia. It was founded by the Athenian colonists in
437 BC, under the leadership of Hagnon, son of Nikias, on the site of the old township of Ennea Hodoi ("Nine Roads"). Hagnon named it Amfipolis due to the fact
that it was washed by the Strymon river on both its sides. He built it in such a way as to be out of view as much from the sea as from the land, shutting it off by a long black
enceinte from one side of the river to the other. Standing on a strategic site, in a cluster of hills dominating the rich in agricultural products and mines inland, it developed into
a prosperous centre for the Thracians, the Ionians, the Macedonians, the Romans and other foreigners, mainly because of the nearby gold and silver mines of mount
Pangaeum and thanks to its strategic location. It played a very important role during the Peloponnesian war as recounted by Thucydides who, in his self-exile, spent the last
years of his life in 
Amfipolis where he wrote the Peloponnesian war. Amfipolis hosted the royal mint of the Macedonians, and it was from Amfipolis that Philip II and
Alexander III the Great set forth for their military operations. Amfipolis prospered throughout the Hellenistic and Roman years whereas, after the battle of Pydna (168 BC), it
was made capital of the first of the four administrative-economic units (merides) into which the old kingdom was divided by the Romans.
It then appears that many of its inhabitants moved to the estuary of the Strymon
river, nearby ancient Hiona, later on known as Chrysoupolis. Significant parts of the Byzantine fortifications of this city are still preserved. During the Late Byzantine period
(13th - 14th century), the area was inhabited again. Two towers built on both sides of the Strymon river date back to that period.
hill of Kasta and other nearby sites, evidence the strong presence of man from the Middle Neolithic period to the Early Iron Age (5000
BC - 750 BC).
After the conquest of Macedonia by the Romans (168 BC), Amfipolis was made capital of the
first administrative-economic unit (merida) of Macedonia. The Roman period is for Amfipolis a period of prosperity under Roman sovereignty. As a stop along the Via Egnatia
route and enjoying the support of roman emperors, such as Augustus and Hadrian, the city prospers economically as evidenced by the monuments with mosaic floors, the
sculpture works, the pottery and other findings brought to light by the excavations.
favours the dynamic course of life of Amfipolis during the Early
Christian centuries, as evidenced by the Early Christian basilicas, the artistic mosaic and the remarkable system architectural adornment. The plague of the 6th century
AC and the movements of Slav populations afterwards, lead to a new shrinkage of Amfipolis which disintegrates as urban centre.
After the 9th century AC, building activity shifts to the estuary of the
Strymon river where an important city-harbour develops, known as Chrysoupolis. A small settlement, Marmarion, develops over the ruins of Amfipolis, on the north-west
fringes of the hills, to serve the needs of the travellers crossing the Strymon river at "Marmario Ford".
Archaeological excavations brought to light a remarkable archaeological site in the region of Amfipolis, open to
visitors.
Another significant part is the one in the area of the ancient bridge. The ANCIENT WOODEN BRIDGE is a unique discovery for the Greek area. Between the fortification and the
bank of the Strymon river, hundreds of stakes were located, which ensured some pass in the ancient years. Under these stakes, deeper, approximately 100 stakes were
uncovered, representing the infrastructure of the bridge of the Classical period. This bridge coincides with the one mentioned by Thucydides as seized by the Spartian
general Vrasidas in 424 BC. 
Various funerary monuments stand over the individual and family tombs, such as small sanctuaries, altars, figurines of
gods, portraits and busts of the deceased themselves, symbolic animals for their power and strength such as lions and other mythic forms. The cemetery of Amfipolis gave
to light a rich selection of funerary steles, adorned with scenes from the life of the deceased and their relations with their living relatives. The white Hellenistic house lecythus
consist a particular category of funerary gifts put in the tombs of the Classical period. The necropolis extended outside the enceinte of ancient Amfipolis walls. The burials,
either subterranean or not, present a great variety of types and styles. The monumental tombs of Macedonian type, covered by an artificial mound, belong to families with
prominent political or economic power. The tombs of eminent citizens are sometimes surmounted by important funerary monuments.
more likely by the Bulgarians in the year 1204 AC, when, under the
leadership of Ioannitsis, they plundered all the Macedonian cities. Many were the opinions related to the reason or the object of the erection of this funerary monument. The
most prevailing is that of the professor of archaeology, Oscar Bronir, stating that the Lion was built in honour of Laomedon, son of Larechus and close friend and admiral of
Alexander the Great. Roger supports the opinion according to which the monument was erected in honour of Nearchus, Alexander's the Great admiral. Finally,
it has been described by some as a symbolic monument, expressing the great power of the city, as is the case with the lions of the island of Delos.
Archaeological excavations also brought to light chambers, rock-cut, hut tombs as well as monolithic marble sarcophagus of the Roman period. The "Macedonian
tomb" type survives throughout the Roman times. Such is the one uncovered outside the eastern wall and found plundered. The funeral gifts, evidencing the sex as well
as the age and the social position, accompany the dead in their tomb. Weapons, spears, swords, shields, currycombs as well as tools, hooks, etc. were found in the burial
chambers of the men whereas jewellery, mirrors, combs, chests, etc. accompanied women and toys, dolls, animals, birds, rattles, etc., the children.
Early CHRISTIAN AMFIPOLIS was located at the Acropolis of the ancient city and surrounded by a fortification, the lower parts of which, to the south, date from
the 2nd century AC. This defensive enceinte has square towers and two gates to the north and south, the northern one being directed towards the ancient Gymnasium. In
the area of Christian Amfipolis, excavations of various periods, uncovered four Early Christian basilicas, one pericentre temple, parts of houses, one cistern, whereas the
excavations located a large stoa with ionic columns of the Roman times, in second use. The basilicas are adorned by mosaic floors and date from the 5th – 6th century AC.
In the same area, the building that housed the Bishop's seat of Amfipolis was also found. Its marble floor dates back to the 6th century AC.
