Splendid large-scale paintings found in Macedonian tombs have not only revealed an unknown side of ancient Greek art but could shed light on the political riddles of their time. Archaeologists say the pictures have not only enriched their scant first-hand knowledge of ancient Greek painting but could reveal some of Alexanders political power games. She said it is possible that Alexander, who commissioned the painting after his fathers death, might have been sending a message to the crowds attending the burial that he was now the central and prime political figure. The Macedonian warrior king who campaigned as far east as India, succeeded his father Philip after he was stabbed to death at the peak of his glory while attending a procession. While the location of Alexanders grave remains a great archaeological mystery, the discovery of Philips tomb by Greek archaeologist Manolis Andronikos is among the richest finds of the century.
Evidence is far from conclusive.
But scientists say they can reconstruct Philips skull from bone fragments, complete with an eyesocket damaged from a battle wound. The artefacts point to the richest royal Macedonian burial found to date, while the fact the tomb was hastily shut with unfinished interior walls suggests Alexander must have wanted the issue of Philips death closed quickly so he could be on the march. The large painting adorning its facade was done on a leather and wood canvas and has since crumbled to dust but an interior frieze of a chariot race survives intact. Of much greater artistic value is a painting covering three out of four interior walls of a small, raided grave next to Philips, said Vergina curator Angeliki Kottaridou, who was a student of the late Andronikos. It shows the god Pluto, ruler of the underworld, sweeping up to his horse-drawn chariot young Persephone as she unsuspectingly picks field flowers.