The Macedonian Tomb III, dated to the last quarter of the 4th century BC, is located in a large mound in the south-eastern part of the city of Agios Athanasios. It is a typical Macedonian single-chamber tomb with a vaulted ceiling and a well-preserved monumental facade, which bears witness to the Macedonian belief in afterlife. The tomb, which is of the Doric order, has a typical Ionic continuous frieze, which represents the main decoration of the facade. The frieze itself is divided into three parts: in the centre is the scene of the symposium, approached from the left by a guest on horseback and his attendants, and from the right by eight soldiers dressed in Macedonian attire. Above the frieze is a tympanum with a sun in the centre, flanked by griffins. To the side of the door stand two almost life-size guards. Above them two hanging circular shield are represented. Although the tomb was mostly looted in antiquity, it is assumed, on the basis of the surviving grave goods and paintings, to have belonged either to a member of the elite companion cavalry or to the king himself; however, the deceased was definitely close to the royal court.
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