Pella

Pella (Greek: Πέλλα) was the capital of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon from the 4th century BC up until the Roman conquest in 168 BC. Today, it is located just 1 km outside the modern town of Pella in Central Macedonia, Greece.

The city was founded around the beginning of the 4th century BC by Archelaus I to replace Aigai as the capital, though Aigai remained the burial place for Macedonian kings. Two very important leaders were born in Pella: Philip II in 382 BC and his son, Alexander the Great, in 356 BC. Under leaders like Cassander and Antigonus II, Pella grew to become the largest and wealthiest city in Macedonia.

However, in 168 BC during the Third Macedonian War, the Romans sacked Pella, which led to its decline. After that, the nearby city of Thessalonica became more important than Pella.

Etymology

The name Pella likely comes from the ancient Greek word πέλλα, meaning "stone." This word appears in other place names in Greece, such as Pellene. Scholars believe it comes from an ancient root meaning "stone" that is found in many languages. The word may have been used by ancient people in the area of Macedonia, and it could have origins that predate Greek itself.

History

Pella was an important city in the ancient kingdom of Macedon. It was probably founded in the 4th century BC by Archelaus I as the new capital, replacing Aigai. Famous people born in Pella include Philip II in 382 BC and his son, Alexander the Great, in 356 BC. The city grew to become the largest and richest in Macedonia, especially under rulers like Cassander and Antigonus II.

Later, in 168 BC, the Romans attacked and sacked Pella during the Third Macedonian War. Although the city declined after this, it remained important for a time as part of the Roman province of Macedonia. An earthquake damaged Pella around 90 BC, but it was rebuilt. Over the centuries, Pella's importance lessened, and by the Byzantine period, it was a small fortified village. Today, archaeological excavations have uncovered many interesting structures and artifacts from its past.

Archaeology

The site of Pella has been explored since the 19th century by many travelers and historians. The first excavation began in 1914–15, and modern systematic exploration started in 1953, uncovering many parts of this ancient city.

In February 2006, a farmer found the largest tomb ever discovered in Greece. This tomb, dating to the 2nd or 3rd century BC, contains inscriptions, painted sculptures, and surviving wall paintings. Since 2000, archaeologists have uncovered about 1,000 tombs, with many more believed to still be hidden. Important finds include graves with rich goods like ceramics and precious metals, and a warrior’s tomb from the 6th century BC containing a bronze helmet with a gold mouthplate, weapons, and jewelry. Much of the Palace of Pella has been excavated since 2011, with parts restored starting in 2017. Many artifacts discovered at Pella are displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Pella.

The city was designed on a grid plan by Hippodamus, with streets crossing at right angles to form a neat layout of rectangular blocks. The central area featured an impressive public space called the agora, surrounded by covered walkways known as stoas. Pella was one of the first cities to have a piped water system and waste disposal. The city included temples, beautiful wall paintings that looked like three-dimensional scenes, and famous pebble-mosaic floors showing scenes from Greek stories and art.

The Palace of Pella sits on a hill north of the city and was a large and important building used for both royal living and government work. It included rooms, courtyards, and special entrances, showing its grand and functional design.

Ancient Macedonian in Pella curse tablet

In 1986, a special find called the Pella curse tablet was discovered in Pella. This tablet is made of lead and has a curse written in a special form of ancient Greek known as Doric Greek. The writing on the tablet dates back to around 375–350 BC.

This discovery is important because it shows that people in Macedonia spoke a form of Doric Greek, which is part of the larger group of North-Western Greek languages. The curse tablet is one of only four texts that help experts understand the ancient language spoken in this area.