MUSÉE ARCHÉOLOGIQUE D'AMPHIPOLIS

This small museum (Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Αμφιπόλεως/Archaiologiko Mousio Amfipoleos) houses artifacts from the ancient city and nearby tombs: hellenistic and Roman statues, ceramics and bas-reliefs, Macedonian gold jewelry, coins bearing the profile of Alexander the Great, Byzantine capitals... One of the two centerpieces is the silver larnax (bone chest) and gold mortuary crown of the Spartan general Brasidas. He died defending Amphipolis in 422 BC and was buried on the spot by his men after defeating the Athenian troops. The second major object is a fine female face in marble with a slightly damaged nose, dating from around 320 BC. The softness of the features doesn't indicate it, but it's the head of a sphinx, the winged-bodied monster of Greek mythology. It was discovered in 2014 at the entrance to the prestigious tomb of Kasta. This foreshadows the wonders that await visitors when the tomb is opened, in particular a magnificent mosaic of the Abduction of Persephone. In the meantime, we'll have to "make do" here with two mosaics uncovered in the archaeological site's "Roman house". On the left, a portrait of Amymoné (ΑμyμωΝΗ) in the company of Poseidon: the Danaid has just been saved by the god of the Sea and is about to unite with him. On the right, scene of the Abduction of Hylas (ΥΛΑϹ) by the nymphs: Heracles' young lover is captured for his beauty while taking part in the Argonauts' expedition.