The Royal Tombs at Vergina Macedonia, Greece, Revisited A Forensic Review

Three Royal Tombs were discovered at Vergina, Greece in 1977. In Tomb II, identified as the one of king Phillip, II father of Alexander the Great, and his wife Cleopatra, a ceremonial suit of armors including a pair of gilded greaves of unequal size, consistent with the documented lameness of Phillip II was found. A number of archaeologists and historians disagreed on the identification of the occupants in favor of Phillip III Arrhidaios and Eurydice the other royal couple likely to have been buried in the royal tombs at Vergina. Since Arrhidaios was unwarlike and intellectually weak they suggested that the ceremonial armor, was Alexander the Great's, disregarding the unequal size of the gilded greaves. An argument between scientists whether the bones found were cremated with flesh around them or degreased, was also published. In a recent published paper examination of bones of a male found in Tomb I revealed a left knee ankylosis and a penetrating lance-related injury, regarded as proof that Tomb I was that of Phillip II. The authors support the view that the armor in Tomb II belonged to Alexander; no mention is made of the gilded greaves. There were no signs of inflammation or osteomyelitis found. One cannot easily explain how such a wound could not have damaged a main artery (fatal by that time) and accept that a year later the lesion healed and Phillip (if he was the wounded one) could have fought again at the battle of Chaeronea. The unequal size of the greaves has also taken into account and the armor being that of Alexander's should be rejected.