Alexander the Great called him Daddy!

Philip II of Macedonia (359-336 BC)

Ellen Carpenter

Milligan Trip May, 2024

(August, 2025). Getting ready for my next adventure, I uncovered two blog posts from my trip with Milligan last year. (Where have they been hiding?)

My goal before beginning my next trip is to complete this part of my story before going ahead for more travels.

PHILLIP II.

Phillip II was the ruler of the ancient kingdom of Macedonia from 359 BC to 336 BC at the time of his assassination. He was the father of Alexander the Great!

Alexander was 20 at the time and succeeded his father. Alexander and his mother, buried Phillip in a royal tomb area of what is now in the area of Vergina, Greece. This area was covered in a tumulus (a burial mound) that was left undisturbed until 1977.

When opened and studied by archeologists and scientists, the site had not been disturbed in over 2000 years and the beautiful artifacts are now available for all to view. It was absolutely unbelievable.

Diagram of tumulus of Philip II

Above is the diagram of the site after it was excavated. Tomb II is Phillips’s tomb. All the treasures included here were found in Tomb II undisturbed.

This tumulus is the largest in Greece and is located at an ancient burial site. Inside the tumulus the archeologists found evidence from earlier burials as ancient tombstones were used as fill for the mound.

Opening into the Tumulus of Phillip II.
Ivory image of Phillip II, face and hands.
Ivory inlay from wooden bench. Alexander and Philip II. The upper image is of Alexander the Great. In the lower left, is his father Phillliip II

Golden casket or Larnax and crown of Philip II containing the bones of Phillip II.

Eleven pounds of gold! Philip II remains

Items used in war: Golden breast plate and archery case.

Silver banquet vesssels used by Phillip and included in the tomb.

Wall Paintings depicting the Ancient beliefs of the Greeks

Tomb II Entrance

Greek pottery from the site in perfect condition!

One of four crowns included in the tomb.

I would highly recommend this as a stop for anyone visiting Greece.

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carpentres

I am the retired Department Chair of Family & Child Studies at Appalachian State University. I retired in 2017 after 23 years at the University.

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