New finds at the Gymnasium of ancient Mieza, where Alexander the Great was taught by Aristotle – The stoas, the stadium and the styluses

The results of the excavation research around the Royal Gymnasium of ancient Mieza add new evidence to one of the most emblematic historical connections of the Macedonian land, the place where Alexander the Great and the royal pages were educated under the guidance of Aristotle.

The new archaeological data were presented last Saturday as part of the symposium entitled «From Mieza to the Oecumene. Excavating the royal gymnasium, discovering the contribution of the Macedonians to Greek education».

At the center were the conclusions of the two-year excavation activity that has been underway since 2024 across an area of about 30 acres and is gradually revealing the true scale, the architectural character and the functions of an organized gymnasium complex from the era of Philip II.

The works brought to light important sections of the complex, following the removal of large quantities of fill and rubble. Uncovered were walls, stoas, the palaestra, the stadium, teaching spaces and networks of water conduits, composing an ever-clearer picture of how the site functioned. At the same time, high-quality architectural members were identified, such as capitals and columns of the Ionic order, as well as amphorae connected with the storage of oil for the needs of the palaestra.

A special place among the finds is held by the discovery of the xystos, that is, a covered stoa about 200 meters long, which was directly connected with physical exercise and the education of the young. The extent of the building, the quality of construction and the coexistence of spaces for athletics and teaching reinforce the picture of a complex with a central role in the Macedonian educational tradition.

Important information about the daily life of those who used the space also emerges from the movable finds of the excavation: broken ceramic vessels, coins, writing styluses and fragments of sculptures illuminate aspects of the educational and athletic activity that developed within the complex.

The gymnasium that reintroduces Macedonian education

The results were presented in detail by the head of the excavations and Honorary Ephor of Antiquities of Imathia, Dr Angeliki Kottaridi, in her keynote address entitled «From myth to historical reality: The discovery of the royal gymnasium of Mieza. The data, the excavation, the new finds and the prospects of the research». She maintained that the large building of Mieza is identified with the Royal Gymnasium and noted that its morphological characteristics point to the early Macedonian gymnasia. Its dating to the years of Philip II, its extent and its architectural organization are considered decisive elements for the further documentation of its identity and its function.

The historical trajectory of the monument is also of particular interest. According to the excavation data that were presented, as relayed by the Athens News Agency, the complex appears to have been violently destroyed by the Romans after the definitive subjugation of Macedonia, during the 2nd century BC, most probably as part of the systematic weakening of symbols of Macedonian power and collective memory.

At the same time, the prospect of the future restoration and promotion of the site was raised, so that the Royal Gymnasium may become open to visitors and be showcased as a place of historical, educational and cultural significance.

Creation of an Aristotelian Archaeological Center in Naousa is being planned

After the keynote presentation, the mayor of the Heroic City of Naousa, Nikos Koutsogiannis, developed his address on the topic «Ancient Mieza and modern Naousa: a fruitful coexistence», characterizing Mieza as a site of global significance and emphasizing that showcasing its archaeological wealth is a steady priority for the Municipality.

He also announced the continuation of efforts to secure funding both for the excavation research and for the future protection and restoration of the monument, while he made known the plan to create an Aristotelian Archaeological Center in Naousa, which will house finds and function as a point of reference for the history and cultural identity of the region.

As Mr. Koutsogiannis noted, Mieza is not only one of the most important archaeological sites of Macedonia, but probably also the place where an educational model was shaped that deeply influenced the Hellenistic world and the spread of Greek education.

The exploration of the archaeological sites of Aigai and Mieza, through geophysical methods, over the period 1984-2026, was addressed in his talk by the emeritus professor of the Laboratory of Applied Geophysics of AUTH, Grigoris Tsokas, presenting the conclusions of four decades of research and highlighting the contribution of modern technologies to the detection, mapping and interpretation of archaeological remains. For his part, the scientific director of the Museum of Cycladic Art and Professor of Ancient Numismatics at Radboud University, Panagiotis Iossif, presented the paper «Training the Oecumene: gymnasia of the Hellenistic East», highlighting the way in which the institution of the gymnasium spread throughout the Hellenistic world and functioned as a vehicle of education, physical training and the transmission of Greek education.

The symposium was co-organized by the Municipality of the Heroic City of Naousa and the Association of Friends of the Polycentric Museum of Aigai and of the Network, with the participation of scientists and representatives of the archaeological and academic community, while it was opened with a greeting by the deputy Head of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Imathia, Dr Georgia Stratouli.