In a startling archaeological discovery, scientists now believe that a mysterious purple tunic found in an ancient Greek tomb in Vergina, northern Greece, may have belonged to Alexander the Great. Unearthed nearly five decades ago, the garment—known as the “mesoleucon sarapis”—was initially discovered in 1977 in one of three royal tombs but had yet to be definitively linked to the legendary Macedonian king.
A legacy passed down through bloodlines
Interestingly, this tunic was not found in Alexander’s own tomb but rather in that of his half-brother, Philip III of Macedon, suggesting it may have been inherited after Alexander died in 323 BC. Scholars have long debated the origins of artefacts within these ancient burial sites, but new research led by Professor Antonios Bartsiokas, an anthropology expert from the Democritus University of Thrace, offers compelling evidence connecting the tunic to Alexander.
“The physical description exactly fits the description in the ancient source of the sacred Persian mesopleuron seraphic,” Bartsiokas noted. He described the tunic as “the most precious object in antiquity,” belonging to both Pharaoh and King Alexander the Great, further linking its significance to the Macedonian ruler.
A glimpse into the life of a legendary conqueror
Alexander the Great, who reigned as King of Macedon from 336 to 323 BC, is celebrated as one of history’s most successful military commanders, having conquered vast regions across three continents by the time of his death at age 32. Though originally buried in Egypt, Alexander’s remains were later moved to protect them from potential looting, and his final resting place remains unknown.
The tunic, found in a fragmentary state, was dyed with a purple hue—indicative of its association with elite status in ancient societies. Despite its significance, over the years, some scholars had mistakenly speculated that the fragment was part of a mask rather than a garment.
Other intriguing finds
Beyond the tunic, Tomb II at Vergina contained a trove of other precious items, including a scepter, oak wreath, and diadem. Bartsiokas argues that if the tomb indeed belonged to Philip III, he likely inherited these treasures after Alexander’s passing in Babylon.
Tombs I and III in the same burial complex held other historical figures: Tomb I contained the remains of Philip II’s wife, Cleopatra, and their newborn child, while Tomb III was identified as the resting place of Alexander IV, the youngest son of Alexander the Great. This latest analysis, grounded in historical research and meticulous artefact study, adds a new dimension to the legacy of Alexander the Great and the royal lineage of ancient Macedon, reigniting intrigue around these ancient treasures and their rightful owners.