File:Agios Athanasios, Ancient Macedonian Tomb - XV (36448678174).jpg

At the right edge of the frieze the atmosphere is calmer, even though the eight men depicted there are in military attire and fully armed. Leaning relaxed on their spears and shiny shields, they observe events, conversing in whispers. It is precisely the elements of their dress that transform this section of the frieze into a “prating symbol” (type parlant) of the locality in which the scene is set since, together with the well-known weaponry of Greek forces, the young men are clad in the traditional Macedonian uniform: leather boots (krepides), cloaks (chlamydes) fastened by a fibula on the right shoulder, and the Macedonian brimmed hat (kausia) that was proudly sported by Alexander the Great himself and his generals into the depths of Asia. They also wear brilliant helmets with high crests and fluttering white plumes, and the famous Macedonian shields, with the characteristic starburst emblem, complete the wonderful composition. It is patently clear that this impressive tomb was the final resting place of a high-ranking Macedonian military officer, as indicated by the remains of the iron weaponry that had escaped looters and lay on the floor of the burial chamber.

Source: Maria Tsimbidou-Avloniti, The Macedonian Tomb at Aghios Athanasios, Thessaloniki”

Macedonian Tomb 325 – 300 BC