Century BC Mosaics Unearthed at Gymnasium Linked to Alexander the Great

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Archaeologists have uncovered colourful mosaic floors inside two ancient banqueting rooms at Mieza in northern Greece, shedding new light on the Royal Gymnasium closely associated with Alexander the Great and the Macedonian royal court.

The discoveries were made during ongoing excavations at ancient Mieza, near the modern town of Naousa in Imathia, Central Macedonia.

Dating to the mid 4th century BC during the reign of Philip II of Macedon, the vast complex is believed to be the Royal Gymnasium where Aristotle taught the young Alexander and other members of the Macedonian elite.

Mosaics reveal royal connections

This year’s excavations focused on the eastern section of the complex, where archaeologists identified teaching rooms with stone benches alongside the palaestra, the area used for wrestling and physical training.

Excavations also uncovered a large tripartite building covering more than 160 square metres.

At its centre was an entrance hall flanked by two andrones, or formal banqueting rooms.

Both rooms preserve colourful mosaic floors, while raised platforms for dining couches indicate that they were used for symposia.

These gatherings brought together elite men for dining, wine, discussion and entertainment.

Archaeologists estimate that each room could accommodate around ten dining couches and at least 20 people.

The mosaics are particularly significant because their style and construction techniques show similarities to mosaics discovered at the Palace of Aigai, the royal capital of ancient Macedonia.

The similarities provide further evidence of the close relationship between the Mieza Gymnasium and the Macedonian royal court.

The school of Alexander the Great

The archaeological complex is increasingly being recognised as one of the most important surviving monuments associated with education and physical training in ancient Macedonia.

Systematic excavations began in 2024 under the scientific direction of archaeologist Dr Angeliki Kottaridi.

The excavated area now extends across approximately 30 stremmas, or around three hectares.

Archaeologists have uncovered sections of the palaestra and stadium, teaching rooms, stoas and water supply infrastructure.

Among the most impressive features is a covered colonnade known as a xystos, which stretches for approximately 200 metres.

The site was once believed to have been the ancient city’s agora.

Its layout, however, is consistent with other ancient Greek gymnasia, supporting its identification as a major centre for the education and physical training of young Macedonians.

Preparing Alexander for leadership

Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni has described Mieza as a place where Alexander and his companions were prepared for leadership.

The young Macedonians who studied at the site would have combined intellectual education with physical training and participation in elite social gatherings.

The discoveries offer a rare glimpse into the environment in which Alexander was educated before embarking on the campaigns that would transform the ancient world.

With every excavation season, archaeologists are revealing more about the institutions, people and traditions that shaped the Macedonian kingdom during one of the most consequential periods of ancient Greek history.

The newly uncovered mosaics provide another important piece of that picture, while their similarities to the royal palace at Aigai point to the close connections between the Gymnasium at Mieza and the Macedonian court.

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