Latest news with #PhilipII


Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Europe's hidden country next to Greece with nowhere near as many tourists
Bordered by Greece and Albania, this small country is rich in natural beauty and its long and layered history is reflected in its most prominent landmarks and its traditional cuisine Don't expect Greece, Portugal or Spain to get any less crowded this summer, even with the implementation of new tourist regulations and fees. If you really want to escape the tourist hordes without travelling too far afield, there's one destination that should be on your radar. North Macedonia is becoming an increasingly popular option for those looking to expand their European holiday horizons. Bordered by Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia and Albania, the country is landlocked but still offers plenty to explore. Because it doesn't get the same kind of travel coverage as its neighbours, North Macedonia is ideal for travellers looking for a peaceful escape. The country also boasts a rich history, with a blend of influences from the Mediterranean, Balkans, Greece, Italy, and Ottoman Empire. Though a small country, North Macedonia is abundant in beautiful natural scenery. About 80 percent of its land consists of mountains and lakes, making it ideal for active holidaymakers intent on hiking, cycling and kayaking. The country is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including bears, wild boars, wolves, foxes, deer, and over 200 species of butterfly. Combining your trip to North Macedonia with a visit to Lake Kerkini - one of the most important wetlands in Europe - promises a unique natural adventure, particularly for avid birdwatchers. History buffs will also have plenty to keep them occupied in North Macedonia. The country's distinctly diverse history means it is packed with amphitheatres, statues, monasteries and statues from the Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman eras. One must-visit landmark is Heraklea Linkestis - the site of a once-thriving settlement which is argued to have been founded by King Philip II of Macedon in the 4th century BC. Travellers can see remains of a theatre, baths and Jewish temple at this grand archeological site in Bitola. Other impressive and historically significant destinations include: the archaeological site of Stobi, the Neolithic settlement of Sumba Madzari in Skopje, and the Monastery of Saint Naum which overlooks Lake Ohrid near the Albanian border. Lake Ohrid and the surrounding areas can get busy during peak summer times though, so keep that in mind if you are prioritising a quiet getaway. That said, much of the country still manages to feel untouched by tourists. One of the most exciting traits of the country is its rich and multi-layered culinary legacy. The rich blend of histories in North Macedonia is reflected in its local dishes, which balance seasonal ingredients with tradition. The country's national dish is tavce gravce - a savoury baked bean dish. A local favourite travellers may be more familiar with is burek - a meat, cheese and spinach pastry common to the Middle East and Balkan countries. Tulumbi - a syrup-soaked fried dough - and pastrmalija (aka Macedonian pizza) are other local eats travellers should keep an eye out for. North Macedonia has many similarities to Greece and Turkey and is an incredible place for those who crave adventure that is off the beaten path and less visited by tourists.


UPI
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
Famous birthdays for May 21: Ronald Isley, Cody Johnson
May 21 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Gemini. They include: -- Artist Albrecht Durer in 1471 -- King Philip II of Spain in 1527 -- Writer Alexander Pope in 1688 -- Paleontologist Mary Anning in 1799 -- Musician Fats Waller in 1904 -- Actor Raymond Burr in 1917 -- Football Hall of Fame member Ara Parseghian in 1923 -- Actor Peggy Cass in 1924 -- Baseball Hall of Fame member Bobby Cox in 1941 (age 84) File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI -- Musician Ronald Isley in 1941 (age 84) -- Musician Bill Champlin (Chicago) in 1947 (age 78) -- Former U.S. Sen./comedian Al Franken in 1951 (age 74) -- Actor Mr. T in 1952 (age 73) -- Musician Stan Lynch (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) in 1955 (age 70) -- Actor Judge Reinhold in 1957 (age 68) File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI -- Actor/filmmaker Nick Cassavetes in 1959 (age 66) -- Convicted serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer in 1960 -- Actor Lisa Edelstein in 1966 (age 59) -- Musician the Notorious B.I.G. in 1972 -- TV personality/actor Noel Fielding in 1973 (age 52) -- Actor Fairuza Balk in 1974 (age 51) -- Musician Gotye in 1980 (age 45) -- Actor David Ajala in 1986 (age 39) -- Musician Cody Johnson in 1987 (age 38) File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI -- Actor Sarah Ramos in 1991 (age 34) -- Olympic diver Tom Daley in 1994 (age 31) -- NFL quarterback Josh Allen in 1996 (age 29) -- Actor Sang Heon Lee in 1996 (age 29) -- Actor Keith L. Williams in 2007 (age 18)


The Independent
15-05-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Surprising discovery at ancient Grecian burial ground
A tomb in Greece 's Vergina, previously thought to be the resting place of Alexander the Great 's father, Philip II, likely contains the remains of a different man and a young woman. Radiocarbon dating suggests the man and woman in the tomb lived between 388 and 356 BC, whereas Philip II died in 336 BC. The man's age at death (25-35) also contradicts Philip II's age at death (around 46). Six infants buried in the tomb between 150 BC and 130 AD are likely unrelated to the original occupants, suggesting it was reused during the Roman period, scientists say. Analysis suggests the man spent his childhood away from the Macedonian capital, while the woman likely lived in the Vergina/Pella area her entire life. Tomb thought to hold Alexander the Great's father actually found to contain remains of young woman and six infants


The Independent
15-05-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Tomb thought to hold Alexander the Great's father actually found to contain remains of young woman and six infants
A tomb in Greece that was thought to hold Alexander the Great 's father, Philip II, might instead contain the remains of a young woman and six infants, a study suggests. The study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, investigates the burial site which was discovered in 1977 at the site of Vergina, also called Aigai, in northern Greece. Located beneath a large burial mound, Tomb I is near several other tombs which are thought to hold members of Alexander the Great's family. Some archaeologists have suggested Tomb I held Philip II, while others believe he was buried in another location called Tomb II, which was not studied in this recent paper. 'Previous suggestions that the skeletal remains belong to Philip II, his wife Cleopatra and newborn child are not scientifically sustainable,' study authors wrote. Using radiocarbon dating the researchers were able to predict the man and woman lived between 388 and 356 BC. Researchers also analysed their bones and teeth which suggested the man was aged between 25 and 35 years, when he died. However, Philip II was assassinated in 336 BC at about 46. Study authors suggested this means the buried man in Tomb I is not Philip II. The tomb has no doorway and was sealed off, suggesting the man and woman in the tomb were buried together, according to researchers. However, radiocarbon dating also revealed there were at least six infants placed in the tomb between 150 B.C and 130 AD, which researchers say suggests the children were not related to the man and woman. During this time the Roman Empire controlled the region. Study authors explained the tomb was likely used as a burial place during the Roman period for disposing dead infants and animal remains. It's also believed the opening in the tomb were created by tomb robbers in 274 BC meaning the tombs were accessible during the Roman Empire. Analysis of skeletal and tooth remains helped to provide more background on who the man and woman were. Researchers said the man is likely to have spent his childhood away from the Macedonian capital of Pella, which is about 20 miles (32 kilometres) northeast of Vergina. Analysis of the woman's upper jawbone revealed she was aged between 18 and 25 years at the time of death. Further analysis of her tooth enamel and part of the skull revealed she was likely born and lived in the area of Pella/ Vergina in her childhood. Given the fact she was buried in Vergina, she most likely lived all her life in this area, researchers explained. Study authors said: 'The male occupant was most likely an important Macedonian royal of the Argead/Temenid house who died in the period 388-356 BC and was probably honoured or worshipped in the shrine above and entombed likely together with a female.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Famous tomb said to hold Alexander the Great's father actually contains younger man, a woman and 6 babies, study finds
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. An ancient tomb in Greece does not hold the remains of Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, as some scholars think it does, a new study suggests. Instead, it contains the remains of a younger man who died before Philip II did, archaeologists propose. The study, published in the July 2025 issue of the Journal of Archaeological Science, also revealed that the tomb is the burial place of a young woman and six infants. Prior to this study researchers knew of the existence of the man, woman and at least one infant in the tomb. Archaeologists have long scrutinized the tomb, which was discovered in 1977 at the site of Vergina (also called Aigai), in northern Greece. Known as "Tomb I," it is located beneath a large tumulus (burial mound) that has a shrine on top. It's near several other tombs, which are thought to hold other members of Alexander the Great's family. Some scholars have suggested that Tomb I held the burial of Philip II, although many other scholars believe that he was most likely buried in Tomb II, which was not studied in the newly published paper. Given that Tomb I has no doorway and was sealed off in ancient times, it's likely that the man and woman were buried together, at the same time, the researchers noted. Radiocarbon dating of their remains indicates that the man and woman lived sometime between 388 and 356 B.C., the researchers wrote in the paper. An analysis of their bones and teeth suggested that the man in the tomb was between 25 and 35 years old at the time of his death. Philip II, in comparison, was assassinated in 336 B.C., at about age 46. This suggests that the man buried in Tomb I is not Philip II, the researchers wrote in their paper. The researchers also used radiocarbon dating to find that at least six infants were placed in the tomb sometime between 150 B.C. and A.D. 130, at a time when the Roman Republic or Roman Empire controlled the region. The dates mean that the infants are likely not related to the man or woman, the researchers wrote. "There is evidence that disposing dead infants in old tombs, wells or underground voids is not an uncommon practice in the Roman period," study lead researcher Yannis Maniatis, a researcher at the laboratory of archaeometry, of the National Center of Scientific Research Demokritos in Greece, told Live Science in an email. The tomb was robbed in ancient times, and the people who lived in the area would have seen the openings left by robbers and decided to use them for the burial of infants, the researchers wrote. The team's finds leave a number of questions unanswered. Namely, the researchers wondered, who are the man and woman buried in the tomb? To investigate, the team did a strontium and stable carbon analysis of the skeletal and tooth remains, which can provide information on a person's diet and where they lived as a child. The man likely spent his childhood away from the Macedonian capital of Pella, which is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northeast of Vergina, the isotopic tests revealed. The woman — who died between the ages of 18 and 25, according to an anatomical analysis — likely spent her childhood living in or near Pella. Although their identities remain unknown, the tomb's opulence indicates that they were elite. "We assume that he must be a Macedon King who ruled and died decades before Philip II's assassination," Maniatis said. It's unclear which king that was, but candidates include Alexander II (reigned circa 370 to 368 B.C.) and Perdiccas III (reigned from 365 to 359 B.C.), the team wrote in the study. Both rulers had tumultuous reigns that dealt with war and infighting within the ancient kingdom of Macedon. Maniatis said the team is not certain where Philip II is buried. Many scholars have suggested that Tomb II at Vergina holds his cremated remains. Previous research done by other scholars has shown that Tomb II is a "two-chamber vaulted tomb found unlooted, with all the grave goods intact, containing the cremated remains of a male" who was around 44 years old when he died, Maniatis noted. However, he emphasized that Tomb II was not studied as part of this paper. RELATED STORIES —How did Alexander the Great die? —Did Alexander the Great have any children? —Why didn't Alexander the Great invade Rome? Antonis Bartsiokas, a professor emeritus of physical anthropology and paleoanthropology at the Democritus University of Thrace and one of the researchers who has suggested Philip II is buried in Tomb I, told Live Science that he and other supporters of this theory will reply in a journal article of their own and don't want to comment further at this time. "We are going to answer first to the journal," Bartsiokas told Live Science in an email.