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Vergina
Prefecture of Imathias
It is a village, 12 km to the SE of Veria. It is world - famous due to the findings of the excavations directed by professor Manolis Andronicos. In the east of the modern village there is an ancient town identified with Aeges ges, the first capital of the Macedonian Kingdom. Aeges is built on the foot of Pieria. It can control the whole Imathian plain. According to tradition, the mythical king Karanos led Macedonians to this place, following a goat (aega). This aega give its name to the settlement. It is the symbol on the coins of the town. The excavations in the graveyard of Aeges certify the existence of a rich settlement with numerous population, dating back to the Early Era of Iron (1100 B.C.)
Downwards, near the river, there is a prehistorical settlement whose findings date back to the Age of Copper and the Post Neolithic Era.
Aeges were the capital of the Macedonian Kingdom till 400 B.C. when Archelaus transferred the seat in Pella. However, Aeges continued to be the holy place, the birthplace of the royal dynasty, the place with the sanctums and the kings tombs. The second half of the 4th century B.C. is the period of flourischich and building activity. The Palace and the Theatre are built, the place of Efkleas temple is developed. During the reign of Antigonos Gonatos Cinthe beginning of the 3rd cent. ), Pyrgos conquers Aeges keeping it down for six months.
According to the sources, the galatian mercenaries destroyed the graveyard and plundered the treasures of the kings tombs. In the 2nd cent. B.C. the town is destroyed by fire. This might be related with the Romans occupation (168 B.C.). Nevertheless, the houses were rebuilt (much poorer) and the town seemed to keep something of its old beauty. After the 1st cent. A.D, there is a shrink of the population which Moves to the northeast. In the Byzantine times it here is a village of minor importance in the area called Palatitsia. In 1922, when the refugees came, they created the modern village, which is now called, Vergina, after a mythical gueen.
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