Exhibition of first peoples to be called 'Europeans' opens in central Athens

The story of the classical-era city of Europos, whose residents were the first peoples to be called Europeans in ancient inscriptions, is part of a new exhibition in the National Archaeological Museum that was inaugurated in Athens this past weekend, ANA reports.

Europos was part of the ancient Bottiaea district in Macedonia, 18 km from Pella and lying between the Axios River and Goumenissa. The exhibition, "The City of Europeans" as ancient records call them, consists of 5 sections that shed light on the lives of its citizens and 17 unique objects accompanied by photographs and audiovisual material. Two short films are screened, showing the ancient city and the archaeological site, and one on the life of Seleucus I Nicator, the most important of the successors of Alexander the Great and founder of the legendary Seleucid dynasty who was born in Europos.

According to the site of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Kilkis (https://www.efa-kilkis.gr/en/pois/evropaion-polis/), the oldest evidence of Europos lies in the center of the modern village, in the form of a prehistoric settlement. "During the Classical times, the city of Europos was one of the most developed towns of the area. For this reason, King Sitalces of Thrace tried to conquer it in the 5th century BC. The large pithoi, unearthed in houses, attest to its economic prosperity and to the abundance of agricultural products," the Ephorate says.

The area was also inhabited in Hellenistic times, with evidence of Macedonian aristocracy living there, and Roman and Early Christian times. Tombs of both eras have been found. According to the Ephorate, "Among the most impressive findings are the monumental vaulted underground single-chamber or double-chamber family tombs." Remains of buildings from the Late Roman times include a kiln with a combustion chamber, a stoking channel, and four pairs of cross-walls that supported the perforated floor.

Those attending the inauguration in Athens included Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, National Archaeological Museum General Director Anna Vassiliki Karapanagioti, and Head of the Kilkis Ephorate of Antiquities and Deputy Head of the Imathia Ephorate Georgia Stratouli, all of whom addressed the event. A recital of ancient lyre followed, courtesy of Seikilo Ancient World Music, with musicians Theodoros Koumartzis and Thanassis Kleopas, which was followed by a tour of the exhibition to the public provided by archaeologist and ephor Stratouli. 

The exhibition will run until March 16, 2025.

For more information, see https://www.namuseum.gr/en/.

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