Archaeologists may have made the greatest discovery in history.
A recent discovery in Tomb II at Vergina has potentially revealed the sacred tunic of Alexander the Great.
The discovery could change historical understanding of the artifacts associated with the King of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia. A team of archaeologists, led by Antonios Bartziokas, emeritus professor at the Democritus University of Thrace (whose research on the royal tombs of Vergina was published in the Journal of Archaeological Science), has reportedly identified a purple cotton fabric known as a sarapis. This garment, worn by Persian kings, was adopted by Alexander the Great after his victory over Darius III of Persia.
The material was discovered in the golden ossuary in Tomb II, along with the remains of a man and the gold wreath of Vergina, adorned with myrtle leaves and flowers from the Hellenistic period (300–30 BCE), which is believed to have belonged to Meda of Odessa, the princess and fifth wife of Philip II of Macedonia.
After extensive chemical, physiological, and microscopic analyses, the researchers concluded that the fabric is made of cotton, a rare material for the time, dyed with royal purple.
The Tunic's Origins
Among the fabric’s layers, the mineral huntite was found, a shiny, white mineral used in ancient Persia. This further supports the belief that the garment originated from the East.
This discovery has far-reaching implications, as it suggests that many of the objects found in Tomb II may indeed belong to Alexander the Great, not King Philip of Macedonia, as previously believed.
Research suggests that Tomb II, located in the Royal Tombs of Vergina, may not belong to Philip II, but to his half-brother, Philip III Arrhidaeus, who inherited many of Alexander’s symbols of power after his death.
Among the items unearthed from the tomb were a gold diadem, a scepter, and a golden myrtle wreath. All of these artifacts are referenced in historical sources as royal insignia of Alexander the Great. However, the discovery of the sarapis is of exceptional importance, as it is a garment of great symbolic weight in Persian courts.
The sarapis was a purple tunic with a white stripe on the hem, worn exclusively by Persian kings. The fact that Alexander the Great adopted this symbol of Persian authority marked his dominance over the vast Persian Empire.
Extensive studies were conducted on the fabric found. The team applied advanced techniques, such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, to identify the fabric's components.
The lab results confirmed the presence of cotton, royal purple dye, and huntite, a rare material in Greece, safely indicating Persian influence.
The application of huntite, valued for its ability to create a brilliant white color, strengthens the theory that the sarapis found in Tomb II was the one Alexander the Great wore during official ceremonies.
The production of this type of fabric was extremely expensive, as the purple dye came from the murex (a type of sea snail). Dyeing even a small piece of fabric required vast quantities of these gastropods.
A Long-Standing Debate
The identity of the individuals buried in the Royal Tombs of Vergina has been a timeless point of contention for archaeologists. Tomb II has traditionally been attributed to Philip II. However, this recent discovery provides more evidence that suggests the tomb may have belonged to Philip III Arrhidaeus.
Philip III Arrhidaeus was Alexander’s half-brother and is thought to have inherited the throne—at least nominally—after Alexander's death, although he held little actual power.
The discovery of Alexander's sarapis in Tomb II of Vergina is further supported by the depictions on the frieze of the tomb.
Additional Evidence from Depictions and Historical Sources
In one of the hunting scenes depicted, one of the hunters, believed to be Alexander the Great, wears a purple tunic with white stripes, similar to the description of the sarapis found in historical sources.
This visual representation strengthens the connection between the objects discovered and Alexander the Great.
The discovery of Alexander the Great's sacred tunic is not merely another piece in the archaeological puzzle of Vergina. It provides new insights into Persian influence on the Kingdom of Macedon and sheds light on Alexander’s roles as Pharaoh of Egypt, King of Greece, and Emperor of Persia.
The identification of the garment may serve as a springboard for further studies on the role of royal attire in both Hellenistic and Persian culture, as well as in the burial customs of the time.
