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Observations on the Geometry of the Monument at the Kasta Tumulus at Amphipolis

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Abstract

The excellent condition and clear architectural lines of the monument found eight years ago at the Kasta tumulus, at Amphipolis, offers a first-class opportunity to better understand the architecture of Macedonian tombs. This study proposes that the architectural design of the monument at the Kasta tumulus follows a specific geometry based on the ad-quadratum and octature principles. The same geometric principles supposedly determine the design of other Macedonian tombs as well. At the same time, similarities between the conceptual designs proposed in this study and later periods, suggest a continuity in architectural design practices. The findings of this work contribute to better understand the influence of conceptual designs on funerary monumental architecture during the Hellenistic era and subsequent periods.

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Data availability

All relevant data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article and its supplementary information files. The raw data, as well as any additional materials and datasets generated during the course of this research, are available upon reasonable request from the corresponding author.

Notes

  1. Conceptual design based on geometry produced by successive circles and squares has been linked to the Hellenistic monument of Xanthos (Heinz 2016). Kotaridi (2020) also recognized a sequence of inscribed and circumscribed canonical shapes—squares and dodecagonal concentric circles—to define the architectural design of the royal palace at Aigae.

  2. For a more complete description of the monument and the history of excavations, see Annex A.

  3. When value 415.14 mm is divided by \(\sqrt{2}\) produces the value of 293.55 mm. Interestingly, this value closely approximates the value of the foot suggested by Zambas (2019) and by Korres (1994) for the construction of the Macedonian tombs and the Parthenon in Athens respectively (295.5 mm and 294 mm; deviations 0.66% and 0.15% from 293.55 mm). The above ad-quadratum based relation between the foot proposed by other scholars and the one used in this study, indicates the use of the square and compass during the design and building process. Roldán-Medina (2012) used the same principle to justify the modulation size in a variety of important historical buildings (e.g., from the Parthenon, Athens to Castel del Monte on Andria, Apulia and the Study of a Central Church by Leonardo da Vinci and Bramante’s floor plans for St. Peter’s in Rome).

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Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank the reviewers for outlining some basic but significant geometric analogies for the interpretation of the Kasta Monument’s design. The author would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Lefantzis, the lead architect in the excavation, and the Greek Ministry of Culture for their invaluable contribution in providing public access to a wealth of detailed high-resolution drawings of the Kasta Monument.

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  1. Independent Researcher, Thessaloníki, Greece

    Demetrius Savvides

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Correspondence to Demetrius Savvides.

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Savvides, D. Observations on the Geometry of the Monument at the Kasta Tumulus at Amphipolis. Nexus Netw J 25, 607–632 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00004-023-00682-8

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