Dating the foundation of Apamea

It has taken much time and in-depth study, but in the end, Prof. Marek T. Olszewski from the University of Warsaw has reached the conclusion that Apamea was founded in 320 BC by Antipater and his son Cassander.

The theory had been suggested earlier (see: New theory about the foundation of Apamea) upon examination of the photographs of sections of a large mosaic that was discovered and looted in 2011 (see: The unique mosaic from Apamea). As the mosaics disappeared through illegal channels, the scholars only had these pictures taken shortly after the artwork had been unearthed to go by.

[Credit: Anonymous photographer, image modified and sharpened by D. Zielinska]

It had been established that the mosaics were probably made in de 4^th century AD but the presence of Antipater and Cassander was still raising questions. Until now, archaeologists thought that Apamea had been founded around 330 BC by Alexander the Great as Pella. A closer examination led them to believe that Pella was a Macedonian fortress founded after Alexander died in 320 BC; or that it was built by Antigonus Monophthalmus between 307 and 304 BC.

The latest analysis, however, is leading to a different conclusion. The mosaics do indeed show the foundation of the city (apparently on top of the fortress of Pella) in 320 BC by Antipater, who was still Regent of Alexander’s Empire after his death, and Cassander, who was commanding the Macedonian cavalry.

Around 300 BC, Seleucos I Nicator took the city calling it Apamea, as he named it after his wife, Apame. As an exception, she is being shown in the picture as well (a rare and unique event) sitting behind the table on which gold and silver coins are piled up to be used for the (re)construction of the new city (see: More illegal mosaics from Apamea).

Based on their latest analysis, researchers now agree that the discovery of these mosaics is very important for the history of the Middle East in Hellenistic times. They also believe that these pictures are inspired by paintings and texts from that era that have not reached us.

Apamea remained a powerful military center under the Seleucids and beyond when it became part of the Roman Empire. In the 4^th century AD, when these mosaics were created, the city was promoted to the capital of the Roman province of Syria Secunda. As such, it survived till the Persians destroyed it in the 7^th century AD. Apamea was eventually rebuilt to be finally abandoned after the severe earthquake of 1152.

It is most unfortunate that so much of the archaeological site of Apamea has been destroyed by IS and looters since my visit in 2009, hardly two years before the outbreak of the civil war in Syria. It will take more time still before law and order are restored in that part of the world.