Here, on the foothill of Pieria, between the villages of Vergina and Palatitsia, the Macedonians established their capital, Aeges, defining in this way the region of Imathia as the heart of the Macedonian Kingdom, that is the administrative, political, religious and geographical center of the state. The region, due to its natural wealth and beauty has attracted various people and races, at different periods of time, amongst which are the Phryges and the Macedonians, a Greek race related to the Dorians, who finally established the state of Imathia. Due to the excavations of Manolis Andronikos, the acropolis, the imposing palace with its beautiful mosaic floors, the ancient theatre where King Phillip II was assassinated in 336 BC, the sanctuary of the goddess Eucleia, who was worshipped here and many more buildings were brought to light. It is here, in the very same place, where the king’s son, Alexander the Great, was once proclaimed king and two years later went towards his great expedition to Asia. However, the truly impressive finds in Vergina are the large double-chambered tomb of Philip II with a facade resembling that of a Doric temple, a marble door, the triglyphs and metopes and an exceptional painting of a hunting scene on the facade. Inside the tomb were found intact the pure gold larnax with the ashes of the deceased, a golden wreath, weapons, the gold and ivory shield, the iron cuirass and many other objects. In the antechamber of the tomb, is possibly buried one of the wives of Philip II, the ashes of which were also resting in a pure gold larnax, as well as a golden diadem, probably one of the most beautiful pieces of jewellery in the ancient world, a golden wreath of myrtle leaves and many other fine objects. In a short distance from the tomb of Philippe II, lies a similar tomb, known as the “tomb of the prince” with painted decorations, very well preserved. The tomb is ascribed to Alexander IV, son of Alexander the Great and Roxanne. There is one more cist tomb in the group of tumuli which was found plundered, yet the “Abduction of Persephone”, an excellent large mural still extant, depicting her abduction by Pluto, the god of the underworld. Finally, in the same area more Macedonian tombs of impressive structure were excavated, although plundered.