Where was the young Alexander the Great educated before he conquered Greece and reached Central Asia? Where did he learn the art of war and get acquainted with the principles of Greek philosophy and education? Probably not at the Nymphaeum, east of Naoussa, where the school of Aristotle is believed to have been located, but instead at the Royal Gymnasium of ancient Mieza: so argues the curator of Imathian antiquities, Angeliki Kottaridis, based on existing excavation finds and new research, which he is still revising archaeological and historical data.

“When the archaeologist Fotis Petsas found Nymphaeum in the 1960s, he thought that this was the place where, according to Plutarch, Alexander the Great studied with Aristotle,” says Ms. Kottarides, and continues: the needs of a gymnasium where there are so many Macedonian “boys “were to be trained in war and to study philosophy, science and other arts.”

According to the research of Angelika Kottaridis, the area in ancient Mieza that has been identified with the Agora of the city is none other than the Royal High School founded by Philip II. In favor of the interrogation of the “Agora” is the fact that in 2015 several tombs were discovered next to it, which in the 4th century. century were built outside the city. In addition, the 30-acre building complex that the archaeologist identifies as the gymnasium has a floor plan strongly reminiscent of other gymnasiums in the Hellenistic world.

After all, when the 16-year-old Alexander graduated from the School of Aristotle, he went on a campaign against the Virgins, and then led the Macedonian cavalry in the battle of Chaeronea. He knew how to fight, ride, command. “It is incredible that Philip,” explains Ms. Kottaridis, who will present her finds on Sunday at the Goat Museum, “placed the “baby” Alexander at the head of the cavalry in Chaeronea. So when we think of Aristotle’s school, we should not just imagine Alexander and his teacher walking and talking in the shadows. Because we know from history that the future ruler learned to command and fight at the same time.”