Dion, the sacred city of the Macedonians and Alexander the Great
On the slopes of Olympus, only 5 km from the beaches of Pieria, Ancient Dion, and the Holy City of Macedonia was found under a covering of undergrowth and water. This city had been a thriving center of civilization from the time of its foundation for a period of 1,000 years from the 5th c, BC to the 5th c, AD.
We learn from Ancient Greek writers that the Macedonians regularly gathered in Dion to worship the Gods of Olympus, and to make sacrificial offerings, as can be seen from the objects found on the site. It was here that King Archelaos organized athletic competitions and theatrical events, and Philip the Second celebrated his victories at Dion, as did Alexander. It was here that Alexander gathered together his troops to prepare for his journeys of conquest, worshipping Zeus, King of the Gods of Olympus. In the temple of the Gods of Olympus was a magnificent bronze statue created Lissippos, which depicted the 25 horsemen who died at the Battle of Granikos.
