Battlefield Chaironeia Page 2

A colossal marble lion , originally part of the funeral monument to the fallen Thebans, sits on the road near the modern town of Chaironeia (Kapraina), which was a monument to the Thebans (some say the Macedonians) who fell in this important battle). It was discovered in 1818 by a party of English travelers, and subsequently, because it sounded hollow, was smashed by a military leader during the Greek War of Independence (Odysseus Andoutso) , who believed that it contained treasure. It was later reassembled by the Greek Archaeological Society and re-erected it in 1902 near the battle site.

There is a small museum next to the site which houses artifacts from both tombs (bones, weapons and vases and terracottas) and Mycenaean remains from Orchomenos, including a fresco from the palace. There is also Neolithic and Proto-Geometric ware from Chaironeia; Neolithic, Early Helladic and Middle Helladic vessels from Elatieia; black figure vases from Abai; finds from Exarkhos and Ayia Marina.

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