Tomb of Judgement

The Tomb of Judgement, also called the Great Tomb of Lefkadia, is a Hellenistic Macedonian tomb in Mieza (modern Lefkadia, near Naousa, Imathia), dating to the early 3rd century BC. It is known for its large painted facade.

The tomb has two vaulted chambers (antechamber and burial chamber) behind a monumental facade, originally covered by a low earthen mound.

Facade Measuring 8.68 × 8.6 m, the facade had a pediment (mostly lost) above an upper story with Ionic columns and relief friezes of battles, centaurs, and floral motifs. The lower story has four Doric columns and painted figures: a warrior (likely the deceased), Hermes guiding him to the underworld, and Aeacus and Rhadamanthys, judges of the dead. These images gave the tomb its name.

The antechamber is unusually tall (7.7 m), built to match the facade’s scale, while the smaller burial chamber has painted stucco imitating architectural decoration. Finds included a wooden couch with ivory fittings.

Discovered in 1954 during roadworks, it was excavated by Photis Petsas (1954–64) and later re-examined and restored by Liana Stefani (1998). Finds are in the Archaeological Museum of Veroia, and the tomb is protected by a modern shelter.

Address
Imathia, Greece

Established
3rd century BCE