Found 80 ѕkeletonѕ of аncient men wіth wrіsts tіed аbove theіr heаds maybe thoѕe of Greek rebelѕ who аttempted а сoup іn the ѕeventh сentury BC.

In the bustling region of southern Athens, where modernity and antiquity intertwine, a chilling discovery was unearthed beneath the soil of the Faliron Delta. Builders preparing the ground for the new Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) stumbled upon two mass graves containing the skeletal remains of 80 young men. The bodies, dating back to the 7th century BC, lay side by side in haunting symmetry, their arms shackled above their heads in iron restraints. One skeleton bore the mark of violence—a broken arrow lodged in its shoulder—suggesting these men had met brutal, untimely deaths.

Chief archaeologist Stella Chrysoylaki, who presented the findings, described the scene as both gruesome and enigmatic. The teeth of the men were remarkably well-preserved, indicating they were young and healthy at the time of their deaths. This detail, along with the unusual positioning of their arms, raised questions about who these men were and why they had been executed in such a manner.

The answer may lie in the turbulent history of Athens during this period. Researchers believe the men could have been followers of Cylon, a nobleman and former Olympic champion who attempted to seize power as a tyrant. Cylon’s failed coup, detailed in the accounts of ancient historians Herodotus and Thucydides, remains one of the most infamous episodes in Athens’ early political history.

The Rise and Fall of Cylon

Cylon’s ambition to rule Athens stemmed from his noble lineage and his fame as an Olympic victor. In an era where athletic prowess was often equated with divine favor, Cylon saw himself as destined to lead. Encouraged by his marriage to the daughter of Theagenes, the tyrant of Megara, Cylon plotted to overthrow the existing government and establish himself as the ruler of Athens.

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In 632 BC, during the festival of Zeus, Cylon and his supporters launched their coup. They seized the Acropolis, the fortified heart of Athens, believing that the timing and their divine favor would ensure victory. However, the people of Athens opposed the coup, rallying against the would-be tyrant. Cut off from supplies and reinforcements, Cylon and his followers found themselves trapped.

Facing starvation and certain defeat, Cylon and his men sought refuge in the temple of Athena on the Acropolis, trusting that the sacred space would protect them. They eventually surrendered after receiving assurances from Megacles, a powerful member of the Alcmaeonid clan, that their lives would be spared. But Megacles betrayed this promise. Under the guise of escorting the conspirators to safety, he ordered their massacre, an act that would stain his family’s reputation for generations.

The Mystery of the Mass Graves

The discovery of the mass graves in Faliron Delta has reignited interest in Cylon’s failed coup. Two small vases found among the skeletons helped archaeologists date the graves to between 650-625 BC, a period of great political turmoil in Athens. This aligns with the timeline of Cylon’s uprising, leading researchers to speculate that the shackled men were his captured supporters.

The condition of the remains paints a grim picture. Some skeletons were found lying on their backs, others on their stomachs. A total of 36 had their hands bound with iron shackles, and one man’s legs were tied with rope. The positioning of their arms above their heads, rather than behind their backs, is unusual and remains unexplained. Was this meant as a form of humiliation? Or was it simply a practical method of restraint?

The arrow embedded in one man’s shoulder suggests that at least some of the captives were killed during the initial conflict. But the orderly arrangement of the bodies indicates that many were executed after being captured, perhaps as part of a mass punishment for their allegiance to Cylon.

A Legacy of Betrayal

The massacre of Cylon’s followers was not just a political act; it was a sacrilege. By betraying the sacred promise of safety, Megacles and the Alcmaeonid clan incurred the wrath of the gods and the condemnation of the city. The incident became a stain on the family’s legacy, leading to their temporary exile and a series of purifications to cleanse Athens of the miasma, or ritual pollution, caused by their actions.

Centuries later, the story of Cylon’s coup and its bloody aftermath continues to resonate. The discovery of the mass graves offers a rare glimpse into the human cost of political ambition and betrayal. It also serves as a reminder of the fragility of trust and the consequences of breaking sacred oaths.

Unearthing the Truth

As archaeologists continue to study the remains, they hope to uncover more about the identities of the young men and the circumstances of their deaths. The Faliron Delta excavation has already provided valuable insights into a turbulent chapter of Athenian history, shedding light on the lives—and deaths—of those who lived in an era of political upheaval.

For now, the shackled skeletons lie as silent witnesses to a dark past, their discovery a testament to the enduring power of history to speak across the ages.