Archaeological treasures waiting to be displayed
As one of the oldest cities in Greece, Thebes possesses an impressive heritage of antiquities that have not been displayed to their best advantage. Even the home of Amphitrion (the stepfather of the mythical hero Heracles), found at a building site in southeastern Cadmeia (the Acropolis of Thebes), is virtually in the shadow of a seven-floor apartment building recently constructed right next to the excavation site. «Construction interests have prevented the unification of Thebes’ archaeological sites that we had envisaged,» said former Mayor Thanassis Skoumas. Yet the future seems to be looking up for Thebes’ archaeological treasures as Hewlett-Packard has offered to subsidize the entire project, designed to highlight Cadmeia (the town fortified by its founder Cadmus). Although the Central Archaeological Council has refused to approve the involvement of a foreign firm, local authorities in Thebes are persisting and have asked the government to help. The town’s Committee of Distinguished Citizens is also helping, headed by its honorary president, Archbishop Ieronymos.
