Ancient Ruler Monument Stirs Controversy

Society | May 28, 2004, Friday // 00:00

Over-man-high statue depicting ancient ruler Philip II Macedonian will stand in the center of the southern town of Plovdiv.

The monument, projected at a total height of 11.5 m, is financed by the municipalities of Plovdiv and Greek's Thessaloniki. It will stand in the town's center to commemorate its founder, believed to be the famous ancient Macedonian Kingdom's ruler.

Its installment however enkindled local public opinion with project's defenders claiming that Thessaloniki will build up, in return, a monument of Sts. Cyril and Methodius.

Opponents have objected there is no firm evidence that ancient Philipopolis was named after Philip II. Some historians claim the ruler was instead Philip V. According to the Mati Bolgaria Foundation, the first settlements in the area date far back to Thracian times, and later Macedonian expansion only came to find an urban organization.

An initiative group has tabled the proposal to quit the installment and donate the ready monument to Greece.
READ MORE about Bulgaria's town of Plovdiv at For the Record section

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