Mass Graves Believed To Be From 675BC Found In Greek Capital

Two mass graves have been discovered near the Greek capital. Archaeologists found skeletons of men who may be followers of Cylon of Athens -- 80 of them in all. The remains were discovered at the ancient cemetery along the seaside outskirts of Athens -- on the construction site of the new National Library and National Opera.

Stella Chryssoulaki said that the high importance of the discoveries is launching further investigations, but two small vases found among the skeletons have already allowed them to date the graves between 675 and 650 BC, which the culture ministry said is a time of "great turmoil" in the area. The skeletons, according to Discovery News, were lined up -- some on their backs and some on their stomachs. Of the 80, 36 had their hands bout with iron. The teeth of the men were also found to be in good condition, an indication that they have been young and healthy.

Ancient mass graves discovered in Greece https://t.co/P3wvsVRgRO pic.twitter.com/N3pHbp899d

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This futher boosts the theory that these could be the remains of the followers of Cylon, a nobleman from the 7th century BC who was said to fail a coup. The Washington Post noted that he was a former Olympic champion who wanted to seize up his status as a celebrity and enlisted the help of his father-in-law to rule as a tyrant. He also attracted a band of followers and together they took on Acropolis.

However, people from Athens opposed his attempt at a coup, but they were beseiged and finally relented after nobles promised to spare their lives. Cylon and his followers were forced to seek refuge in Acropolis, but he and his brother managed to escape, leaving their followers without food.

The guards convinced the rest of the prisoners that they could leave safely, but eventually put them to death. According to Athenian historian Thucydides, some of them were slain in the presence of Goddesses.