Page 11 - Koga po~nav da ja pi{uvam prikaznata za vino sakav da gi izbegnam site misti~ni stapici koi kako crveni rubini go osvetluvaat patot kon po~etok na ovoj bo`estven pijalok
P. 11
conclusion that they are part of the temple dedicated to Dionysus. Different story is
the story about the krater found during the robbery of a tomb in the locality
Koresnica, near STENAE (Demir Kapija). This rare krater is owned currently by
the Shelby foundation, but despite its lack of physical presence does not lower its
scientific meaning that it has in proving the epicenter spot of STENAE (Demir
Kapija), regarding the wine consumer culture. The development of viticulture in
Tikvesh is actually a continuous process lasting with unimpaired intensity from
centuries ago. In the late ancient period in this region the viticulture and wine
production occupy the dominant position. The location of STENAE (Demir Kapija)
which is actually the end of the Boshava valley, has a place as a most important
post that in the time of Antigonus the second (gonatas) represented area where the
aristocracy and the nobility owned their vacation facilities. The founding of the
hydria – table amphora from the workshop of Medias confirms the above
mentioned. Namely, there are only four known of painted hydrias from the
workshop of Medias that even in the ancient world represented state of the art
processing. Demir Kapija with its splendid gifts does not stop to surprise and thrill
us. The cave Zmejovec, six kilometers away from Demir Kapija set in an
inaccessible region, hides a story which if researched by high scientific authorities
could represent truly epic discovery. During the research of this cave in the Sixties
significant ceramic artifacts were found, but also and a crystal skull that is told to be
send to Switzerland for expertise from where the trace is lost. All the findings in the
cave Goren Zmejovac as well as the external appearance indicate that this is a
mythological entrance to hell. This assumption if proven accurate will represent one
of the favorite tourist destinations for the people from the scientific community and
also for the specificity seekers. With the scientific verification of this assumption
another question will be posed associated with the ancient mythology where the
story about hell will be owned by ancient Macedonians. Beside the hydria, in Demir
Kapija during the researches in the Fifties conducted by archaeologist Mrs.
Todorovic were found a painted jug and painted wine glass. The beauty of the
craftsmanship indicates to a wealthy class who could afford to consume wine out of
these containers. The production of wine in this region continues and after the
Roman conquest in 133 B.C. The found ceramic pitchers, glasses and amphorae
speak in favor of the wine consuming culture which was present in this period also.
STENAE (Demir Kapija) in this period gets the prefix STENA in its name, so in the
period when the settlement on the right side of river Vardar was formed, near the
right coast of the river Dosnica, is called STENA STENAE. In the period of the
Roman occupation the rule of the emperor Diocletian is important. The major
reform which Diocletian implements in the Empire is of course the turning toward
the provinces and the revival of the agriculture, livestock, fruit and viticulture. This
successful reform restores the economic power of Rome, but also the authority of
the Emperor, one of the few to retire. Beside growing olives and tangerines,
Diocletian in his elderly years grows grapevine on his private property. When it
come to growing grape on the Apennine peninsula since ancient times grape plants
were brought from the Mediterranean, so the roots of AGLIANICO, ALEATICO,
MALVASIA DI CANDIA, MALVASIA BIANCO, MOSCATO and
MOSCATELLI - famous vines in Italy, originate from ancient Macedonia. STENA
STENAE, as a settlement lives till the early middle ages. This is indicated by the
artifacts found during archeological researches. The first archeological researches
are performed by the Germans in the second half of the 19-th century. Spiridon
Gopcevic in its travelogue indicates a destroyed city with overhead structures and
even with marble roadpointers that show the direction and distance to Stobi. The
Roman period of STENA STENAE and also the Tikvesh area is a period of well
developed trade and production of agricultural products among which the grapevine
11