Listed 5 sub titles with search on: Information about the place for wider area of: "CRIMEA Republic UKRAINE" .
NEAPOLIS (Ancient city) UKRAINE
The chief city of the Scythians from the 3d c. B.C., situated E of
modern Simferopol (Strab. 7.4.7). It ceased to exist in the 3d c. A.D. when the
Crimea was overrun by Sarmatians, Alans, and Goths.
Although the capital of the Scythian state in the Crimea, there is
evidence in the remains of considerable Greek influence, and graffiti suggest
the possibility of a permanent Greek settlement in the city. Covering an area
of ca. 20 ha, the city was surrounded in the 3d c. B.C. with stone walls bonded
with mortar. The walls are 2.5 m thick, later reinforced to a thickness of 11-12
m in some places, and have been preserved to a height of ca. 2.7 m. The main gate,
in the middle of the S wall, was protected on either side by towers. There were
two other gates. Architectural remains within the city include a large stone structure
opposite the main gate with two porticos, columns with Doric capitals, and a tiled
roof; a rich dwelling of the 3d-2d c. with a semi-cellar, tiled roof, and plastered
and painted walls; Hellenistic dwellings with rooms opening onto paved courtyards.
The city's funerary architecture was monumental. Most noteworthy is
a mausoleum built on a rectangular plan (8.65 x 8.10 m). Its walls, which consisted
of slabs of stone, have been preserved up to 3 m. Inside were 72 richly furnished
tombs, probably belonging to dynastic kings buried between the 2d c. B.C. and
the 2d c. A.D. A wooden sarcophagus with feet carved in the shape of fantastic
animals is especially remarkable. The sides of the sarcophagus are decorated with
garlands, acanthus leaves, flowers, and pine cones. Gold rings, earrings, etc.,
and Scythian arms have been found here. The necropolis has also been excavated,
on the outskirts of the city. Cut in the rock, the tombs are small square chambers
containing niches. On the walls are painted friezes depicting scenes of everyday
Scythian life (leaving for the hunt; a Scythian drawing his bow; also houses and
huts). Some Greek inscriptions have been uncovered (including one mentioning King
Skylurus) and a relief from the 3d c. B.C. showing Palakos on horseback. The Simferopol
Museum and the Pushkin Museum, Moscow, contain material from the site.
M. L. Bernhard & Z. S. Ztetyllo, ed.
This text is from: The Princeton encyclopedia of classical sites,
Princeton University Press 1976. Cited Nov 2002 from
Perseus Project URL below, which contains bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Receive our daily Newsletter with all the latest updates on the Greek Travel industry.
Subscribe now!
