Listed 19 sub titles with search on: Archaeological sites for wider area of: "ETOLOAKARNANIA Prefecture GREECE" .
STRATOS (Ancient city) ETOLOAKARNANIA
The project is under the auspices of the Berlin Head Office of the Deutsches Archaologisches Institut.
INIADES (Ancient city) IERA POLIS MESSOLONGIOU
PLEVRON (Ancient city) ETOLOAKARNANIA
STRATOS (Ancient city) ETOLOAKARNANIA
KATOCHI (Small town) IERA POLIS MESSOLONGIOU
On the west of the village, there is a rocky hill with oak trees, where the remains of the ancient city of Oiniades are situated.
PALEROS (Ancient city) ETOLOAKARNANIA
The most important site is the ancient city of Paleros which was situated
in the current position of Κechropoula in the SE of the peninsula. The city is
believed to exist since the Mycenaean period.
Evidence of that are the walls of the city, part of it belongs to
the second millennium B.C.
The construction of the walls varies between trapezium and polygon
system and they belong to different time periods. The oldest part of the walls
belongs to the Mycenaean period. The port of ancient Paleros was situated in the
current position of Pogonia,
in the SE part of the peninsula. Ruins of marine construction have been found
East of the village.
The fortress was constructed in the middle of 5th century; some believe
is identical to the ancient city of Sollion,
colony of the Corinthians. Today, in that location still exist ruins and the views
of historians regarding the fortress of sterna vary, if there was an ancient city
and what was its name. Others place Sollio, others Νiriko, others place in Sterna
another ancient city with great power. For this opinion substantiates the fact
of the position in which the fortress is located, from which one can have control
of a vast area. Sollio was a marine base of Corinthos, was conquered during the
Peloponnesian war by the Athenians and according to Thoukidides ( 430 B.C.) came
under the control of Palerians-Akarnanians.
The strategic interests of the Athenians from 454 B.C. bring many
conflicts in which the Akarnanian cities are involved during 5th century B.C.
Akarnania during the Peloponnesian war is on the side of the Athenians and at
the end of 5th century B.C. gains power.
North of the city of Paleros is situated lake Voulkaria, or lake Μyrtountion
according to Stavronas. Lake probably leftover of the salt lake that occupied
today’s valley of Paleros during Homer’s time. The salt lake according to the
tradition was the saviour of Queen Cleopatra, when during the battle of Aktion
hunted by her seekers passed with her ships the shallow channel of Paleros. Memory
of the passage of Cleopatra queen of Egypt is the preservation of the name of
the ancient passage as "dock of Cleopatra".
After the victory of Romans in 31 A.D., the prints of ancient Paleros
are lost and historically this is explained by the establishment of Nicopolis
after the battle of Aktio.
The founding of Nicopolis in 30 A.D. is an important event for the distribution
of the population and the whole economy of Aitoloakarnania. The surrounding cities
loose a big part of their potential, as a result they became satellites of the
new Metropolis, this way Ακαrnania
became territorioum of this new city.
Under Trian rule whole of Akarnania belonged to the Imperial district
of Epirus, with base
the ancient Nicopoli. Later, Dioklitian, part of which is today’s Aitoloakarnania,
recognizes Nicopoli as base of Old Epirus. Since, Aitoloakarnania is linked with
the fate Byzantine Empire, of which was part. Paleros was among the cities mentioned
in ancient times and during the Roman period.
If we go back in time, in second millennium B.C., we will see that
that the peninsula of Plagia
was an autonomous island. Plagia is situated on the NW tip of Aitoloakarnania
and is separated from Lefkas by a canal that ancient Corinthians built during
600 B.C. with objective to improve transportation between the Ionian
sea and Patraiko gulf.
The channel separated Lefkas
island from Aitoloakarnania. They were connected through a network of swamps and
islets.
The argument of the existence of Plagia as an island is supported
by the fact that the valley of Paleros is below the sea level with sand type of
soil, where there was sea which cut off the peninsula that Plagia is located today
from the rest of Aitoloakarnania with a swamp that extended from the bay of today's
Paleros to the bay of Ag.
Nikolaos of Vonitsa. Leftover of the swamp is the lake
Voulkaria, which is connected today with the sea by a canal.
The view that Plagia was an island in the Homer years generates theories
regarding the existence and actual location of "Homeric" Ithaka in Plagia.
German researcher Doerpfeld, suggests that the Plagia Peninsula belongs to the
geographic arrangement of "Homeric" Ithaka (Homer Odyssey). He equates
the ancient city of Paleros with "Homeric" Nirikos, he believes that
Nirikos was on the hill of St. Georgios where today exists the fort of St. Georgios.
Views of researchers vary on the location of "Homeric" Ithaka
and many theories have been created.
According to German researcher Doerpfeld, the peninsula of Plagia
was initially an island, believed to be the "Homeric country" of Kefallineans,
where the ancient city of Nirikos
existed, it was conquered by Laertis and incorporated with Ithaka, as the Kefallines
became warriors of Odysseus. According to this theory, in the peninsula of Plagia,
which is used today as in ancient times for shepherding, Odysseus could have had
his schools of pigs, sheep, goats and cows. For Voukoulo Filoitio the poet informs
us he lived in the city of Kefallineans. Kegallines lived in the time of Odysseus
across in the mainland, and the herds of Odysseus according to Odysseus (ξ, 100
and υ, 210) were located in the peninsula of the mainland and at the same time
in the region of Kefallines.
PLAGIA (Village) AKTIO - VONITSA
The archeological place of Sterna, which is situated o the peak of
the mountain over the old Plagia. There is an ancient wall and two watch towers
on the two hills opposite the area of Sterna.
This text (extract) is cited August 2003 from the Municipality
of Kekropia tourist pamphlet.
THERMON (Ancient city) ETOLOAKARNANIA
Site: Thermon
Type: Bouleuterion
Summary: Rectangular building; in the southeast corner of the Sanctuary
of Apollo Thermios.
Date: ca. 350 B.C. - 160 B.C.
Period: Late Clas./Hell.
Plan:
Rectangular meeting hall opening on the north.
History:
Also known as the Aetolian Council Hall.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 2 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Thermon
Type: Stoa
Summary: Stoa; at the southeast corner of the Sanctuary of Apollo
Thermios.
Date: ca. 275 B.C. - 216 B.C.
Period: Hellenistic
Plan:
Two-aisled stoa opening west with a Doric outer colonnade.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 2 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Thermon
Type: Fountainhouse
Summary: Rectangular structure with zig-zag channel; in the Sanctuary
of Apollo Thermios, between the Temple of Apollo and the Middle Stoa.
Date: ca. 300 B.C. - 200 B.C.
Period: Hellenistic
Plan:
Small three-sided building fitted with spouts and opening southwest. A zig-zag
channel from it runs roughly east-west.
History:
The fountain and channel still function.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 3 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Thermon
Type: House
Summary: 'Hair-pin' shaped house; on the north side of the Sanctuary
of Apollo, partly under the northwest corner of the Temple of Apollo Thermios.
Date: ca. 1400 B.C. - 1100 B.C.
Period: Late Bronze Age
Plan:
Long apsidal building opening southwest. On the south end, extended antae, possibly
returning, formed a deep porch, the porch rear wall opened onto a long nearly
rectangular room with a door on its north end leading into a room in the apse.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 4 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Thermon
Type: Temple
Summary: Three-roomed structure; beneath the later Temple of Apollo
Thermios.
Date: ca. 1000 B.C. - 680 B.C.
Period: Geometric
Plan:
Long, narrow building, with deep porch, large central room and a small rear room.
Slightly curving rear wall.
History:
The function of the slightly apsidal 10th century B.C. structure is uncertain.
The peristyle of wooden posts resting on stone slabs appears to have been added
later, possibly in the 8th or 7th century B.C. The apsidal colonnade of wooden
posts surrounding Megaron B would make it the earliest example of a temple with
a colonnade, and the only example of an apsidal peristyle, but Lawrence suggests
the relation of these posts to Megaron B is probably coincidental.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Thermon
Type: Stoa
Summary: Stoa; in the Sanctuary of Apollo Thermios, running north-south
between the Temple of Apollo and the South Stoa.
Date: ca. 275 B.C. - 216 B.C.
Period: Hellenistic
Plan:
Two-aisled stoa opening east with buttressed rear wall on the west.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Thermon
Type: Peribolos Wall
Summary: Wall with towers; surrounding the Sanctuary of Apollo Thermios.
Date: ca. 250 B.C.
Period: Hellenistic
Plan:
Nearly rectangular peribolos wall with square towers built at regular intervals,
and round towers guarding the southwest entry. Another entry on the northern wall.
History:
The entire wall is not preserved. Although remains at the sanctuary date to earlier
periods, the protective walls are from the 3rd century B.C.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Thermon
Type: Stoa
Summary: Stoa; on the south side of the Sanctuary of Apollo Thermios,
parallel to the southern sanctuary wall.
Date: ca. 275 B.C. - 216 B.C.
Period: Hellenistic
Plan:
Two-aisled stoa with probable Doric outer colonnade, opening north. Buttressed
rear wall.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 4 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Thermon
Type: Temple
Summary: Narrow peripteral temple; at the northern end of the Sanctuary
of Apollo Thermios.
Date: ca. 630 B.C. - 610 B.C.
Period: Archaic
Plan:
Doric peripteral temple, 5 x 15 columns, with two-aisled cella opening south directly
onto the peristyle. The first of the 10 interior columns stood in the space between
the antae of the cella. Opisthodomos with 2 columns on the north.
History:
Built over the remains of Megaron B. The wooden columns were later replaced by
stone. Northwest of the temple may have been a small Temple of Apollo Lyseios,
and to the east, a small Temple of Artemis.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 29 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
KALYDON (Ancient city) IERA POLIS MESSOLONGIOU
Region: Aetolia
Periods: Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic
Type: Fortified city and sanctuary
Summary: Setting of the Kalydonian boar hunt.
Physical Description:
N of the entrance to the Gulf of Corinth, Kalydon was a
minor city enclosed by a 4 km long circuit wall (3rd century B.C. date) and a
strongly fortified acropolis. A sacred road ran ca. 400 m from the West City Gate
to the Sanctuary of Artemis Laphria. The sanctuary had originally 2 Archaic temples
dedicated to Artemis and Apollo. During the Classical and Hellenistic period the
sanctuary developed to include a number of stoas, treasuries and other structures.
Description:
Kalydon was recorded by Homer as the home of Oeneus and
the setting of the Caledonian boar hunt. The historical city is little known and
apparently unimportant, but the growth of the Sanctuary of Artemis, the construction
of the city's walls in the 3rd century B.C., and the size of some of the Hellenistic
tombs indicate some prosperity. The city declined in the Roman period, and in
30 B.C. Augustus transferred the inhabitants to the new city of Nikopolis.
Exploration:
Early description of the remains by Leake (1835) and Woodhouse
(1897). Excavations on the acropolis and at the sanctuary of Artemis Laphria in
1908 by G. Sotiriadis. In 1926, 1928, and 1932 joint Greek-Danish excavations
carried out under F. Poulsen and K. Romaios.
Donald R. Keller, ed.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 13 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
THERMON (Ancient city) ETOLOAKARNANIA
Region: Aetolia
Periods: Late Bronze Age, Geometric, Dark Age, Archaic, Classical,
Hellenistic
Type: Sanctuary
Summary: Sanctuary of Apollo and meeting place of the Aetolian League.
Physical Description:
Located on a mountain plateau above the NE shore of Lake Trichonis
in W Central Greece, the fortified temenos occupied an area of 340 by 200 m. It
contained 3 temples, 3 stoas, a fountain and spring, agora, and a bouleuterion
as well as exedra and votive sculpture. Fragmentary remains of an early (ca. 630-610
B.C.) Doric temple were found below the later temple of Apollo Thermios and above
the so-called Megaron B, a possible temple of Geometric date. There was also a
temple of Artemis at the sanctuary.
Description:
The site was first settled in the Late Bronze Age. At sometime
in the Geometric period the site took on a religious character as evidenced by
the remains of Megaron B, a cult building with an elliptical colonnade (which
may, however, have been added at a later date). Above the Megaron B temple an
Archaic temple was built which was then replaced after 206 B.C. by the final temple
of Apollo Thermios. In the Classical period the site became a Pan-Aetolian sanctuary
and the meeting place for members of the Aetolian League. Annual festivals were
held and the election of magistrates took place in the bouleuterion at the site.
The fortification of the sanctuary probably occurred after the invasion of Antipater
and Krateros in 323 B.C. Thermon was plundered by Philip V of Macedon in 218 and
206 B.C., but it continued to function until ca. 168 B.C. when the League was
reduced. The discovery of 1st century B.C. graves in the temenos area indicates
that the site was no longer a sacred precinct by this time.
Exploration:
Excavations: 1896-1916, G. Soteriades, Greek Archaeological
Society.
Donald R. Keller, ed.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 19 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
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