Listed 37 sub titles with search on: Archaeological sites for wider area of: "CORINTHIA Prefecture PELOPONNISOS" .
AKROKORINTHOS (Castle) KORINTHOS
Various WebPages
ISTHMUS KORINTHOS (Isthmus) LOUTRAKI-PERACHORA
The
Diolkos is a paved road which was used for the transport of boats by land
on a platform ("puller of boats").
Its western section was excavated to a length of 255m. on the Peloponnesos
side of the Isthmus and of 204 m. on the Sterea Hellas side, in the precinct of
the School of Engineering.
Its width is 3,40 - 6,00m. It is paved with square blocks of poros
and carried two grooves in the middle, at a distance of 1,50 m. from each other.
On its western side it ended on a paved quay.
It became necessary to built the "diolkos" in order to provide a quick
passage for the boats between the Saronic Gulf and the Corinthian Bay. It was
constructed during the 6th century B.C., probably during the tyranny of Periandros
in Corinth. Its
westren end was reconstructed at the beginning of the 4th century B.C. It was
used for the transport of small boats, mostly warships, up to the 9th century
A.D. as is confirmed by various sources.
The monument was excavated during the years 1956-1959 by the Greek
Archaeological Service (under the direction of N.Verdelis). Supplementary
investigations were undertaken in 1960 and 1963 by the archaeologist with funds
from the Archaeological Society.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below.
ISTHMIA (Ancient sanctuary) LOUTRAKI-PERACHORA
KORINTHOS (Ancient city) PELOPONNISOS
SKALOMA (Settlement) LOUTRAKI-PERACHORA
At the pretty spot called Skaloma (to the east of the Vouliagmeni
lagoon, on the way to Makryloi) Mycenean tombs dating from 1600-1500 BC have
been discovered. A total of twelve shaft tombs, dug out of a hillside of soft
oil, have come to light. The tombs are circular in shape and roofed with protruding
domes. The grave-goods accompanying the dead were unusually rich and impress with
the delicacy of their technique and their linear decoration.
LOUTRAKI (Town) CORINTHIA
The considerable importance of this building can be deduced from the
large number of marble architectural members it contained and from the mosaic
scenes that ornamented its floors. The luxurious villa was equipped with a skillfully
constructed bath linked to the warm medicinal springs of Loutraki. The medicinal
springs of Loutraki, which still attract large numbers of visitors today, were
not unknown in ancient times. Loutraki was called Therma
meaning “hot springs” - and traces of the ancient settlement have
been identified beneath the modern town. Ancient writers mentioned the therapeutic
properties of the waters.
EXAMILIA (Small town) KORINTHOS
The Isthmus of Corinth
is a narrow strip of land between Central Greece and the Peloponnese,
and it is the only entrance from the north into the southernmost part of the Greek
mainland. For that reason, it played an important part in the history of the area.
Again and again, the Peloponnesians built and repaired α line of walls across
the narrow neck of land, to the south of the modern canal. In recent years, the
foundations of a Cyclopean wall have been discovered south of the sanctuary
of Poseidon; this must have been constructed in the late Mycenean period in
α vain attempt to stem the Dorian invasion.
Much of the Hexamilian Wall, built in the time of the Emperor Justinian
of Byzantium, has survived.
It was subsequently reconstructed twice - in 1415 by Manheul ΙΙ Palaeologus and
in 1443 by Constantine Palaeologus before the Turks finally broke through it
in 1446. The wall is 7,300 meters long, with α thickness of 3 m., 153 towers and
a large tort at either end. Much ancient material from the sanctuary
of Poseidon was incorporated into the wall - so much, indeed, that it was
believed for many centuries that it has been a Classical structure.
SIKYON (Ancient city) CORINTHIA
A big, almost square building on the south side of the agora of Sikyon,
presumed to have served as the meeting place for the Voule (Parliament). It dates
back to the 3rd century BC.
Its erection is related to the re-establishment of the city on a diferent
location by Demetrius Poliorketes, one of the successors of Alexander the Great.
The Bouleuterion consisted of a single, almost square auditorium,
with two internal concentic ionian colonnades. Inside were round benches and two
rectangular basins, into which water was channeled through pipes from a spring
at the foot of the Acropolis. The main entrance was on the north side, across
the Agora, and was decorated with a portico.
The building is mentioned by Pausanias (2nd century BC). In the roman
period it was used for public baths.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Foundation of the Hellenic World URL below.
KORINTHOS (Ancient city) PELOPONNISOS
Εllipsoid roman building in the southern part of the Roman
forum. It was established to house the local Voule of the city, and dates back
to the late 1st century BC.
The erection of Curia was part of the major project of rebuilding
the city after 44 BC, the year when the city was re-established by the Caesar
as a roman colony. The building was divided to the main conference room and an
ante-chamber. The roofed main room was formed by two linear and two curvilinear
walls, along which were stone benches. One or three gates led to the oblong room
with curvilinear narrow sides. The north facade of the building was decorated
with two front portals.
The architectural form of the building is unique in Greece, but it
bears some resemblance with some roman buildings in Italy. The walls are perserved
up to a considerable height.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Foundation of the Hellenic World URL below.
ISTHMIA (Ancient sanctuary) LOUTRAKI-PERACHORA
KORINTHOS (Ancient city) PELOPONNISOS
The American School of Classical Studies at Athens.
HERAION (Ancient sanctuary) LOUTRAKI-PERACHORA
Site: Perachora
Type: Temple
Summary: Narrow rectangular temple; in the harbor area, northeast
of the West Court, west of the Triglyph Altar of Hera Akraia and the Geometric
Temple of Hera Akraia.
Date: ca. 550 B.C.
Period: Archaic
Plan:
Long narrow cella opening west with walls on the north and south.
History:
A more complete reconstruction, not illustrated here, suggests that the cella
opened onto a pronaos, with 2 Doric columns distyle in antis. On the interior,
Doric colonnades on the 2 low walls and a cross wall in front of the cult statue
at the western end.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Perachora
Type: Peribolos Wall
Summary: Walled group of buildings; east of the harbor and the Hestiatorion.
Date: ca. 750 B.C.
Period: Geometric
Plan:
Rectangular enclosure, with a temple and hearth on south east corner. A sacred
pool outside the enclosure.
History:
Named from inscriptions found within the sanctuary. There is some debate if this
was a separate sanctuary from that of Hera Akraia. Inscriptions dedicating spits
were found here and other features indicate this may have been a dining facility.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 2 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Perachora
Type: Temple
Summary: Geometric temple; near the harbor, at the north end of
the Triglyph Altar of Hera Akraia.
Date: ca. 820 B.C.
Period: Geometric
Plan:
Hairpin-shaped temple opening east.
History:
Probably in use until ca. 725 B.C. A later, 6th century B.C. Temple of Hera Akraia
was constructed farther west on approximately the same axis as the Geometric temple.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Perachora
Type: Altar
Summary: Altar with a colonnade; in the harbor area, west of the
L-shaped stoa near the harbor, and abutting the Geometric Temple of Hera Akraia.
Date: ca. 550 B.C.
Period: Archaic
Plan:
Rectangular altar surrounded by 8 Ionic columns.
History:
The altar is named for the triglyphs and metopes which decorated its sides. The
Ionic columns possibly supported a canopy. The altar is contemporary with the
6th century B.C. Temple of Hera Akraia, but the colonnade was probably added ca.
400 B.C.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Perachora
Type: Stoa
Summary: L-shaped stoa; northeast of the harbor, just east of the
Triglyph Altar of Hera Akraia in the Sanctuary of Hera.
Date: ca. 325 B.C. - 300 B.C.
Period: Hellenistic
Plan:
Two-storied, one-aisled stoa opening to the south and west. Doric, lower colonnade
of 10 columns, and an Ionic upper colonnade of attached half columns.
History:
The upper story of Ionic columns is the earliest known use of Ionic order over
the Doric order in a stoa.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Perachora
Type: Court
Summary: Open area with colonnade; on the west side of the harbor.
Date: ca. 540 B.C.
Period: Archaic
Plan:
Irregular shape enclosed by a wall opening east. A bench ran along the west, south
and southeast sides, with pillars for roofing on the west and southern sides.
History:
Ca. 540 B.C., the earliest wall cuttings probably defined the extent of the Sanctuary
of Hera Akraia. The west wall and a wooden colonnade were added ca. 450 B.C. The
ca. 450 B.C. West Court is described above in the Plan description. It was probably
destroyed by Mummius in 146 B.C. In the 2nd century A.D. a Roman house was built
on the same location.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 4 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Perachora
Type: Cistern
Summary: Circular structure; northeast of the harbor area, between
the Sanctuary of Hera Limenia and the upper plains.
Date: ca. 450 B.C.
Period: Classical
Plan:
Circular foundation with small cutting near the center.
History:
Waterproof plaster indicates that this may have been a cistern. The floor slopes
toward the center cutting which may have been a drain. There are no signs of internal
supports and it may have been unroofed.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 2 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Perachora
Type: Dining facility
Summary: Three-roomed building; east of the harbor, west of the
Sanctuary of Hera Limenia, just south of the Double-apsidal Cistern.
Date: ca. 300 B.C.
Period: Hellenistic
Plan:
Nearly square, three-roomed building opening north. On the south, 2 square rooms
each equipped with 11 dining couches and 7 tables, opening on their north sides
onto a narrow vestibule.
History:
Excavation indicates that there was an earlier building on the same location.
The Double-apsidal Cistern was contemporary and probably built as part of the
Hestiatorion.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Perachora
Type: Cistern
Summary: Oval water tank; east of the harbor, west of the Sanctuary
of Hera Limenia, just north of the Hestiatorion.
Date: ca. 420 B.C.
Period: Classical
Plan:
Long cistern with apses at either end having 10 piers. Steps on the west. On the
east a separate apsidal settling tank with a circular basin, fed by a large channel
or drain.
History:
The stone slab drain which fed the cistern drew rain water from the Sanctuary
of Hera Limenia, and begins at the site of a sacred pool in the sanctuary. The
steps at the western end of the cistern indicate that water was drawn there to
serve the needs of the Hestiatorion. The Double-apsidal Cistern was contemporary
with, and probably built as a feature of the Hestiatorion.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 2 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Perachora
Type: Fountainhouse
Summary: Columned fountainhouse with long narrow storage chambers;
on the upper plains of the Perachora peninsula, northeast of the harbor.
Date: ca. 325 B.C.
Period: Hellenistic
Plan:
Ionic Hexastyle prostyle fountainhouse opening west. Three rectangular draw basins
on the east divided by a wall from the narrow storage chambers extending east.
History:
The site was in use from the 7th century B.C. onwards, but the fountainhouse dates
from the end of the 4th century B.C., when much of the Sanctuary of Hera was rebuilt.
The storage chambers received water from a channel at the southeastern corner.
Water then flowed into the south chamber and on to the draw basins and the center
and northern chambers.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 3 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
KORINTHOS (Ancient city) PELOPONNISOS
Site: Corinth
Type: Temple
Summary: Peripteral temple; in the Sanctuary of Apollo.
Date: ca. 540 B.C.
Period: Archaic
Plan:
Doric peripteral temple, 6 x 15 columns. Double cella, one opening west, one
opening east, with no door adjoining the 2 rooms. Each cella had 2 rows of columns
and a pronaos which was distyle in antis. A total of 38 columns.
History:
This temple replaces an earlier temple, ca. 625 B.C., on the same location.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 9 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
HERAION (Ancient sanctuary) LOUTRAKI-PERACHORA
Region: Corinthia
Periods: Geometric, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic
Type: Sanctuary
Summary: Sanctuary of Hera.
Physical Description:
Located on a large promontory at E end of Corinthian Gulf,
N of the Isthmus and opposite ancient Corinth, near the fortified town of Peraion.
Two sacred precincts existed: Hera Limenia above the harbor with an 8th century
B.C. temple and Hera Akraia by the harbor with a 6th century B.C. temple. House
remains, cisterns, an agora and stoa were part of the settlement around the sanctuaries.
There may have been an oracle at the sanctuaries.
Description:
Perhaps due to the scarcity of fresh water, there was no
settlement and only occasional habitation on the Perachora promontory prior to
the Geometric period when the territory (originally belonging to Megara) came
under Corinthian control. It was strategically important that Corinth control
the Perachora because it could serve an enemy as a strong base near the Isthmus
and Corinth and because it provided an ideal observation point for ship movement
in the whole W part of the Corinthian Gulf. The 1st temple and precinct of Hera
Akraia was established by the Corinthians on the W tip of the promontory early
in the Geometric period. There is strong indication that Argos also played a role
in the foundation of this new Heraion. In the later Geometric period (2nd half
of the 8th century B.C.), a 2nd temple and precinct, the so-called Hera Limenia,
was built ca. 200 m E and up the valley from the 1st precinct. The 2nd enclosure
may have been a separate sanctuary dedicated to Hera Limenia, or it may have been
an extension or annex to the precinct of Hera Akraia. In the latter case the 2nd
(8th century) temple may have replaced the original temple at the shore or it
may have been a treasury or structure to house the ever accumulating votive offerings
of Hera rather than an actual temple. The original sacred precinct of Hera Akraia
is in a confined space hemmed in by sea and cliffs and a large number of offerings
and votive gifts were brought into the sanctuary during the 8th century B.C. An
annex to the popular sanctuary of Hera Akraia appears more logical than the construction
of a new and competitive sanctuary of Hera. After the establishment of the Hera
Limenia precinct the original shore side precinct of Hera Akraia was renovated
and a new temple of Hera built in the 6th century B.C. From the 8th century through
the Classical period, votive gifts and offerings continue to enrich both precincts.
In the 8th and 7th centuries B.C. Corinth became more independent from Argos and
began to send out colonists and traders to the W. The Hera sanctuary was the last
point of Corinthian territory that colonists would pass and the first point that
returning merchants would reach and this undoubtedly accounted for many offerings
to secure or give thanks for safe voyages and enterprises. The Classical period
brought another phase of building activity at the sanctuary. The area of the Hera
Akraia precinct was remodeled and a stoa and agora were added. The approach to
the Hera Limenia precinct and part of that temenos were also remodeled. There
had been habitations and fortifications built in the neighborhood of the sanctuary
as early as the original Geometric period foundations and additional buildings
of this nature appear in the Classical period. The Heraion was still important
and active in the Hellenistic period and new buildings and cisterns appear in
the neighborhood. The sanctuary, however, had been completely abandoned after
the Roman sack of 146 B.C. and Roman houses were built over its ruins.
Exploration:
Excavations: 1930-33, H. Payne, British School of Archaeology.
Donald R. Keller, ed.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 22 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
ISTHMIA (Ancient sanctuary) LOUTRAKI-PERACHORA
Region: Corinthia
Periods: Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman
Type: Sanctuary
Summary: One of the four major Panhellenic sanctuaries and site
of the Isthmian Games, 2nd only to the Olympian Games in fame.
Physical Description:
Located on the SE side of the Isthmus of Corinth, ca. 13
km E of ancient Corinth, the Sanctuary of Poseidon occupies a high point with
a clear view to the Corinthian and Saronic Gulfs. The main features of the sanctuary
are the temple and altar of Poseidon and the stoas of the main temenos. Beyond
the walls of the temenos are the stadium, theater, Roman Palaimonion shrine, and
Roman baths. Associated with the sanctuary are cave shrines N of the theater and
the Sacred Grove 400 m SW of the temenos.
Description:
Traditionally the sanctuary and games of honor of Poseidon
were established by the Corinthian King Sisyphos or the Athenian Hero Theseus.
The games were reportedly reorganized as a Panhellenic festival during the 49th
Olympiad (582-578 B.C.) and held every 2nd spring thereafter. Control of the games
was held by Corinth except for the period 146-44 B.C. when Corinth lay in ruins
and Sikyon managed the games. The Archaic temenos wall had a N and E propylon
and enclosed a temple and altar. Outside the wall was a large 20 m deep well and
a 16 lane stadium with a length of 192 m. In the Classical period the temenos
was enlarged and stoas added. The original temple, destroyed by fire, was replaced
by a temple that stood (with repairs in 390 B.C.) through the Roman period. The
deep well outside the wall became a refuge pit and a new, shorter (181 m) stadium
was constructed. The Classical stadium was replaced in the Hellenistic period
by a stadium located ca. 250 m SE of the temenos and at ca. 400 B.C. a theater
was built ca. 30 m NE of the temenos. The theater was renovated twice in the Hellenistic
period and twice in the Roman period. In the Roman period the temenos was again
extended and new stoas built. The Palaimonion cult precinct was attached to the
S side of the main temenos over the traditional burial place of Palaimon (associated
with the Corinthian foundation legend for the sanctuary). The sanctuary remained
active during the Roman period, until it was sacked by the Goths in A.D. 395 At
the beginning of the 6th century A.D. the structures in the sanctuary were pulled
down for material to build the nearby fortress and Isthmia wall of Justinian.
Exploration:
In 1883 P. Monceaus of the French School investigated the
site. It was re-studied and some test trenches dug in 1933 by R. Jenkins and A.
Megaw. 1952-1961 excavations by University of Chicago directed by O. Broneer,
who located the site of the sanctuary and excavated the temenos of Poseidon, the
stadium, theater and shrine of Palaimon (including the earlier temple and stadium).
1967-1972 excavations by University of California directed by P. Clement, chiefly
of the Isthmian fortifications and burials of the sixth and fifth centuries BC.
Donald R. Keller, ed.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 35 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
KORINTHOS (Ancient city) PELOPONNISOS
Region: Corinthia
Periods: Neolithic, Early Bronze Age, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic,
Roman, Byzantine
Type: Fortified city
Summary: Corinth was the capital of a major Greek city-state in
the Archaic and Classical periods; a meeting place of the Hellenic League in the
Hellenistic period and the capital of the Roman province of Achaea.
Physical Description:
Ancient Corinth is strategically located 10 km SW of the
Isthmus of Corinth and 3 km inland from its port of Lechaion, on the gulf of Corinth.
The harbor town of Kenchreai, 10 km to the E, provided the city with access to
the Saronic gulf. Corinth controlled the N-S land traffic over the Isthmus and
maintained the Diolkos, a stone paved portage for ships crossing the Isthmus.
Corinth was linked to Lechaion in the 5th century B.C. by parallel Long Walls
(cf. Athens and Piraeus) which enclosed a large area of urban and agricultural
land as well as numerous sanctuaries. To the S, walls extended from Corinth and
ascended to the natural strong hold on the heights of Acrocorinth. The large fortress
on Acrocorinth, with its triple line of fortifications and supply of spring water
was almost impregnable and a key (throughout history) to the control of the Peloponnese.
Within the fortifications of Corinth itself (an area over twice the size of Classical
Athens) religious, civic, commercial and domestic buildings as well as a large
number of markets, factories and taverns crowded around the centrally placed Temple
of Apollo. Most of the remains visible today date to the rebuilding and embellishment
of the city during the Roman period.
Description:
The name Korinthos is pre-Greek and the site was occupied
from the Early Neolithic through the Early Bronze Age. There is little evidence
for settlement in the Middle and Late Bronze Ages, however, when the region of
the Corinthia is overshadowed by the neighboring Argolid. Traditionally, Corinth
was founded by the Dorians. During the 7th and 6th centuries B.C. it became a
leading mercantile and colonizing power. Pottery and bronzes manufactured in Archaic
Corinth were traded as far as Spain, Egypt and the Black Sea. After the Persian
Wars, the rise of Athens weakened Corinth's overseas contacts and power and Corinth
is frequently aligned with Sparta against Athens during the Classical period.
The defeat of the Greek forces at Chaironeia (338 B.C.) resulted in a Macedonian
garrison being placed at Corinth and the city became the meeting place for the
Macedonian controlled Hellenic League. Corinth flourished under Macedonian rule,
but revolted in 224 B.C. to join the renewed Achaean League. In 146 B.C. the League
was defeated by Rome and Corinth was completely destroyed by the Roman general
Mummius. The city remained virtually abandoned until Julius Caesar established
a colony of veterans on the site in 44 B.C. It became the capital of the Roman
province of Achaia in 27 B.C. Extensive rebuilding in the 1st century A.D. included
the addition of a forum, large public baths, and an amphitheater. Under Roman
patronage Corinth soon reclaimed and exceeded its earlier reputation as the Greek
city most noted for luxury, vice, and decadence. Corinth suffered and survived
barbarian destruction in the 3rd and 4th centuries and disastrous earthquakes
in the 6th century A.D. Its steady decline in prosperity was finally completed
by the sack of the city by the Crusaders in the 12th century.
Exploration:
Earliest excavation in 1886 by W. Dorpfeld. A. Skias excavated
in 1892 and 1906. From 1896 to the present, excavations by the American School.
Donald R. Keller, ed.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 99 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
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