(This post may be a bit long for some email software, so if you don’t see “Next stop: Catching Up” at the bottom of your email, you’ll need to click on the title to go to the website and see the full post).
It had been a long day by the time we got to Ancient Corinth and we were somewhat unprepared for the site. The archaeological site of Ancient Corinth is huge. Clearly, it was a large and prosperous city …. mainly through the same commercial process that they use today. Corinth used to charge large amounts of money to transport ships (and their cargoes) between the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf. Back in the day the ships were transported overland, nowadays it’s through the Corinth Canal.
In the 5th c. BC Corinth was one of the three major powers in Greece, and took part in all the battles against the Persians. After the Persians ceased to be a danger to Greece, her intense rivalry with Athens reduced Corinth to a secondary position. Important landmarks in the city's history include its comprehensive destruction by the Romans in 146 BC, and its resettlement by Julius Caesar in 44 BC, which marked the beginning of a new period of prosperity.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t a lot of information displayed at the site which meant that we were kind of stumbling about wondering exactly what we were looking at. There’s the remains of the Temple of Apollo and a whole lot of buildings that make up the ancient agora, civic centre and various temples and basilicas. There was also a museum on-site.
One of the things Corinth is famous for, is that St. Paul was here around 52 AD, presumably telling everyone about his buddy JC.
This is the remains of a large fountain.
Temple of Apollo.
Its a big site.
The seven surviving columns of the Temple of Apollo.
The mountain makes a great backdrop.
Representation of Ancient Corinth in its heyday.
The maps outside were a bit confusing, so we ducked into the museum to see if we could make sense of the site.
This museum has had a hard time in the past, with thieves breaking in and stealing important items. Apparently there’s quite a black market trade in stolen antiquities. Luckily, a lot of the stolen items were recovered.
Sculpture and architectural elements in the museum.
Scenes from a battle between the Greeks and the Amazons (tribe of warrior women).
Battle of Greeks and Amazons (or the Paris olympics?)
After I took this photo, I was told no photos were allowed of those two male statues (kouros). They were apparently recovered after being stolen, and a scientific paper will be published on them soon. Until that happens, no photos are allowed. Behind the statues are the graves of two males.
Bronze mirror, 5th century BC.
Sphinxes, 6th century BC.
Before the Corinth canal was built, they would transport boats over land, for a fee of course.
Graves of the two males linked to the two Kouros (male statues).
Colourful pottery.
Lots of well made statues, and then also some where I think the sculptor was maybe not trying as hard (see bottom right).
A cross between a column and a statue.
A reasonably complete statue. Apparently the reason why all these statues of males are so, um, small, is that they didn’t want to offend the gods with a well endowed statue 🥹😂.
Have you ever wondered about all the different styles of capitols? Here’s a great graphic showing the different types.
Some buildings were better preserved that others.
Bags not go in there!
Various blocks with holes in them for lifting and locking together.
A refurbished bit of cladding?
The main road on the left, with shops running along its length.
The main road/walkway with shops along the left hand side.
A path leading to the fountain - but you can’t go in there.
A better view of the fountain area.
A large block with a depiction of a guy sitting at the back of the boat and steering.
The road is in not bad condition considering its age!
Unusual stone block with a window in it?
Walkways lined with columns were very popular back in the day.
Something worth protecting, although not worth an information board apparently 🥴
The sun is heading down, and it’s almost closing time.
One piece solid marble column.
An upside down column capital.
I wonder what the writing says on this large block?
Great detail of the footwear in this statue.
A few different capitals stacked up - can you name the different styles?
The Roman odeon visible from the carpark.
After a long day of touring around, we finally got back to Scappa to find that we were surrounded by superyachts …. or at least very large and expensive powerboats. The whole dock was filled with them. Maybe it’s a club?
This boat had a cat that liked to sit on the end of the passarelle and watch the hoomans walk past. One of the crew was tasked with keeping an eye on the cat.
Feeling kinda small next to the neighbours.
The rose between thorns?
Sausage display in the butcher’s window. Grabbing some supplies before we leave Nafplio.
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