Eretria
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Municipality of Eretria Δήμος Ερέτριας |
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| Basic data | |||
| State : |
 Greece
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| Region : | Central Greece | ||
| Regional District : | Euboea | ||
| Geographic coordinates : | 38 ° 23 ' N , 23 ° 47' E | ||
| Area : | 170 km² | ||
| Residents : | 13,053 (2011) | ||
| Population density : | 76.8 inhabitants / km² | ||
| Post Code: | 34008 | ||
| Prefix: | (+30) 22290 | ||
| Community logo: |
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| Seat: | Eretria | ||
| LAU-1 code no .: | |||
| Districts : | 2 parishes | ||
| Local self-government : |
3 city districts 3 local communities |
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| Website: | eretria.gr | ||
| Location in the Central Greece region | |||
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Eretria ( pronunciation : [ ɛˈrɛtria ], Greek Ερέτρια ( f. Sg. )) Is a city on the west coast of the island of Evia . It is located south of Chalkida . Around 500 BC The city was an important center, but lost its importance in antiquity. The excavations of ancient Eretria began in the 1890s and have been carried out by the Greek Archaeological Authority and the Swiss Archaeological School in Greece since 1964 . The current city of Eretria was founded shortly after the Greek War of Independence in 1821.
Ancient Eretria
First traces of settlement from prehistoric times
A few remains of ceramics and stone tools that were found on the Acropolis and in the coastal plain indicate that the area of Eretria was already settled in the late Neolithic (approx. 3500–3000 BC). However, a lack of archaeological evidence does not allow any conclusions about the type of dwellings. Based on the current state of research, it can be assumed that a permanent settlement only existed in the plain in the Early Helladic (approx. 3000–2000 BC), as various finds and findings (ceramics and stone tools, remains of a granary) attest. Around 2000 a lagoon was formed in this stretch of coast, the area remained deserted for almost a thousand years. On the heights of the Acropolis, a prosperous settlement with houses, streets and rock tombs developed in the Middle Helladic (approx. 2000–1600 BC). For the Mycenaean period (approx. 1600-1050 BC) the continued existence of the upper town is assured. In addition to the - compared to the Middle Helladic, much smaller ceramic finds - the remains of an observation post could be identified.
From oikos to urban organization in geometric time
A lack of archaeological evidence suggests that Eretria existed for a longer period during the Dark Centuries , i. H. in the protogeometric period (late 11th – 10th centuries BC), abandoned or only sparsely populated. From the 9th century BC Some graves and ceramics can be found in the 2nd century BC, the associated settlement is still unknown. The extremely thin population is very likely due to the extensive swamps and changing watercourses. In the 8th century BC A larger settlement gradually developed in the plain between the coast and the Acropolis, but without forming a coherent urban structure. The social and economic living space was the oikos , which consisted of groups of houses belonging to a family. Such family communities probably also included the graves scattered around the city and arranged in groups, such as B. that in the late 8th century BC. Richly furnished tomb in the west of the city dating from the 4th century BC, over which the Heroon was built in archaic times . One of the early important buildings, the sanctuary of Apollon Daphnephoros, was built around 750 BC. In the center of Eretria. Where previously there were individual, smaller buildings that were used as workshops and for banquets, a monumental nave was created that served ritual activities.
During the Greek colonization of the eastern and western Mediterranean in the 8th century BC The Euboean cities, especially Chalkis and Eretria, played a leading role. Early permanent trading posts were opened on the northern Syrian coast ( Al Mina , Tell Sukas ) and in southern Italy. On Ischia ( Pithekussai ), in the Gulf of Naples ( Kyme ) and on Sicily ( Zankle ) - to name just a few - important colonies arose. Colonies ( Mende , Methone ) were also founded on the Chalkidike in northern Greece .
The development of the polis in archaic times
Although Eretria was very likely defeated in the legendary Lelantic War against the Chalcis , the city developed into a flourishing polis in the archaic period (700-490 BC) . Above the late Geometric graves in the west, arose at the beginning of the 7th century BC. The Heroon. Against the floods, which often occurred after heavy rainfall, around 680 BC. A canal was created in the area of the west gate to divert the water flowing down from the northwest of the Voudochi to the east. In the middle of the 7th century BC The older apsidial building in the sanctuary of Apollon Daphnephoros was replaced by a monumental Ionic Hekatompedos . In the 6th century BC The flowering of the polis stopped around 550 BC. A first belt of fortifications was built around the city, the Acropolis and probably also the port. The watercourse coming from the mountains was led back into its original bed along the western wall, the heroon was renewed and the agora was laid out in the heart of the city . Around 510 BC The construction of a Doric peripteros , which began around 530 in the Apollon sanctuary, was completed, the west pediment of which showed an Amazonomachy with Athena in the middle (see Athena of Eretria ), of which only the kidnapping group with Antiope and Theseus , a masterpiece of Greek sculpture, is preserved.
Eretria in classical times
During the 5th and 4th centuries. v. Eretria experienced an eventful time in which war and destruction as well as peaceful periods of prosperity followed one another. As a result of Eretria's participation in the uprising of the Ionians against the Persians , the city was occupied during the first Persian campaign under King Darius I (549–486 BC) in 490 BC. Conquered and the temples burned down. The abducted Eretrians were shown to Darius in Susa and settled in the country of Kissia on an estate owned by Darius called 'Arderikka'. The city apparently recovered relatively quickly, as it was already 480 BC. Supported the fight against the invading Greece Xerxes I (around 519-465 BC).
After the unsuccessful uprising of the Euboean cities against Athens in 446 BC. BC, but no later than after the second failed revolt of 424 BC. Eretria came under the rule of Athens . During this time, modest private buildings (House I) were built in the west of the polis, above the Heroon, while the east stoa was renewed on the agora in the center. In a sea battle off Eretria in 411 BC it succeeded. BC the Spartan fleet with the support of the population of Eretria to destroy the Athenian ships. After the liberation from the hegemony of Athens, a new upswing of the polis began, which occurred in the first half of the 4th century. v. Through numerous urban development projects: 400 BC. The archaic city wall was renewed and equipped with towers and gates, and a pier was built in the harbor. The classical Oststoa and the Tholos emerged on the agora ; a public well was built north of it. The construction of the Thesmophorion (Thesmophorion 2) on the southern slope of the Acropolis testifies to the ritual renewal. The upswing was ultimately also reflected in private architecture, as evidenced by the splendid houses in the west quarter (House II, IV) or the mosaic house built around 370 (later, probably destroyed by fire in the Chremonideic War of 267–263 BC). Urban renewal was also carried out in the second half of the 4th century BC. Continued with a series of new buildings: in the north of the western quarter, the Doric peripteros of the temple of Dionysus (approx. 350 BC) rose next to the theater, and the gymnasium was built at the southern foot of the acropolis. Iseion, which was built in the southeast of the city at the end of the 4th century, bears witness to the strengthened trade relations between Eretria and Egypt . Most likely in the 4th century BC. The Palaistra also arose northeast of the Iseion.
Eretria under Macedonian influence
With the defeat of the Greeks against the Macedonians in the battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC. The Macedonian influence began in Eretria, first under Philip II of Macedonia (382–336 BC), then under his son Alexander the Great (356–323 BC) and his successors. Between 322 BC BC ( Lamish War ) and 267 BC ( Chremonideic War ) Eretria enjoyed a certain independence under the administration of the philosopher Menedemos (around 345 / 340–263 BC), the founder of the so-called Eretrischen school , which was connected with a renewed cultural bloom: Around 300 BC . The theater was renovated and new bathing facilities were built in the south of the city. In the 2nd Macedonian War , Eretria was defeated in 198 BC. Defeated, conquered and plundered by the Romans . Although some quarters in the city were rebuilt and numerous public buildings such as the theater, the gymnasium, the tholos, the baths, the Iseion and the Palaistra were still in use, Eretria did not reach the heyday of previous centuries.
Eretria in Roman times
As a result of the Achaean War, the Greek cities came under attack in 146 BC. Under Roman control; however, they retained a certain autonomy. Only in the year 27 BC They were incorporated into the Roman Empire through the establishment of the province of Achaea . During the 1st Mithridatic War (87-86 BC) Eretria sided with the king of Pontus , Mithridates VI. (around 130–63 BC), and was subject to the army of the Roman general L. Cornelius Sulla (138–78 BC). Based on the archaeological findings, it can be assumed that Eretria was founded in 86 BC. Was destroyed to a certain extent. After Eretria was subordinated to the rule of Athens by Marcus Antonius (around 82-30 BC), the city was in 21 BC. . BC by Emperor Augustus (.. 63 v BC-14 AD.) Partial autonomy granted that you should help an economic boom: Near the mosaic house numerous workshops emerged that on the intersection of two main streets for the emperor worship certain Sebasteion, the gymnasium and the theater were repaired. Between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD, Eretria seems to have been only a modest spot at the foot of the Acropolis , the necropolises at that time were in the vicinity of the classical agora . Although Eretria still existed until the end of the 2nd century. AD, the political and economic center gradually shifted to Porthmos (Aliveri).
Eretria in late antique times
The late antiquity is not exactly tangible in Eretria. After a strong earthquake in 365, the place seems to have been sparsely populated and was abandoned after the earthquake of 511 at the latest. With the exception of a few remains of the wall, a building, a fountain and a fragment of a choir screen, which indicates the existence of a church in the area of the Temple of Apollo , the structure of the settlement is largely in the dark according to the current state of research. It can be assumed that numerous older buildings continued to be used. On the other hand, some tombs along the ancient streets and at crossings and in the immediate vicinity of the ancient temples are better known: in the area of the Sebasteion, which was destroyed by Christians between the 4th and 6th centuries, and in the vicinity of the Sanctuary of Apollo.
Eretria today
Modern Eretria was re-established after Greek independence and is now a popular vacation spot. The Swiss Archaeological School in Greece, which is carrying out the excavations of ancient Eretria, has opened an archaeological museum showing finds from the excavations of Eretria and Lefkandi .
The place can be reached from Attica by ferry or via Chalkida by car. It is an important stop on the way to the south of the island of Evia with many taverns and an extensive beach promenade. The archaeological excavations are on the northern outskirts.
structure
With the incorporation of the neighboring community Amarynthos , the community area was expanded considerably. Eretria is now divided into 2 municipal districts, each with three urban districts and local communities (population figures from the results of the 2011 census):
- Amarynthos municipality - Δημοτική Ενότητα Αμαρύνθο - 6,723 inhabitants
- Amarynthos district - Δημοτική Κοινότητα Αμαρύνθου - 3,672 inhabitants
- Amarynthos - Αμάρυνθος - 3,647 inhabitants
- Galazia Nera - Γαλάζια Νερά - 25 inhabitants
- Gymno district - Δημοτική Κοινότητα Γυμνού - 2,033 inhabitants
- Gymno - Γυμνο - 2,008 inhabitants
- Metamorfosi - Μεταμόρφωση - 22 inhabitants
- Local community Ano Vathia - Τοπική Κοινότητα Άνω Βάθειας - 468 inhabitants
- Ano Vathia - Άνω Βάθεια - 372 inhabitants
- Koukaki - Κουκάκι - 83 inhabitants
- Agios Nikolaos Monastery - Μονή Αγίου Νικολάου - 13 inhabitants
- Local community Kallithea - Τοπική Κοινότητα Καλλιθέας
- Kallithea - Καλλιθέα - 458 inhabitants
- Local community Seta - Τοπική Κοινότητα Σέτας - 92 inhabitants
- Seta - Σέτα - 60 inhabitants
- Kato Seta - Κάτω Σέτα - 32 inhabitants
- Amarynthos district - Δημοτική Κοινότητα Αμαρύνθου - 3,672 inhabitants
- Municipality of Eretria - Δημοτική Ενότητα Ερέτριας - 6,330 inhabitants
- Municipality of Eretria - Δημοτική Κοινότητα Ερέτριας
- Agia Triada - Αγία Τριάδα (uninhabited island)
- Eretria - Ερέτρια - 4,166 inhabitants
- Gerondas - Γέροντας - 4 inhabitants
- Magoula - Μαγούλα - 1,063 inhabitants
- Malakonda - Μαλακώντα - 1,097 inhabitants
- Municipality of Eretria - Δημοτική Κοινότητα Ερέτριας
References
- ↑ a b Results of the 2011 census at the National Statistical Service of Greece (ΕΛ.ΣΤΑΤ) ( Memento from June 27, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) (Excel document, 2.6 MB)
- ↑ On the architectural decoration of the Temple of Apollo see Dietrich von Bothmer : Amazons in Greek Art. Oxford 1957, p. 125 ff .; Martin Robertson : A History of Greek Art. (1975) pp. 163-164; on the polychromy of building sculptures see Vinzenz Brinkmann : The polychromy of archaic and early classical sculpture. Munich 2003, cat.-no. 224-227; Vinzenz Brinkmann (ed.): Colorful gods. Catalog for the exhibition in the Liebieghaus sculpture collection. Frankfurt am Main 2008, p. 63, Fig. 20.
- ↑ Herodotus , Historien 6,100-101
- ↑ Herodotus 6,119. According to Apollonius of Tyana , the number of Eretrians was 780. Cf. Flavius Philostratos , Das Leben des Apollonius 1, 24.
- ^ Pavilion of the House of the Mosaics ( English ) Anthropole. Archived from the original on February 19, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- ↑ Online presentation of the stratigraphic dating of the Koilon of the Theater of Eretria . Faculty of the University of Zurich Chair of Classical Archeology. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- ↑ Ferdinand Pajor, Eretria - Nea Psara. A classicist city layout above the ancient polis ( memento of the original from October 23, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , Eretria, excavations and research, Volume XVIII, Infolio édition, Gollion, 2006. ISBN 2-88474-404-5
- ^ Museum and site ( English ) Anthropole. Archived from the original on June 6, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
literature
- École Suisse d'Archéologie en Grèce, Eretria. A guide to the ancient city , Infolio editions , Gollion, 2004. ISBN 2-88474-112-7
- Eretria. Excavations and research , publication of the Swiss Archaeological School in Greece.
- Keith G. Walker: Archaic Eretria. A political and social history from the earliest times to 490 BC. Routledge, London 2004. ISBN 0-415-28552-6
- dug up! Swiss archaeologists are exploring the Greek city of Eretria. An exhibition by the Swiss Archaeological School in Greece in collaboration with the Antikenmuseum Basel and the Ludwig Collection. Schwabe, Basel, 2010. ISBN 978-3-7965-2670-1 .
Web links
- Eretria The website of the Swiss Archaeological School about the excavations in Eretria
- Perseus - Eretria Links to texts and images about ancient Eretria
- Greek Ministry of Culture
- dug up! Swiss archaeologists are exploring the Greek city of Eretria website for the exhibition in the Antikenmuseum Basel and the Ludwig Collection, September 22, 2010 to January 30, 2011