Leibethra

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The acropolis of the Leibethra archaeological site

Leibethra ( ancient Greek Λείβηθρα , modern Greek Λίβηθρα Livithra , also in the spelling Leivithra ) was an ancient Macedonian city ​​at the foot of Mount Olympus , near the present day Skotina. Archaeologists found graves from the late Bronze Age (13th - 12th centuries BC ) with rich gifts here.

In addition to Dion , Makrygialos, Pydna and Louloudies , Leibethra is an important representative of the history and archeology of Pieria .

location

Leibethra is located at the eastern foot of Mount Olympus in southern Central Macedonia . It is around four kilometers from the coast, two kilometers north of the village of Skotina and 17 kilometers south of ancient Dion. Both the Acropolis, which reaches a height of 130 m, and the plain in front of the sea are assigned to the place Leibethra. The archaeological site covers an area of ​​150 hectares, of which 1.5 hectares are in the fortified acropolis. It is bordered by the Griva and Kavourolaka rivers, which flow into the Ziliana river.

history

Replica of the ancient winery

Leibethra means "canals" like the Roman toponym Canalia . The excavations so far confirm that the Acropolis was from the 8th to the 1st century BC. Was inhabited. The upstream plain was inhabited at least since the Bronze Age. Around 169 BC BC Romans pitched their army camp in the plain between Heraklion (today Platamonas ) and Leibethra. Coming from Thessaly , they began their campaign from there, which ended in the conquest of Macedonia.

In the 19th century, the French Léon Heuzey correctly determined the location of the ancient Leibethra. In 1914 confirmation was given by his compatriot André Plassart.

Finds from the time of the last settlement date from the years 100 to 30 BC. It is still unclear what ultimately caused the destruction of the settlement. According to the latest findings, it should have been an earthquake, possibly in connection with a subsequent flooding.

Excavations

Oval building

So far, only random samples have been dug on the Acropolis. The vast majority is still untouched. Silver coins of predominantly Macedonian origin, but also from other parts of Greece, were found, as well as smaller clay vessels, large clay storage containers and fragments of metalwork as well as arrow and spearheads. A weight made of lead bears the inscription " ΛΕΙΒΗ " ( LEIBE ).

The acropolis was enclosed by a wall. While the wall on the north side consists of smaller stones, large blocks are layered on top of each other on the south side. The foundations of a tower were exposed on the west side. The shapes of other buildings vary and are built irregularly on narrow streets. The foundations have a remarkable depth and indicate a multi-story construction. The upper walls were made of bricks, the roofs were covered with tiles in the laconic style. Clay storage vessels ( pithoi ) were often embedded in the floors of the houses .

The previously uncovered parts of the Acropolis were covered to protect them, the excavation work is currently suspended. The hill was partially secured against further sliding by means of lattice baskets filled with stones.

In the neighborhood (Voulkani, Vakoufika, Alt Leptokarya and Skotina) graves from the Mycenaean and Iron Ages have been discovered. They contained weapons, tools and clay pots as grave goods. The finds are stored in the Dion Archaeological Museum .

The foundations of a former winery were uncovered in the plain to the east. Built in the middle of the 4th century BC It was destroyed by fire a short time later (beginning of the 3rd century BC). Fragments of an almost 2000 liter clay storage container are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum in Thessaloniki .

The archaeological park of Leivithra

The museum in Leivithra Park

Since the park was dedicated to Orpheus in addition to Olympus , the paths in the park are laid out in the shape of his musical instrument, a lyre .

The park is divided into three areas:

  • Education and recreation area
  • Plants and Myths
  • Forest and environment

The circular route begins on the floor plan of a house that dates back to the Mycenaean period . It was discovered during road works near Platamonas.

This is followed by an oval-shaped house built in the 8th century BC. Chr. Prevailing construction was built. The dimensions of the floor plan are based on a house that was excavated in Krania, at the foot of Platamonas Castle. The foundations are made of stone, the basic structure of wood. The walls were made of a mixture of clay and straw with goat hair worked into the outer layer. The roof was covered with reeds.

The main building of the park is modeled on the ancient winery, the foundations of which were excavated in the plain of Livithra ( Kompoloi ). The development of the region from the Neolithic age to the destruction of the place is shown inside the building .

On the west side, information on the life and work of Orpheus and the Muses is provided in four pavilions; In the immediate vicinity is a small open-air theater that was laid out in the form of an ancient amphitheater. Behind the theater a staircase leads to the excavation site opposite.

Plants can be seen along the paths that play a role in Greek mythology and their meaning is explained on information boards. There is a small educational forest trail on the south-western edge of the park.

The English transcription Leivithra is used on the park's website .

Cultural event

The archaeological park of Leivithra is one of the venues of the Olympos festival . Exhibitions by local artists and associations take place inside and outside the main building. In addition to classical tragedies and comedies, concerts and plays are also performed in the theater.

mythology

According to Greek mythology , Orpheus was buried there, but other sources also report that he was born there or only lived temporarily in Leibethra.

In addition to the poet and musician Orpheus, the place is also associated with the muses .

The Muses lived near springs and were devoted to literature, science, and the fine arts. According to Hesiod , they delighted Zeus with their song. They looked to the past, the present and the future.

Orpheus, son of the muse Kalliope and the Thracian king Oiagros , was born in a cave between Pimpleia (near today's Litochoro) and Leibethra. He was killed by angry women and buried in Leibethra. According to legend, the city was to be destroyed by a wild boar as soon as its bones saw the sun. A careless shepherd moved the cover plate of Orpheus 'grave and the sun shone on Orpheus' bones. As a result, the river Sys (ancient Greek name for the wild boar , biological name : Sus Scrofa) swelled strongly and a flood destroyed the place.

The place is named after the cave of the Libethrian nymphs .

literature

Web links

Commons : Leibethra

Remarks

  1. ↑ Poulaki-Pandermali, Efi. Leivithra . Greek Ministry of Culture, 2008, p. 27.
  2. ↑ Poulaki-Pandermali, Efi. Leivithra . Greek Ministry of Culture, 2008, p. 26.
  3. ↑ Poulaki-Pandermali, Efi. Makedonikos Olympos . Greek Ministry of Culture and Sport, 2013, p. 125.
  4. ↑ https://www.leivithrapark.gr/en/park-of-leivithra/archaeological-information-building/the-macedonian-olympus-from-historic-era-to-recent-times/timeline/
  5. ^ Hesiod, Theogony, lines 29-52
  6. ^ Pausanias 9:30, 4

Coordinates: 40 ° 1 ′ 39 ″  N , 22 ° 32 ′ 22 ″  E