Teichos Dymaion

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Teichos Dymaion - part of the northern fortification wall

Teichos Dymaion ( ancient Greek Τεῖχος Δυμαίων , wall and fortress of the Dymaier '), also Kastro tis Kalogrias ( Greek Κάστρο της Καλόγριας ) (, nuns Castle') or locally to Kastro tou Nonnou called, is a prehistoric to medieval settlement and fortress on Cape Axaros on the floor of the municipality of Dytiki Achaia in the northwest of the Peloponnese . The name "Teichos Dymaion", which is common in modern research, was probably used as early as the Hellenistic period . The place was already in the 3rd millennium BC. Of greater importance and was used at least as a fortress until the Venetian period . The settlement was most important in the late Mycenaean period . During this was around 1300 BC. A strong fortification wall was built, which was also used as a fortress in Byzantine times and was partially expanded. The site is named after the name of a castle "Teichos Dymaion", which is documented in ancient sources and with which the Acropolis is identified. In the Hellenistic and Roman times, it probably belonged to the territory of Dyme .

Geographical location

Teichos Dymaion is located a few hundred meters south of the modern town of Araxos and about one kilometer northwest of Araxos airport , on the northern edge of the Prokopios lagoon ( Limni Strofilia ), on a 40-50 meter high hill that stands out from the surrounding landscape. From this you can see both the Gulf of Patras in the north and the sea towards the Ionian Islands in the west. The place was not only strategically favorable, however; The lagoon and lakes, the sea, good arable land, forests and rocks nearby provided both sufficient food and building materials.

Research history

The first systematic excavations took place from 1962 to 1966 under the direction of Efthymios Mastrokostas, who published the results only incompletely in preliminary reports and never finally published them. Further excavations took place again between 1998 and 2009 under Lazaros Kolonas.

Surname

Teichos Dymaion was to Polybius , a castle of the settlement, region or Polis called Dyme that Euripas during the Social War v in 219th Chr. Took. Polybios' descriptions of the location of this fortress fit very well with the site. The identification with this was confirmed by the discovery of a roof tile fragment bearing a stamp from Dyme. From this it can be deduced that the settlement belonged to the area of ​​Dyme.

mythology

Polybios just recounts a legend according to which Teichos Dymaion was built by Herakles when he waged war against the Eleians to use it as a weapon place . Homer does not mention the settlement in his epics, even in the ship catalog of the Iliad no named place can be connected with it, although in Homer's time it was widely visible and possibly inhabited with its mighty Mycenaean fortification walls. According to Edzard Visser , the most plausible explanation for this is that Homer did not know this region well.

Settlement history

Bronze age

There are traces of human activities on the hill from the last phase of the Neolithic (4th millennium BC). A first larger settlement existed in the Early Helladic (approx. 3300–2000 BC). Already at that time there seems to have been trade with distant regions: Similar to Olympia , vessel fragments were discovered in Teichos Dymaion that can be assigned to the Cetina culture of the western Balkans. These and other findings suggest trade relations with the central and eastern Mediterranean region at that time.

Even during the Middle Helladic period (approx. 2000–1600 BC) the place remained inhabited. In the course of the Late Helladic period , the importance of Teichos Dymaion grew. From the Late Helladic IIB (15th century BC) the region belonged to the Mycenaean culture, as the significant increase in Mycenaean finds in Teichos Dymaion shows. Around 1300 BC When the settlement reached its greatest bloom, the settlement hill was protected on three sides by a mighty defensive wall made of cyclops . This fortification, still largely preserved, had three entrances. Finds indicate strong trade activity, especially with the West. Bronze objects of Italian origin were discovered, such as a finger-tongue dagger of the Pertosa type with an ivory-clad handle from the early 12th century BC. B.C. , as well as hand-made smooth ceramic , which probably has its origin in southern Italy. On the other hand, many Mycenaean clay pots found in Apulia and other regions of Italy show strong parallels to northwestern Peloponnesian pieces. This applies to both imported and Italian-made Mycenaean or Mycenaean ceramics (so-called Italo-Mycenaean ceramics ). Even after it was destroyed by fire during SH III C early (approx. 1190 / 80–1150 BC), the place remained settled and was still in lively exchange with the West. In any case, Teichos Dymaion seems to have been affected by the upheavals that many other regions, especially the Mycenaean palace centers, around 1200 BC. Were badly affected, hardly affected or at least recovered very quickly. Another destruction occurred at the end of the period SH III C (around the middle of the 11th century BC).

In contrast to Pylos , Mycenae , Athens , Thebes etc., Teichos Dymaion was during the so-called Mycenaean palace period (14th and 13th centuries BC), according to the prevailing opinion, “certainly not a Mycenaean palace”, but a “local prince's seat”. Linear B script documents and frescoes typical of Mycenaean palaces have not been discovered, nor has any evidence of an extensive palace complex been found. The western part of Achaia probably belonged to the so-called “Mycenaean periphery” of the palace period, ie to the regions in which no palace center developed that ruled a large territory and administered it in a highly organized and centralized manner. Instead, a number of “princely seats” probably continued to exist in the so-called periphery even during the Mycenaean palace period, which ruled only a relatively small area. In addition to Teichos Dymaion, other larger settlements are known in the west of Achaia (e.g. Voundeni near Patras) or can be accessed through large necropolises (e.g. the necropolis of Kalamaki Elaiochorion).

According to recent research results, Teichos Dymaion remained even after its destruction around the middle of the 11th century BC. Populated during the Sub- Mycenaean and Protogeometric Period (approx. 1050–900 BC).

Geometric to Byzantine times

An altar comes from the Geometric period and was used for cult activities at least until the Hellenistic period. However, Teichos Dymaion appears from the 9th to the 5th century BC. According to the excavation results so far, not to have been permanently inhabited. During the Hellenistic period changed Teichos Dymaion hands several times: during the clashes between the Achaean and Aetolian federal government as part of the Social War 220-217 v. It was captured by the Aitolian general Euripidas, but then handed over to the Macedonian king Philip V without a fight , who later returned it to the residents of Dymes.

In Roman times Teichos Dymaion belonged to the Colonia Iulia Augusta Dumaeorum . It may have been inhabited by Roman colonists who settled in the wider area of ​​Dyme. In Byzantine times, the place was relatively heavily populated at times; During the Middle Byzantine period (10th to 12th centuries) the Mycenaean wall was reinforced by some additions, including a tower in the northeast. A wall was also erected across the acropolis, dividing it into two halves. Traces can also be found from the Venetian period, from which some graves were found on the Acropolis. During the Second World War , Italian troops took up positions in the fortress. Their defensive structures caused damage to large parts of the ancient interior that cannot be undone.

Researched development

The Mycenaean defensive wall

Around 1300 BC The settlement was protected by a defensive wall to the northwest, north, east and south-east. The south-western part of the hill is naturally protected by the adjacent lagoon and the steep slope and was not additionally fortified. The wall consisted of large polygonal stone blocks, some of which weigh over 3.5 tons, as well as small stones to fill the spaces in between. It extends over a length of about 295 meters and is 4.50 to 5.50 meters wide. In some places it has been preserved up to a height of 8.40 meters. According to Polybius, it was 30 pitches (30 ancient cubits = 13.80 meters) high in antiquity . It had three entrances, the main entrance ("main gate") was in the south-east and had a bastion-like extension, which was built soon after the wall was built and which strengthened the defense of the main gate. This "bastion" is 8.80 meters long on the northeast side and 9.80 meters on the southeast side and has a width of 4.20 meters. Originally, it consisted in full of the same construction as the wall (Cyclops masonry). In Byzantine times, a large part collapsed. During the subsequent reconstruction of the bastion, thin stone paving slabs, bricks and lime mortar were used above the remaining parts. The corners have now been rounded, but the dimensions of the old bastion were otherwise retained.

The wall was repaired several times in antiquity. a. in the north by medium-sized limestone blocks that were added without mortar.

The development within the wall

The interior development, especially in ancient and prehistoric times, is so far only known to a limited extent, as the investigations in the 1960s were inadequately published and only a few areas could be systematically explored during the excavations between 1998 and 2009.

The remains of an altar are attached directly to the (southeast) main gate. While Mastrokostas assumed that this originated in the Geometric period and that it was only used as a cult site from this point in time until the Hellenistic period, recent finds suggest that cult activities were carried out here at the latest in the Mycenaean period - before the altar was built . The altar consisted of a pedestal , which was supported by a crepe made of unworked, protruding limestone slabs lying on a leveling layer up to 12 centimeters thick. Each step is 0.28 to 0.30 meters high. Behind the altar there are dedicatory inscriptions from the 4th / 3rd centuries on the large blocks of the fortification. Century BC For different deities: Aphetos (epithet of Apoll ), Enyalios , Artemis and probably Aphrodite .

The previous excavations within the walls have mainly concentrated on the northeast of the settlement and, most recently, the area of ​​the northwestern fortifications. While mainly ceramics were found from the Neolithic Age, traces of buildings were also found from the Early Helladic. Towards the end of the Late Helladic, around 2000 BC. BC, the settlement was destroyed. From the following Middle Helladic period (approx. 2000–1600 BC) mainly ceramics were brought to light, but only minor traces of wall foundations. In the Mycenaean period, the north-western part of the settlement was densely built. Remnants of some small one or two-room buildings have been discovered that were at least partially used as storage rooms. Narrow streets ran between these. The Mycenaean settlement phases in the two areas examined extended over more than three centuries and completely covered at least the last two Mycenaean phases (Late Helladic III B and C, approx. 1300-1040 BC). After being destroyed by fire in the early 12th century BC The settlement was immediately rebuilt. Only after another destruction around the middle of the 11th century BC At the end of the Mycenaean period, the place was possibly temporarily abandoned and from the 9th century BC. For centuries it was only used sporadically or at least not so heavily. From the Hellenistic period (323–146 BC) some building remains and a lot of ceramics come from the area northwest of the main gate.

During the Byzantine period, not only was the defensive wall repaired, but a new wall was also built, dividing the hill into two parts. The purpose of this measure is still unclear. Traces of graves were found from the Venetian period.

Surroundings

Some building remains and Mycenaean ceramics were found south of the settlement mound. This settlement is likely to be directly connected to Teichos Dymaion.

literature

  • Lazaros Kolonas: Teichos Dymaion. Athens 2009, ISBN 978-960-6878-28-2 .
  • Michalis Gazis: Teichos Dymaion, Achaea. An acropolis-harbor of the Ionian Sea looking westwards. in: ΗΣΠΕΡΟΣ / HESPEROS. The Aegean seen from the west. 16th International Aegaean Conference University of Ioannina, 18-21 May 2016, Abstracts, p. 27.

Web links

Commons : Teichos Dymaion  - collection of images, videos and audio files
  • Teichos Dymaion on the website of the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sport (English)

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Lazaros Kolonas: Teichos Dymaion. Athens 2009, p. 6
  2. ↑ Arianna Rizio: L'Assetto topografico degli insediamenti in Acaia tra periodo Miceneo e Submiceneo. In: A. Mazarakis Ainian: The "Dark Ages" revisted. Acts of an international Symposium in memory of William DE Coulson. University of Thessaly Volos, June 14-17, 2007, Volume 1, University of Thessaly Press, Volos 2011. p. 378.
  3. ↑ Kolonas 2009, p. 7
  4. ↑ Arianna Rizio: L'Assetto topografico degli insediamenti in Acaia tra periodo Miceneo e Submiceneo. In: A. Mazarakis Ainian: The "Dark Ages" revisted. Acts of an international Symposium in memory of William DE Coulson. University of Thessaly Volos, June 14-17, 2007, Volume 1, University of Thessaly Press, Volos 2011. p. 378.
  5. ↑ u. a. Efthymios Mastrokostas: Ανασκαφή Τείχους Δυμαίων. PAE 1962, pp. 127-133; PAE 1963, pp. 93-98, PAE 1964, pp. 60-67; Efthymios Mastrokoastas: Τείχος Δυμαίων. Το Έργον της Αρχαιολογικής Εταιρείας 1966, pp. 156-165.
  6. ↑ On Dyme and a possible synoikism that Dyme gave rise to according to some ancient sources, see Mogens Herman Hansen , Thomas Heine Nielsen: An Inventory of Archaic and Classical Poleis. Oxford University Press, Oxford 2004, pp. 481 f.
  7. ↑ Polybios 4, 59, 4; 4, 83, 1.
  8. ↑ Polybios 4:59, 4
  9. ↑ Edzard Visser: Homer's catalog of ships. BG Teubner, Stuttgart and Leipzig 1997, p. 572 f.
  10. ↑ Reinhard Jung: ΧΡΟΝΟΛΟΓΙΑ COMPARATA. Comparative chronology of southern Greece and southern Italy from approx. 1700/1600 to 1000 BCE Vienna 2006, p. 204.
  11. ↑ Reinhard Jung also comes to this conclusion - and that most of the handmade smooth ceramics in central and southern Greece can be combined with Italy: ΧΡΟΝΟΛΟΓΙΑ COMPARATA. Comparative chronology of southern Greece and southern Italy from approx. 1700/1600 to 1000 BCE Vienna 2006, pp. 21–47, especially pp. 32 ff.
  12. ^ Sigrid Deger-Jalkotzy : Mycenaean forms of rule without palaces and the Greek polis. Aegaeum 12-2, 1995, p. 373
  13. ↑ s. also Birgitta Eder : Considerations on the political geography of the Mycenaean world, or: Arguments for the supra-regional importance of Mycenae in the Late Bronze Age Aegean. In: Geographia Antiqua. XVIII, 2009, pp. 5-46, especially and with reference to the NW Peloponnese, pp. 33 f. On-line.
  14. ↑ Arianna Rizio: L'Assetto topografico degli insediamenti in Acaia tra periodo Miceneo e Submiceneo. In: A. Mazarakis Ainian: The "Dark Ages" revisted. Acts of an international Symposium in memory of William DE Coulson. University of Thessaly Volos, 14-17 June 2007, Volume 1, University of Thessaly Press, Volos 2011. pp. 378 f.
  15. ↑ Kolonas 2009, p. 10.
  16. ↑ Kolonas 2009, p. 12.
  17. ↑ Polybios 4.83.4.
  18. ↑ Kolonas 2009, p. 14.
  19. ↑ Kolonas 2009, p. 19
  20. ↑ Ιannis Moschos, Οι Μυκηναίοι στην Αχαϊα, Φαίδιμος 1. Mycenaeans in Achaea. Society for the Study of Mycenaean Achaea. Faedimos 1st Patras 2007, p. 29.

Coordinates: 38 ° 9 ′ 23 "  N , 21 ° 24 ′ 11"  E