April 24, 2005
April 23 Photos: Nkosi
We started our morning with an introduction to the site of Sikyon by Dr. Yiannis Lolos of the University of Thessaly. Here we are in the theater listening to Dr. Lolos.
Dr. Lolos talks to the group about the ancient settlement and its history.
The ancient theater of Sikyon. The settlement was built in the early 4th century around 303 B.C. It is only partially excavated.
We’re walking, we’re walking.
Stop. Here the group poses inside of a Hellenistic vault. This is one of the first known Greek arches constructed above ground.
We had an amazing view this morning. On the bottom right you can the remains of a bouleterion. Right above that are the remains of a stoa. The mountain you see in the background is Acrocorinth, where we spent yesterday afternoon.
Prof. Rutter patiently stands next to a Roman fountain house located inside of the theater behind the stage building.
Evidence for columns to support a higher wooden square stage which is typical of later Roman stage buildings.
Katherine posing in front of a Roman fountain house located in the Palestra.
After we left Sikyon, we headed for Isthmia. We visited the site and museum. You can see the reconstructed track as well as a few buildings located within the city.
The Isthmian games were held here. In order to control the starts of the track athletes a system was created were one person could control all 16 athletes at once. Here Prof. Rutter stands in a sunken hole and acts as the referee in charge of releasing the gate. Caleb and Laura are the athletes unable to cheat and gain an advantage over their invisible opponents.
Here Jackie poses next to a periranterion. It served as a place to ritually wash ones hands before entering the temple.
A fragmentary piece of glass mosaic. It was found underwater at Isthmia. There are several of the large fragments displayed in the museum.
Our last stop of the day, Perachora. Located at a natural harbor it once housed a temple to Hera. A large cistern and bouleterion indicate that this was also a popular settlement.