Ancient Corinth

Corinth was a city-state (polis) on the Isthmus of Corinth, the narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnese to the mainland of Greece, roughly halfway between Athens and Sparta. It was one of the largest and most important cities of Greece, with a population of 90,000 in 400 BC.

Corinth was first inhabited in the Neolithic period (c. 5000 BCE) and became more populated around the 10th century BCE. The aristocratic Bacchiadae ruled from c. 750 BCE until the tyrant Cypselus took over in c. 657 BCE, succeeded by his son Periander. Cypselus founded colonies and built a treasury at Delphi, while Corinth's high-quality pottery dominated the market until the 6th century BCE. The city also developed the diolkos, a stone track for transporting ships across the Isthmus of Corinth.

Corinth administered the Panhellenic games from the early 6th century BCE and allied with Sparta around 550 BCE. It participated in the Persian Wars and fought in both the Peloponnesian Wars, suffering heavy losses. Disillusioned with Sparta, Corinth joined an alliance against it in the Corinthian Wars (395-386 BCE).

After losing to Philip II of Macedon in 338 BCE, Corinth became part of the Macedonian Empire and later joined the Achaean League. The city was sacked by the Romans in 146 BCE but revived when Julius Caesar re-founded it in 44 BCE, making it an important trade and administrative center. St. Paul visited Corinth between 51 and 52 CE, establishing it as an early Christian hub. The city declined from the 3rd century CE, suffering attacks by Germanic tribes.

The Archaeological Site

In ancient Corinth there were cults to Aphrodite (protectress of the city), Apollo, Demeter Thesmophoros, Hera, Poseidon, and Helios and various buildings to cult heroes, the founders of the city. In addition, there were several sacred springs, the most famous being Peirene. Unfortunately, the destruction in 146 BCE obliterated much of this religious past.

The site today is dominated by the Doric peripteral Temple of Apollo (c. 550-530 BCE), originally with 6 columns on the façades and fifteen on the long sides. A particular feature of the temple is the use of monolithic columns rather than the more commonly used column drums. Seven columns remain standing today.

Address

Corinth, Greece

Details

Founded: 9th century BCE
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Greece