Enjoy – Carl

Long Section of the Diolkos located on a Greek Army Base north of the Corinthian Canal

In late April 2012, we had a chance to explore a seldom-visited portion of the ancient diolkos that is located on the isthmus that connects the Greek mainland with the Peloponnese.  This portion has been excavated and is very well preserved.

Map of the Peloponnese and Location of Corinth and the Diolkos

The Diolkos [Greek meaning “haul across”] was a paved “road” that connected the Corinthian and Saronic Gulfs before the Corinthian Canal was dug.  It was built because sailing around the southern tip of the Peloponnese was very treacherous.  Strabo, for example, writes ‘But when you sail around Cape Malea, forget your home” (= “you’ll never return!”; viii 6, 20).  The ancients offloaded their cargo, dragged it on wheeled carts across the isthmus from one gulf to the other to the other side of the isthmus, and then loaded it on to another ship.  Small to medium size ships could be transported from gulf to gulf by this method also.

Detail of the Tracks/Ruts that guided the path of the wheels of the vehicles that carried ships and cargo from one gulf to another.

The Diolkos was constructed during the sixth century B.C.  and was in use for over 1,000 years!  It was made of large paving stones and was about 11 to 20 ft. [3.4 to 6 m.] wide. It followed a circuitous route, avoiding high ground if possible, from one side of the isthmus to another.

It is probable that some of the wealth of the nearby Corinth was derived from tolls, tariffs, and servicing the personnel associated with the shipping industry and servicing and maintaining the “road.”

To view additional photos of the diolkos plus additional commentary and a detailed map of its route — Click Here.

From Left to Right: Carl Rasmussen, Voula Kalapoda-Anastassiadas, and our hosts — Military Lecture, Second in Command of the Army Base

Greetings!  I am back after wonderful trip to Turkey, Greece, and Berlin.  During the month of May I will be sharing many new and unique photos that I took on this most recent trip—including a visit to an army base, near Corinth, where a 500 ft. [150 m.], seldom-visited portion of the ancient diolkos has been exposed.

Stone Monument (sarcophagus?) in Konya Museum with a depiction of Jonah and the Fish — Lower portion of the object

In the center note the laurel wreath that surrounds an anchor in the shape of a cross with two fish at its base.  Below it is a depiction of Jonah being swallowed by a large fish—a Christian symbol associated with the resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 12:40).

Besides being interpreted as something similar to the above, the etching on the ossuary has been interpreted as part of a tomb (a nefesh) or a vase of some type (Gordon Franz).  Todd Bolen (Wednesday 29 February 2012) has collected many of the major articles that feature in this discussion.

For more details on the object above Click Here.

Well Preserved Theater at Aspendos

It is situated 28 mi. east of Antalya, 19 mi. east of Perge (visited by Paul and Barnaba), and 9 mi. [14.5 km.] inland (north) of the Mediterranean Sea coast.

After passing into and out of Greek and Persian hands, it submitted to Alexander the Great ca. 333 B.C., but had to pay annual tribute of 5,732 lb. [2,600 kg.] of gold to him! Subsequently it was variously controlled by the Seleucids (Syria) and the Ptolemies (Egypt). During the first and second centuries A.D. significant building activities took place. At the site the theater, aqueduct, and stadium are among the well–preserved remains.

Aqueduct at Aspendos

To view additional images of Aspendos Click Here.

View of the Entrance to the Neo-Hittite Temple at Ain Dara

Ain Dara is located 40 mi. northwest of Aleppo

Ain Dara is a large (60! acre [24 ha.]) tell located in northwestern Syria—40 mi. [65 km.] northwest of Aleppo.  It was occupied from the Chalcolithic (fourth millennium B.C.) to the Ottoman period (A.D. 1517–1917).

One of the most interesting group of finds are a series of temples that existed from roughly 1300 to 740 B.C.  John Monson has argued that this temple exhibits over 60 parallels to Solomon’s Temple as described in the biblical text.

One of the Winged Creatures (Cherub?) Guarding the Entrance to the Temple at Ain Dara

For a great article on the parallels between the temple at Ain Dara and Solomon’s Temple see the article by John Monson “The New ‘Ain Dara Temple: Closest Solomonic Parallel.”  Biblical Archaeology Review vol. 26, no. 3 (May/June, 2000): 20–35, 67.

For additional high resolution images of this important temple, provided by Mark Connally,  Click Here.

Foundational Remains of the Temple of Aphrodite on the Summit of the Acrocorinth

Thus the reputation of Corinth was well–known.  It is not probable that interested persons would climb 1700 feet to the temple of Aphrodite (the goddess of love) to visit a prostitute, but her temple was located there.

The "Fountain House" of the Upper Peirene Spring on the Summit of the Acrocorinth

Besides the several springs (Peirene Fountain, Glauke Fountain, Lerna Spring by the Asclepion) that were located near the site of Corinth itself, there actually was a powerful, not too frequently visited,  spring on the top of the Acrocorinth call the “Upper Peirene Spring.”  The basic remains visible in the image above date to the Hellenistic Period (third to first century BC).

For additional views of the remains of the Temple of Aphrodite Click Here.

For additional views of the Upper Peirene Spring Click Here.

View toward the Acrocorinth

The “Acrocorinth” is the acropolis (citadel) of Corinth.  It is situated to the southwest of the ancient city and rises to an elevation of 1883 ft.  Today it is surrounded by walls that are about 1.8 mi. long.

The Three Gates Guarding the Entrance to the Acrocorinth

The foundations of the fortifications are ancient—going back to the Hellenistic Period.  The current walls were built and rebuilt by the Byzantines, Franks, Venetians, and Ottoman Turks.

To view additional images of the Acrocorinth Click Here.

Terra Cotta Body Parts Found in/near the Temple of Asclepius at Corinth

There they have assemble a large number of terra cotta body parts that were dedicated by persons who had visited the Asclepion at Corinth—but usually groups to not visit the actual site of the Temple of Asclepius.

Foundations (on the right) of the Temple of Asclepius at Corinth

The remains of the Asclepion at Corinth are located about 550 yards [500 m.] north of the theater and the foundations and water sources are well-preserved—although they are not as extensive as those found at Pergamum,

The Asclepion is a place where people came to be healed of their diseases and the complex included temples, dining rooms, bathing facilities, dormitories, and other structures.  Asklepios was actually a deified Greek physician and the symbol of Asklepios is an entwined snake (the same as the modern medical symbol).

To view additional images of the Asclepion at Corinth Click Here.

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