Five fortifications of the 7th – 9th century on the north coast of Samos. A contribution to the architecture of fortifications of the transitional years in the Aegean

Postgraduate Thesis uoadl:2662364 845 Read counter

Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Βυζαντινή Αρχαιολογία
Library of the School of Philosophy
Deposit date:
2018-02-20
Year:
2018
Author:
Delli Georgia
Supervisors info:
Μαρία Κωνσταντουδάκη – Κιτρομηλίδου, Ομότιμη Καθηγήτρια Βυζαντινής Αρχαιολογίας, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
Πλάτων Πετρίδης, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής Βυζαντινής Αρχαιολογίας, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθήνών
Σταύρος Μαμαλούκος, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Αρχιτεκτόνων, Πανεπιστήμιο Πατρών
Original Title:
Πέντε οχυρώσεις του 7ου - 9ου αιώνα στη βόρεια ακτή της Σάμου. Συμβολή στην οχυρωματική αρχιτεκτονική των μεταβατικών χρόνων στο Αιγαίο
Languages:
Greek
Translated title:
Five fortifications of the 7th – 9th century on the north coast of Samos. A contribution to the architecture of fortifications of the transitional years in the Aegean
Summary:
Samos, island of the north east Aegean, is basically known for her ancient history and architecture. However, her byzantine period presents great interest as well. From the 4th to the 6th century Samos is prosperous and her connection with Constantinople is demonstrated by the decoration of the great basilicas of the island. As urban centre remained from antiquity the town of Samos, nowadays known as Pythagoreio. In the 7th century however, this image changed due to the first attack on the island the year 623 by the Persians. The year 665/666, Samos is under attack again, this time by the Arabs, whom at this time threaten all the Aegean sea. The interest that emperor Theofilos (829 – 842) showed for the island is really important for its history. An inscription of Theofilos on the byzantine walls of Pythagoreio along with three lead seals of stratigos of themes Dyrraxio, Greece and Ko, all of the same period, show the plan that Theofilos had to reconquer Crete from the Arabs. Theofilos apparently set Samos as a base for this campaign. Finally, in the 10th century Nikiforos Fokas used Samos also as a base for his victorious campaign against Crete in the year 961.
The fortifications on the north coast are placed in this time period and are in order from West to East: Kastraki in the area of Potami near Karlovassi, Castle at the area Kastrovouni, Castle of Lazaros, Castle of Loulouda and the fortification of Profitis Ilias. Those fortifications preserve little evidence of their existence and as a result their study is problematic. Their first approach and based on the evidence so far, shows that they must be dated between the 7th and 9th century. As for their character it seems that the Castle in the area Kastrovouni and the Castle of Lazaros were built in order to protect the population of the north coast. On the othr hand it seems that the fortification of Profitis Ilias had a defensive character, while the Castle of Loulouda might had both defensive and military use. Finally, the Kastraki in the area of Potami near Karlovassi was used for the protection of the monks of the monastery that lais beneath.
Main subject category:
Archaeology
Keywords:
Samos, castles, 7th century,fortifications, 9th century, Arabs
Index:
No
Number of index pages:
0
Contains images:
Yes
Number of references:
118
Number of pages:
102
Πέντε οχυρώσεις του 7ου - 9ου αιώνα στη βόρεια ακτή της Σάμου. Συμβολή στην οχυρωματική αρχιτεκτονική των μεταβατικών χρόνων στο Αιγαίο..pdf (3 MB) Open in new window