Unit:
Department of History and Archaeology
Title:
The Agora of Gytheion, Annual of the British School at Athens 109 (2014), 357-378.
Languages of Item:
English
Abstract:
The Roman “Agora” of Gytheum appears to be a large compound with an interior peristyle; width is 52 m. and length at least 61 m. Excavations have revealed the remains of the north east corner and a portion of the west wing. The extant architectural blocks allow the reconstruction of the colonnades. Column shafts were made of local red limestone and, at least some of them, were crowned with lotus-and-acanthus capitals. Three different interaxial column spacings are present. A single column must have stood on each corner of the peristyle. The style of the column capital suggests a date after year A.D. 100. The entablature is almost identical both in style and dimensions with the one found in the Captives’ Façade at Corinth. The inscription on two epistyles reveals the private dedication of an exedra to theoi Sebastoi and the city. Most probably the exedra was behind the colonnaded space; the mention of theoi Sebastoi might suggest imperial cult in either the exedra alone or both in the exedra and in the entire colonnaded compound. Quite possibly, and following A. Themos’ suggestion, the large colonnaded compound that is conventionally termed the “Agora” can be identified with the Sebasteion/Caesareion of Gytheum; this latter structure is attested in other inscriptions from the city.
Authors:
CHRYSANTHOS KANELLOPOULOS
ELENA ZAVOU
Publisher:
British School at Athens
Keywords:
GYTHEION, ROMAN AGORA, KAISERSAAL
Main subject category:
Archaeology
