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Ancient Corinth (Κόρινθος) is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. It’s easily visited on a day trip from Athens.
History of Ancient Corinth
Corinth was settled as far back as 6500 BC. By 400 BC, it was one of the largest and most important cities in Greece, with a population of around 90,000. The Romans destroyed Corinth in 146 BC and rebuilt it in 44 BC. They made the city the provincial capital of Greece.
Corinth began to decline in the 6th century and the Ottomans captured it in 1458. It was ruled by the Venetians between 1687 and 1715, and remained under Ottoman control until the Greek Revolution in 1821. Corinth was then considered a candidate for the capital city of Greece.
In 1858, the village surrounding the ruins of Ancient Corinth was destroyed by an earthquake. It was abandoned after nearly 3,000 years, and the new city of Corinth was founded 3 kilometers to the northeast. Archaeological excavations have been ongoing since 1896. They’re led by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens.
Ancient Corinth as a Christian Site
Corinth is also an important Christian site. Paul the Apostle established Christianity in the city in 52 before moving on to Ephesus. He wrote his First and Second Epistle to the Corinthians after learning of immoral behavior and jealousy in Corinth.
Visiting Ancient Corinth
The archaeological site is open daily. It doesn’t cover a large area so it can easily be seen in an hour. Admission from April 1 through October 31, is at the full rate of €8, and from November 1 through March 31, it’s at a 50% reduced rate of €4 (as of October 2024). Upon presentation of a passport or valid travel document: all visitors up to the age of 5 and EU citizens from age 6-25 are admitted free of charge; and EU seniors over age 65 and non-EU citizens from age 6-25 are admitted at the 50% reduced rate (summer months only). Admission includes entry to the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth. Check the official website for more info.
Theatre of Ancient Corinth
First, from the parking lot I was able to spot the theatre. It’s an ongoing excavation and not open to the public, but you can make out the stage and the curve of the seating area.
The first theatre was built on the slope of a natural hill around the 5th century BC. It could hold 18,000 spectators. It was rebuilt in the 1st century and renovated in the 2nd century. In the 3rd century, it was turned into a venue for gladiator and animal fights. After an invasion by Alaric I (c. 370-411) in 396, the theatre was never used again.
Odeon of Ancient Corinth
Across the street from the entrance is the Roman odeon, which is not open to the public. It was built in the late 1st century and could hold 3,000 people for musical and rhetorical contests. The odeon was renovated in the 2nd century, probably by a donation from Herodes Atticus (101-177). In 225, it was converted to an arena for animal fights and duels. The odeon was abandoned after the invasion by Alaric I.
Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth
Next, after passing through the entrance to the site, is the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth. It’s a great place to get an overview of Ancient Corinth before exploring the ruins.
The museum was built between 1931 and 1932 by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. The architect was W. Stuart Thompson (1890-1968) and it was funded by a donation from American art collector Ada Small Moore (1858-1955).
The museum displays finds from prehistoric through the Byzantine and Frankish periods, including pottery and tools. There’s a large collection of Roman statues in the atrium.
Also on display are finds from an Early Christian period cemetery and a synagogue dated to the late Roman period as well as stone tablets with Greek and Latin inscriptions .
Temple E
Behind the museum is Temple E. It was originally built in the early 1st century in the Doric order. In the late 1st century, it was rebuilt in the Corinthian order with six columns along the short sides and 12 along the long sides. It may have been dedicated to Octavia (c. 66 – 11 BC), the sister of Augustus.
Glauke Fountain
The path through the ruins begins with the Glauke Fountain, which was a large cubic mass of limestone that formed when the surrounding bedrock was quarried away.
The fountain was named after the mythological figure Glauke, the daughter of Creon and second wife of Jason. Jason’s first wife, Medea, became jealous and gave Glauke a poisoned cloak. Glauke threw herself into the fountain in an attempt to stop the poison from burning her.
The Glauke Fountain is not fed by a natural spring as are other fountains in Ancient Corinth. Water was piped in from other sources.
Temple of Apollo
Before entering the Agora is the Temple of Apollo. It was built around 530 BC to replace an older temple built a century earlier. The temple was of the Doric order and originally had 6 columns on each end and 15 on the sides. Only seven columns stand today.
Agora of Ancient Corinth
The Agora, or Roman Forum, was the heart of Ancient Corinth. It was rectangular in shape, measuring 160 meters by 70 meters. It contained shops on the north, west, south, and in the center. There were also several small temples. Before being converted to the Agora, the space served as a stadium and race track.
West End of the Agora
In front of the West Shops were a series of small temples. They were built by the Romans in the 1st and 2nd centuries. The temples consist of Temple F (Venus Genetrix), Temple G (Apollo of Klaros), Temple H (probably dedicated to Heracles), Temple J (probably dedicated to Poseidon), the Monument of Babbius Philinus, Temple D, and Temple K (probably dedicated to Tyche).
Northwest Shops
The Northwest Shops consisted of 16 small buildings. The central building had a vaulted roof and was later used as a church. In front of the shops on the east side was the Sacred Spring, which dates back to the 8th century BC.
Bema
The Bema sits in the middle of the Central Shops. It was a large elevated pedestal from which Roman officials would address the public.
Paul the Apostle stayed in Ancient Corinth for a year and a half. During that time he was accused by the city’s Jews for illegal teachings and put on trial. The trial took place at the Bema in front of Roman proconsul Gallio (c. 5 BC – 65 AD), who dismissed the charges.
The Bema was converted into a three-aisled Christian basilica during the Byzantine period, sometime between the 10th and 12th centuries. It was partially reconstructed from 2007 to 2013.
Heroon of the Crossroads Shrine
The Heroon of the Crossroads Shrine sat in front of the Bema. It was a shrine that contained a grave. Ancient Corinthians may have thought of its occupant as one of their first ancestors.
South Stoa
On the south end of the Agora was the South Stoa. The stoa contained another row of shops and was one of the longest porticoed buildings in ancient Greece. It was built in the late 4th century BC and abandoned by the 6th century. Excavation took place between 1933 and 1948.
The South Stoa was 164 meters long by 25 meters wide. The façade contained 71 Doric columns, with an internal colonnade of 34 Ionic columns. There were 33 two-room units, with the ground floor serving as restaurants and shops. Other buildings on the South Stoa included the Bouleuterion, a fountain house, and the South Basilica. The Bouleuterion dates back to the late 1st century and served as the council house of Ancient Corinth.
Julian Basilica
Finally, on the east side of the Agora was the Julian Basilica. It was built in the early 1st century with limestone. Several statues were displayed in the building, including those of Roman Emperors Augustus, Gaius, Lucius, and Nero. The basilica may have served as a law court and the seat of the Imperial Cult.
Lechaion Road
The Lechaion Road was the main road through Ancient Corinth during the Roman period. It connected the Agora to the Lechaion Harbor on the Gulf of Corinth three kilometers to the north.
The Lechaion Road was unpaved and open to traffic during the reign of Augustus. Under Vespasian, it was pedestrianized and paved with limestone. It was lined with colonnades and pedestals with dedications as well as gutters to carry away rainwater.
A propylaia stood at the main entrance to the road from the Agora. It had three arches and was built in the 1st century. The gilded bronze chariots of Helios and Phaethon stood on top. The Lechaion Road began to decline in importance in the 10th century and was completely abandoned after an earthquake in 1858.
Peirene Fountain
On the east side of the propylaia was the Peirene Fountain. It was originally built over a natural spring in the 2nd century BC. It included six chambers, three pumping basins, and four cisterns.
The Peirene Fountain was rebuilt by the Romans in the 1st century BC, enclosing it within a large rectangular courtyard. East and west apses were added later, and a three-niche courtyard building was constructed in the late 4th century. The Byzantines built a small church on the southwest corner.
There are two myths regarding the origin of the spring. The first claims Peirene, the lover of Poseidon, melted into tears after Artemis accidentally killed her son Cenchrias. The other myth says that the spring was created when the winged horse Pegasus struck the ground with his hoof after being bridled by Bellerophon.
East Side of the Lechaion Road
On the east side of the Lechaion Road are the ruins of a few structures. Directly north of the Peirene Fountain was Temple A, which was built by the Greeks. Next to it was the Peribolos of Apollo, which was constructed in the 1st century. It was an open courtyard enclosed by a marble colonnade and used as a commercial market. On the northeast side were the Baths of the Spartan Eurycles, which were built in the 2nd century.
West Side of the Lechaion Road
On the west side of the Lechaion Road are the ruins of 16 small shops as well as a Roman basilica built in the 1st or 2nd century. North of the basilica was a commercial market.
Exit at Ancient Corinth
Finally, after exiting the complex from the north end of the Lechaion Road, there are souvenir shops, restaurants, and cafés on the road back to the parking lot.
