- Corinth is a Port city located on the western side of the four mile wide Isthmus of Corinth in the Region of Corinthia in southern Greece. It is noted for the Corinth Canal built in 1893 CE.
- After the occupation by Rome in 146 BCE, it became an important Port city of the same name and the capital of the Roman Province of Achaea.
History
- The modern city is built 2 miles (3km) northeast of Ancient Corinth when it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1858 CE.
- Ancient Corinth is an archeological site that is currently under excavation.
- Ancient Corinth had two ports, Lechaeum on the Gulf of Corinth and Cenchreae on the Saronic Gulf.
- In November 365 CE, Corinth was destroyed by the earthquake, and by another in 375 CE and then destroyed again by the invasion of Alaric in 396 CE.
- It recovered when it was rebuilt by the Byzantine Empire, but was hit by another earthquake in 856 CE. It became a regular target during the Crusades (1095-1291 CE), and was finally destroyed and abandoned after an earthquake in 1858 CE.
Archeological Site of Ancient Corinth
- Temple of Apollo
- Roman Road (led to the harbour)
- Roman Agora
- Fountain of Peirene
- Bema, where in 52 CE, Paul the Apostle defended himself in front of Gallo, the Roman Governor.
Museums
- Archeological Museum of Ancient Corinth
- Located in the Archeological Site of Ancient Corinth
- The museum holds Roman mosaics and pottery excavated from the site.
The Diolkos
- Ships arriving from Italy and the Adriatic Sea, entered the Corinthian Gulf and at Corinth were pulled out of the water and pushed along a four mile road called the Diolkos. Ships from the Aegean moved in the reverse direction.
- The merchant ships were transported across the four mile wide isthmus in a giant cart on this road with ruts to steer the wheels. It was a type of early railway.
- The Diolkos saved several days sailing around the notoriously dangerous coasts of the Peloponnese. In particular, Cape Matapan and Cape Malea, which were known hazards to sailing ships.
Corinth Canal
- The Corinth Canal is a 4 mile (6km) canal that connects the Adriatic Sea with the Aegean Sea. It is only 70 feet (21m) wide at the base and was completed in 1893 CE. The canal is too narrow for modern commercial shipping and is now used mainly by tour boats.
- However, in 67 CE, a Roman canal parallel to the Diolkos was started by Nero, but work ended when he died in 68 CE, and it was never completed.
Peirene Fountain. Ancient Corinth