Listed 4 sub titles with search on: Information about the place for destination: "DIMITRIAS Ancient city MAGNESSIA".
A city of Magnesia. It was founded in ca. 293 B.C. by Demetrios Poliorketes
as a synoecism, according to Strabo (9.436, 443), of Neleia, Pagasai, Ormenion,
Rhizus, Sepias, Boibe, lolkos, and probably Kasthanaie. From inscriptions we learn
that Spalauthra, Korope, Halos, Aiole, Homolion were absorbed into it then or
later. Demetrias was then and through the 3d c. B.C. a strong point and harbor
for the Antigonids. In 196 B.C. it fell to Rome and in 194 B.C. was made head
of the Magnesian League (Livy 34.51.3). With inside help it fell to the Aitolians
in 192 B.C. (Livy 35.34) and was used by Antiochus III until his retreat from
Greece. The confused city was retaken by Philip V of Macedon in 191 B.C. (Livy
36.33) and remained in Macedonian control until the battle of Pydna in 167 B.C.,
when its fortifications were destroyed. It continued, however, as head of the
reformed Magnesian League, and flourished through the Roman period, although its
most splendid days were past. It was a bishopric in the Christian period, was
ravaged by the Saracens in the 9th c., and declined until its desertion by 1600.
The city was long thought to be located at Goritza across the way,
but has proved to be, as Strabo (9.436) stated, exactly between Pagasai and Neleia,
indeed it absorbed part of the walled area of Pagasai and probably all of Neleia.
Pagasai is immediately SW of Demetrias and Neleia was probably at the tip of modern
Cape Pevkakia (Tarsanas) within the wall circuit of Demetrias. Demetrias is on
the W shore of the Gulf of Pagasai, 3 km SE of modern Volo. Its wall included
a rocky cape (Pevkakia) jutting E into the gulf and a hill inland to the W. The
low hill of the cape and the higher one inland are separated by a flat valley
through which runs the modern Volo-Halmyros road. Immediately to the S of this
cape is a marsh (Halykes) which may have been the S harbor of the city, and to
the N a bay (N harbor) with a marsh (Bourboulithra) at its W end.
The wall of Demetrias, ca. 7 km in circumference, is fairly well preserved
to several courses high along much of its length; it has largely disappeared along
the shore between the Pevkakia peninsula and the Bourboulithra marsh. The enclosed
acropolis is on a high point (Palatia, 170 m) on the W hill of the city. There
remain 182 projecting towers, more or less evenly spaced along the wall. The wall
and towers consist of a stone socle with mudbrick upper parts, the brick represented
now only by some earth covering. The socle is built of rough-faced rectangular
and trapezoidal blocks laid in more or less regular courses, and varying somewhat
in style depending on the material at hand. It is double with a filling of stones.
In some places the remains of an outer wall (proteichisma) also furnished with
towers (included in the 182) may be seen. The wall must date from the early 3d
c. B.C. A few of the towers at the SW end of the city were hastily enlarged, perhaps
at some time between 192 and 191 B.C. in connection with the Aitolian takeover,
or Antiochus' use of the city, or in the disturbed period after his departure.
These towers included painted grave stelai from a necropolis immediately outside
the original wall.
Several buildings are visible within the circuit. No comprehensive
excavations have ever been carried out, although in the early part of the century
Arvanitopoullos excavated here and there (including the stelai towers) and some
areas have been cleared or recleared recently.
The civic center of the ancient city seems to have been at least partly
at the base of the peninsula. Here are the foundations of a temple, perhaps originally
peripteral, excavated in 1908 and recently cleared. It is attributed to Artemis
lolkia, and apparently dates to the early 3d c. B.C. Remains of its peribolos
wall can be seen to the N and S of it. It appears that at least on the W side
the precinct was bounded by a stoa. Within the peribolos was a Sacred Market,
known from inscriptions. Just N of this is a large (54 x 55 m) building with a
square central peristyle court surrounded by rooms. Stahlin thought this was a
market, but by analogy with, e.g., the Macedonian palace at Verghina it has recently
tentatively been identified as the Antigonid palace known to have been built at
Demetrias. Partially excavated and recently cleared, it is dated to the first
half of the 3d c. B.C. West of this is a flat area with the remains of a terrace
wall at its W side. On the peninsula are various other ruins, including a shrine
of Pasikrata excavated by Arvanitopoullos. Some remains of the ancient harbor
may be seen. At the tip of the peninsula recent excavations have uncovered numerous
Mycenaean remains, probably those of Neleia, and some Hellenistic remains, notably
those of a purple-dye factory.
The ancient theater lay at the foot of the W hill, just across the
valley from the Macedonian palace (?). It was partially excavated early in the
century, and finally cleared in 1958 and 1959. The edge of the orchestra was discovered,
and the first row of seats. The theater apparently dates from the period of the
city's foundation. Only the foundations of the Hellenistic proskenion remain.
The fairly well-preserved skene is of the Late Roman period. North of the theater
are two large hollow areas, and some ancient remains including washbasins. It
is presumed the hippodrome and stadium were here. On the N harbor there is a modern
lighthouse. Near this in 1912 were discovered the poros foundations of a temple.
The main Late Roman and Christian settlement was evidently in the
flat valley by the N harbor. Here are numerous wall remains, the foundations of
a basilica, etc. Seventy-six piers of a Roman Imperial aqueduct (now called Dontia,
teeth) cross the valley from just S of the theater. In 1962 an Early Christian
(late 4th c. B.C.) basilica was excavated above the S harbor of the city.
There are few remains to be seen on the city's W hill. Above the theater
is a not completely understood building partially cleared in 1961. This is a complex
of rooms and terraces with a rough surrounding wall, and a roadway leading to
an entrance, perhaps with propylon, on the W side. There was an altar in the center
of the complex. Stahlin suggested the Macedonian palace might have been here,
but at present this building is considered to be a shrine.
The finds from Demetrias are mainly in the Museum of Volo; some of
the objects from tombs are in the Stathatos Collection in the National Museum
of Athens. Perhaps the most notable group of objects is that of the painted grave
stelai from the towers. Numbering ca. 400 and dating mainly from the 3d c. B.C.,
they are of marble, painted with encaustic, generally with farewell scenes, or
single or grouped figures. Most are faded; a few retain considerable color.
T. S. Mackay, ed.
This text is from: The Princeton encyclopedia of classical sites,
Princeton University Press 1976. Cited Nov 2002 from
Perseus Project URL below, which contains bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
nbsp; A town in Magnesia in Thessaly, on the innermost recesses of the Pagasaean Gulf, founded by Demetrius Poliorcetes, and peopled by the inhabitants of Iolcus and the surrounding towns. Its position was such that it was styled by the last Philip of Macedon one of the three fetters of Greece, the other two being Chalcis and Corinth.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
Eth. Demetrieus. A city of Magnesia in Thessaly, situated at the head
of the Pagasaean gulf, was founded about. B.C. 290 by Demetrius Poliorcetes, who
removed thither the inhabitants of Nelia, Pagasae, Ormenium, Rhizus, Sepias, Olizon,
Boebe and lolcos, all of which were afterwards included in the territory of Demetrias.
(Strab. ix.) It soon became an important place, and the favourite residence of
the Macedonian kings. It was favourably situated for commanding the interior of
Thessaly, as well as the neighbouring seas; and such was the importance of its
position that it was called by the last Philip of Macedon one of the three fetters
of Greece, the other two being Chalcis and Corinth. (Pol. xvii. 11; Liv. xxxii.
37.) Leake remarks that it may have been recommended to the kings of Macedonia
as a residence not more for its convenience as a military and naval station in
the centre of Greece, than for many natural advantages, in some of which it seems
to have been very preferable to Pella. The surrounding seas and fertile districts
of Thessaly supplied an abundance of the necessaries and luxuries of life: in
summer the position is cool and salubrious, in winter mild, even when the interior
of Thessaly is involved in snow or fog. The cape on which the town stood commands
a beautiful view of the gulf, which appears like an extensive lake surrounded
by rich and varied scenery; the neighbouring woods supply an abundance of delightful
retreats, embellished by prospects of the Aegaean sea and its islands, while Mount
Pelion might at once have afforded a park, an icehouse, and a preserve of game
for the chase.
After the battle of Cynoscephalae, B.C. 196, Demetrias was taken away
from Philip, and garrisoned by the Romans. (Pol. xviii. 28; Liv. xxxiii. 31.)
In B.C. 192, it was surprised by the Aetolians; and the news of its defection
from the Romans determined Antiochus to defer no longer his departure to Greece.
(Liv. xxxv. 34, 43.) After the return of Antiochus to Asia in B.C. 191, Demetrias
surrendered to Philip, who was allowed by the Romans to retain possession of the
place. (Liv. xxxvi. 33.) It continued in the hands of Philip and his successor
till the over-throw of the Macedonian monarchy at the battle of Pydna, B.C. 169.
(Liv. xliv. 13.) Demetrias is mentioned by Hierocles in the sixth century.
The ancient town is described by Leake as occupying the southern or
maritime face of a height, now called Goritza, which projects from the coast of
Magnesia, between 2 and 3 miles to the southward of the middle of Volo. Though
little more than foundations remains, the inclosure of the city, which was less
than 2 miles in circumference, is traceable in almost every part. On three sides
the walls followed the crest of a declivity which falls steeply to the east and
west, as well as towards the sea. To the north the summit of the hill, together
with an oblong space below it, formed a small citadel, of which the foundations
still subsist. A level space in the middle elevation of the height was conveniently
placed for the central part of the city. The acropolis contained a large cistern
cut in the rock, which is now partly filled with earth...Many of the ancient streets
of the town are traceable in the level which lies midway to the sea, and even
the foundations of private houses: the space between one street and the next parallel
to it, is little more than 15 feet. About the centre of the town is a hollow,
now called the lagumi or mine, where a long rectangular excavation in the rock,
2 feet wide, 7 deep, and covered with flat stones, shows by marks of the action
of water in the interior of the channel that it was part of an aqueduct, probably
for the purpose of conducting some source in the height upon which stood the citadel,
into the middle of the city. (Leake, Northern Greece, vol. iv. p. 375, seq.)
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited May 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
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