Archaeological Site of Delos

The history of the site

  Delos was one the most important Panhellenic sanctuaries, and, according to mythology, the birth-place of Apollo and Artemis. The first evidence of habitation on the island dates from the 3rd millenium BC, and important remains of the Mycenaean period have been uncovered in the area of the sanctuary. In the 7th century BC Delos was already a known Ionic centre because of its religious importance as the birth-place of Apollo.  Athenian influence was initiated on the sanctuary with the first purification of Delos by Peisistratos in 540 BC but it gradually developed into a proper domination lasting - with short intervals - until the end of the 4th century BC, when Delos was finally declared free and independent (314 BC). The independence of the island lasted until 166 BC when the Romans gave it over to the Athenians. The second Athenian domination started with the expulsion of the Delians to Achaia, in the Peloponnese. The declaration of Delos as an "international" harbour by the Romans led to an influx of foreigners who became a significant element of the island's population. The absence of taxes resulted to the concentration of trade activity on the island and, subsequently, to its economic prosperity. The close relations of Delos with Rome, though, was the main reason for its decline. During Mithridates' wars againts the Romans, Delos suffered severe damage in the raids of 88 and 69 BC. Since then, the island's prosperity gradually came to an end. In the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD only a small settlement existed on Delos and, as Christianity had gradually replaced the ancient religion, the island finally lost its importance.
  Delos, however, was a sacred place with splendid buildings and sanctuaries and as such, it was neverforgotten; many references are preserved by travellers who visited the island in the last centuries. Numerous pieces of sculpture were transferred to museums of Greece and abroad, while marbles from the ancient buildings were used as building material by the inhabitants of the nearby islands. Excavations on Delos started in 1873 by the French School of Archaeology at Athens and by 1914 the most significant sections of the ancient site had been uncovered. The years 1958-1975 were also a period of intensive excavations, which continue up to date by the French School of Archaeology. Restricted excavations were also conducted by Greek archaeologists at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1990 Delos was included in the World's Cultural Heritage Sites and Monuments, protected by the UNESCO.

The monuments of the site

  The Agora of the "Hermaistes" or "Competaliastes"
  One of the main markets of the Hellenistic city is an open square directly abutting the Sacred Harbour, paved with large flat stones of gneiss, many of which have post-holes for tents. On the north side lies the Portico of Philip and a small Ionic temple dedicated to Hermes, the god of commerce, while shops and workshops flank the market along the east and south sides. At the centre of the square stand the foundations of two marble monuments (one square and one round), also dedicated to Hermes. Around them, bases of monuments erected by bankers and merchants are to be seen. The whole complex is dated to the last quarter of the 2nd century BC.
  The Temple of the Delians
  The Temple of the Delians or Grand Temple is the latest and largest of the three temples dedicated to Apollo. It is a peripteral Doric temple with six columns on each of the narrow sides and thirteen on each of the long ones. Its construction began in 478 BC but stopped around the middle of the 5th century BC, when the treasury of the Delian League was transferred to Athens. Work was resumed later on, during the period of the Delian independence, but was never actually finished.
  The Minoan Fountain
  The Minoan Fountain, referred to in the inscriptions and identified by a relief bearing a dedication to "Minoan Nymphs", is a public well hewn in the rock. It was covered by a square building, open on the south side, which was flanked by a Doric portico. The water level could be reached by the stone steps on the south side. The fountain was constructed in the second half of the 6th century BC and remained in use for a very long time, until the late Hellenistic period, when it was finally converted into a house.
Terrace of the Lions
  The marble lions, dedicated to Apollo by the Naxians at the end of 7th century BC stand in a row facing eastwards, towards the Sacred Lake. They are reckoned originally to have been sixteen in number, but only five lions and the remains of three more, standing on modern bases, can be seen in situ today. The headless body (the head was restored by a modern copy) of another lion now decorates the Arsenal in Venice. Bordering the west side of the road leading from the harbour in Skardana bay to the temples, they were the eternal guardians of the Sanctuary.
  The Establishment of the Poseidoniasts from Beirut
  It was the club house of an association of Syrian shippers, merchants, bankers, and warehousemen bound up by the desire to retain the kinship relations and the worship of their gods but also for the protection of their commercial interests. It consists of a central peristyle court, around which are arranged various rooms and temples dedicated to Poseidon, Hercules and Rome. Dated to the last quarter of the 2nd century BC.
  The Stoivadeion
  Rectangular platform to the NW of the Sanctuary, containing a statue of Dionysos flanked by two actors impersonating Paposilenoi (now in the Museum). On either side of the platform, a pillar supports a huge phallus, the symbol of Dionysos. The southern pillar, which is decorated with relief scenes from the Dionysiac circle, was erected in ca. 300 BC by a Delian named Karystios in order to celebrate a victorious theatrical performance sponsored by him.
  The Theatre
  The preserved marble theatre was constructed at the beginning of the 3rd century BC and replaced an earlier, wooden one. The upper (epitheatron) and the lower part of the theatre, which are separated by the diazoma, are not concentric. The first row of seats, which was reserved for officials and dignitaries, is followed by twenty-six stone tiers in the lower part and seventeen more in the epitheatron, divided by eight stairways into seven cunei, that could accommodate about 5.500 spectators. In front of the round orchestra, the remains of the stage-building (skene) are to be seen.
  The Temple of Isis
  Small Doric temple within a sanctuary shared by the familiar triad Serapis, Isis and Anubis, located on a high terrace by the foothill of Cynthus. Built at the beginning of the 2nd century BC, it was repaired by the Athenians in 135 BC and still contains the cult statue of the goddess. Isis, known by a variety of cult names, gave people good health and fortune and protected the sailors.
  The Temple of Hera
  Doric temple constructed in around 500 BC; under its cella were revealed the foundations of an earlier temple, dating back to the beginning of the 7th century BC. In the remains of this earlier temple, a large number of Archaic vases and other votive offerings were found (now exhibited in the museum), many of which bear incised votive inscriptions to Hera. The altar of the goddess was erected to the south of the temple.
  The "House of Dionysos"
  The "House of Dionysos", named after the famous mosaic floor depicting Dionysos riding a panther, is a good example of a private residence, dating from the last quarter of the 2nd century BC. A covered passage leads from the entrance to a peristyle court, on which open the rooms of the ground floor. At the centre of the court there is a cistern for the collection of water, covered with a splendid mosaic floor. A stone stairway leads to the elegant private rooms of the upper storey.