The key to Hermione? Notes on an inscribed monument

The preliminary results of a survey of ancient Hermione (epichoric Hermion) are presented in this paper. The survey was conducted during three short campaigns over the period 2015–2017, and focused on the urban layout and development of the ancient city. Because the ancient city area more or less coincides with modern Ermioni, the investigation was mainly restricted to the documentation and analysis of architectural remains that were both still visible above ground and accessible. However, the report also includes a thorough re-evaluation of previous scholarship, taking into consideration remains that are no longer visible. The author identifies three questions of particular interest, relating to the exact location, extent, and potential relocation of the ancient city, and points to the lack of a coherent interpretation. On the basis of present data, the author proposes that Hermione was indeed relocated to a new site, less than 1 km away from its original position, in the early 3rd century BC, and highlights the urban, social, and religious consequences of such an event. However, pending further evidence, the suggested scenario remains a hypothesis.

Section: Previous Research On the Topography Of Hermionementioning

confidence: 98%

The topography of Hermione—A preliminary outline

Gerding

2021

“…The Institute gladly accepted the invitation, and with the permission of the Greek Ministry of Culture, the project ran between 2015-2017, as a formal synergasia (collaboration) between the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Argolid and the Swedish Institute at Athens. The five case studies that follow this introduction present results from this first phase of the project, now continued within the framework of Editorial note: The section on Hermione, published in OpAthRom 14, comprises six articles: this contribution by Alcestis Papadimitriou;Gerding 2021;Blid 2021;Klingborg 2021;Kossyva 2021;Wallensten 2021. This article was translated from Greek to English by Katerina Gabierakis and Jenny Wallensten. remote-controlled drones and supplemented by digitized cartographic material and existing digital elevation data).…”

Section: Introduction a Greek Cityscape And Its People 2015-2017mentioning

confidence: 99%

An ancient cityscape and its people: A study of ancient Hermione. Introductory remarks on historical sources and visible remains, archaeological research and prospects

Papadimitriou¹

2021

This article provides a brief introduction to the area of the Hermionid and the research that has been carried out in ancient Hermione. The main textual sources are presented, as are the still-visible archaeological remains and the results of important rescue excavations. The contribution outlines the scientific framework of the project that has generated the five articles that follow, and closes with an agenda for future development for the exploration and preservation of ancient Hermione.

“…Editorial note: The section on Hermione, published in OpAthRom 14, comprises six articles: Papadimitriou 2021; Gerding 2021; this contribution by Jesper Blid; Klingborg 2021;Kossyva 2021;Wallensten 2021. in the year 67 BC, which most likely refers to the same Temple of Demeter. 6 The epithet Chthonia is repeatedly connected with Demeter: Pausanias, for instance, states that the goddess was called Chthonia and refers to religious celebrations in her honour as the "Chthonia Festival" ("Χθόνια ἑορτήν").…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Temple of Demeter Chthonia at Hermione

Blid

Berg

2021

This paper presents the results of an architectural survey of the foundations of a Classical temple, presumably that of Demeter Chthonia, located inside the chief sanctuary of the ancient city of Hermione. It also studies ancient architectural members built into the walls of the Taxiarches Church situated on top of the temple foundations. By analysing these material remains and connecting them to the observations of 19th-century travellers to Kastri (Hermione), the paper draws conclusions about the original size and appearance of the Temple of Demeter Chthonia.