The topography of Hermione—A preliminary outline

Abstract

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.

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

“…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).…”