Sacral Environments of
Corinthia: The Polis and
Hinterland
Morgan, Catherine; “The Evolution of a Sacral ‘Landscape’: Isthmia, Perachora, and the Early
Corinthian State” and Laburn-Peart, Catherine
Danyelle King
Urbanism in the Archeological Record
Thursday October 11, 2007
Information in Context:
Francois de Polignac
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Approached with expressed aim of understanding the organization of the cult of the
classical polis (city-state in ancient Greece, esp. as considered for philosophical
purposes)
Recognized the future of the polis is not limited to this model; Variability exists
Sanctuaries & Shrines are conscious responses to the immediate social and political
needs of newly emerging polis
City center shrines are focal points for expression of community identity, whereas
sanctuaries situated in marginal/ border locations cement relations between community
and neighbors , and hold implications for all relations essential to polis:
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Town & Country
Human & Divine
Citizen & non- Citizen
“…their creation served as the acte constituf [and metaphor] of the polis itself”
Considers the spiritual the most important impact on people
A Challenge for de Polignac
•Cult place at Isthmia may have played a role in the many centuries between c. 1050 BCE (de Polignac’s
assumed time frame) and 146 BCE (Morgan’s assumed time frame)
•Evidence of an earlier shrine found more reticently
•New evidence questions the meaning of the site in relation to the nature of its collectivity
Corinthia as Site
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Classical understanding (used by de Polignac) yielded an assumed model of pre-polis
Greek religion
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stressing scarcity of formalized cult places in earlier periods
Assuming institutions were absorbed and emasculated within the new state structure and this
process cemented the establishment of the cult for the new state- meaning while change was
acknowledged it was not central
Near continuous process of reshaping of ritual structures spanning centuries
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(Whereas) Broneer’s excavation
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Questionable whether this reshaping constituted the total shift required for absorption and emasculation
Produced evidence for cult activity dating back to start of protogeometric period (c. 1050 BCE)
8th-7th century phenomenon, containing ‘rural’ 8th century sanctuaries & urban/rural 7th century temples
Polis- most developed and influential form of political organization
classical
Greek
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Difficult to distinguish between sanctuaries in polis
ethne
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Different shrines were very similar
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Physical form
Nature of offerings made
Similarity of cults instituted
to see this picture.
ORIGINS & Social Structure
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Religious activity placed at the beginning of the protogeometric period (mid
11th century BCE), meaning it is
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1 of the earliest post-Myceanian Greek shrines in the Greek World
1 of very few early religious sites to be discovered in a site, later becoming a polis
AND “sustained a major communal role in the life of the polis and beyond”
Terminus Post Quem- earliest monumental temple
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Ash remnants found point toward cult activity
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Animal bone
Unburnt pottery
Figurines (high percentage of bull terracotta figurines)
Jewelry
Sizable portion of population lived in scattered settlements, but buried their dead
in shared cemeteries
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TIFF (Uncomp resse d) de com press or
Nothing to distinguish Mycenaean Isthmia from local context
are nee ded to s ee this picture.
Misrepresentations in historical presentation imply sanctuaries as primeval,
but Morgan argues incorrect
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Stresses Isthmia as central point in Corinthian geography, though not polis
(divides people residing outside of the city)
Eight Groups
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4 tribes (∑|, ∆E, ∑,)
3 subdivisions (E, F, ∏), basis of subdivisions unclear
*Mid 7th century from Isthmia
Cult & Myth:
Continuity & Change in Corinthian Religion
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Dorian pedigree of the city
Mythic development of Corinth: Poseidon battles the sun
Eumelos- telling of the history of Corinth through verse- Korinthika
Votives kept in dromos of tomb•
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Over 1 thousand votives
Over 50 figurines
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1st Dorian King Aletes’ refoundation of city linked to oracle of Zeus
Battle of Aolian inhabitants and Dorian invaders
First temple
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Temple Hill- 1 undoubted shrine in city center
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Goddesses
Poppies
Koulouria
Trays
First major public building
Proto Doric stone structure with tiled roof and painted stucco
Unsure of deity associated with temple (Apollo?), as well as amount of votives and tripods
Changes in religious shrines reflect changes in the broader society, they adapt
Early Activity in Polis:
Corinth
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Early Iron Age religion not definable by one model, development is too varied in style
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Sanctuary seems unlikely to have a relationship to population change in Corinth, no positive
archeological evidence, but also continuous sequence of activity alludes to more peaceful
interactions, not forced change
Isthmia communal dining, and disinterest in displays of wealth, lead to no erection of buildingsplus there were many built shrines remaining from the archaic period, and those shared space
with open spaces
Pottery
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Sequence of forms imply a strong tradition of ____, indirect evidence for regional framework of
community identity shared pottery style/burial practices
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Shape/ size/ design
Uses
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Evidence of strong regional identity- ceremonial meeting place
Common knowledge not recorded because formal reference was unnessecery
Personal identity not recorded that way
Terracotta Figurines
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Bulls
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Boots
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Who participated? Why?
Epigraphical References
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1/3 possibly imported, impossible to tell- though boundary determined by constituency of the sanctuary
Possibly connected to Poseidon
Possibly connected to economic wealth
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Found in graves or ‘subadult’ women, before marriageable age
Possibly for journey to Hades
Close conceptual link between journey to marriage and death
Jewelry
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Simple bronze, probably local- not large or fragile like those found at other ceremonial centers
Possibly dedicated to specific events (childbirth, marriage)
Hinterland, Shrine One:
Isthmia
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Sanctuary of Poseidon at Isthmia
Greatest investment in ritual/ ideological activity occurs during change/
insecurity
Changes in material expression of religious belief
• Formal surfaces served to accommodate dining and other gatherings,
with a refuse area close by- using removable structures
Development of terraces implies need to cater for growing numbers of people
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Unknown if the expansion in activity strained existing organization to collapse or
was accommodated
Possibility of social differentiation
• Access to shelter
• Overall use of space
New artifacts
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Tripods from Corinthia, only found in quantity in Isthmia, appropriation of
Olympic tripods
Same with arms & armor
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Logical for rich personal possessions to be presented at shrines, interesting that Isthmia is
the chosen shrine- maybe because of its roadside location- more visible to passing traffic
Hinterland, Shrine Two:
Perachora
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Sanctuary of Hera at Perachora
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Cult activity began in the mid- geometric II phase
Expansion at Perachora mirrored at Isthmia
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Similar burnt remains, high concentration of drinking ceramic vessels, amphora, cooking tools
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Cult activity most-likely the same
Remote- probably less activity/ more exclusive than Isthmia
Difference in wealth of offerings
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More Gold, jewelry, and imports
Hera Akraia & Hera Limenia
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Focus of cult activity at harbor and upper terraces received the excess
By 7th century richest shrine in area
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Odd because was in an odd location- poor water supply, rugged landscape, no evidence of neighboring
settlement- though, excavation has been limited and there may have been more population density
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Understanding of role in Corinthia not understood
Sinn argues served as a location of isolation/ asylum from Corinth
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While sanctuaries did serve as places of refuge, there is no reason for Perachora to have this explicit
purpose more than other hinterland locations
Perachora- Corinth
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Name reflects a Corinthian centered view
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Location so close, involvement with any other region would pose threat to Corinth territorial integrity and
trade
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More than local significance, design of personal items exchanged with Corinth not replicated in Isthmia
[also building style of earliest temple precedes a dining-room and hestiatorian style later used]
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Architecture more difficult to interpret- possibility of early link between Hera & building dedications
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Possibly early cult activity in city centre
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Sea & eastern trade
• Corinth traded with coast of Phokis, but probably not through Perachora
Sanctuary served multiple functions including celebrations of household, trade, and control of the land essential
to Corinth