Lechaeum

By the Editors of the Madain Project

Lechaeum or Lechaion (τὸ Λεχαῖον) was the port in ancient Corinthia on the Corinthian Gulf. Ancient harbour was connected with the historic city of Corinth by means of the Long Walls. Lechaeum was strategically more important due to Corinth's economic interests in the western trade routes. The port featured two artificial basins, excavated around 600 BCE, to accommodate ships, as there was no natural harbor. Over the centuries, Lechaeum underwent significant developments, including the construction of fortified walls and improved infrastructure, particularly during the Roman period when it was linked to Corinth's forum by a paved street.

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Overview

Lechaeum was the north-western port of Corinth, located on the Corinthian Gulf, and it was more significant than Cenchreae due to Corinth's focus on western interests. Lacking a natural harbor, two artificial basins were dug around 600 BCE. The Long Walls connecting Lechaeum to Corinth were constructed around 450 BCE, similar to the Long Walls of Athens.

During the Corinthian War (circa 395–387 BCE), Spartans managed to gain access to these Long Walls through treachery, leading to the capture of Lechaeum. Corinthian exiles then used the port as a base for conducting raids on other parts of Corinthian territory. The establishment of the Roman colony of Corinth in 44 BCE prompted further enhancements to the harbor, which was later connected to Corinth's forum by a paved road in the first century CE. The major excavations at the site have uncovered a large basilica from the mid-fifth century CE.

Archaeological Remains

circa 1381 BCE

Ancient Architectural Remains

circa 37-68 CE

Roman Bust of Emperor Nero
The relief was most likely carved before or during emperor Nero's tour of Greece in 67 CE. The carving most likely is related to the construction of a canal across the Isthmus of Corinth, initiated by the Roman Emperor Nero in 67 CE. The work on the canal began at both ends of the Isthmus (the Corinthian and Saronic sides) and involved around 6,000 workers. Nero personally oversaw the start of the excavation on November 28, using a golden pickaxe to symbolically strike the ground.

The excavation reached a length of 3,300 meters before it was halted due to Nero's need to return to Rome to address a rebellion led by General Galba. After Nero's return to Rome, he died shortly thereafter, leading to the abandonment of the canal project. Nero's effort to construct the canal was substantial, as evidenced by the later discovery of 26 test wells and various ditches from his time during the eventual opening of the canal.

circa 400 CE

Byzantine Period Basilica of Leonides
The basilica of Lechaion was dedicated to Leonides, the bishop of Athens, who was martyred, along with seven women, around the mid-third century CE, by being cast into the nearby sea. It came to light through excavations funded by the Archaeological Society and conducted by the archaeologist D. I. Pallas during the 1950s and 1960s.

The basilica, the most important early Byzantine monument in the Peloponnese, takes up an area of 11,000 square meters on the western branch of the ancient port of Lechaion, one of the two ports of Ancient and Byzantine Corinth. The other port was Kenchreai, on the Saronic gulf. It is the longest basilica in mainland Greece (aprox. 180 meters). It belongs to the three-aisled basilica type, with a five-aisled transept and a dome, a narthex, a double atrium, a tripartite baptistery and multiple annexes. Staircases on the west side led to the upper galleries.

The monument is believed to have been founded in the second half of the fifth century CE, and was tiled and added to by the first third of the sixth century CE. In general, several parts of the church show signs of different phases, alterations and additions. The use of the basilica ceased possibly in the seventh century CE, due to its collapse caused by an earthquake. In later periods, new churches were built within the apse of the altar.

In the baptistery, it is believed that the western aisle was dedicated to the pre-baptismal ceremony, while the tetraconch space was a changing room. The octagonal space containing two baptismal fonts, probably one for children and one for adults, is the area where the baptism itself took place (photisterion). In later years, not too far distant from the destruction of the basilica, the area of the photisterion was also converted into a church.

To the south and west of the church, extensive building remains have been discovered. These buildings were constructed mostly after the destruction of the basilica. They included refectories, wine-presses, cisterns etc. and the dating of their abandonment remains a desideratum for research. Important indications for continuation in the usage of the area even after the ruination of the basilica (grave offerings) were located also in graves outside the basilica. To the northwest of the basilica, excavations have revealed a bath, with several usage phases.

The number of small finds from the excavation is huge; these items include a wide chronological spectrum from the late Roman to the Frankish period and include coins, pots and potsherds, lamps, glass lamps, metal objects and tools etc.

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