Hellenistic fortifications

Hellenistic Fortifications

Hellenistic Fortifications are the structures built in a method of defense during the Hellenistic Period for Greek civilization. By 323BCE, the Greek world has experienced numerous invasions and a longstanding threat of regional and international competition. It has fought off the Persians during the destructive Persian Wars, as well as infighting among Greek city states. Due to this history, the defense of territory is a primary goal of Greek city-states. Here we see this defense in walls surrounding city centers, but also in walls constructed on the outskirts of territory to provide a watchful eye on approaching enemies.

Historical Chronology

The Hellenistic Period was from 323 BCE until 100 BCE. It is marked by the death of Alexander the Great and ends with the rise of the Roman Empire. The Hellenistic period was when Greek civilizations wealth and power was at its greatest. It follows the conquests of Alexander the Great into Egypt, the Levant, Anatolia, and Asia Minor. The conquests led to the movement of Greek people and influence throughout the Mediterranean. Here, Greeks are living in colonies outside of the prior Hellenistic world. Being "Greek", becomes less of the a geographic locator and more a representation of personal cultural ties. With expanding geographic territory, the institution of the polis weakens. There is less direct power from local leaders with growing power and allegiance to powerful kings far away. The rise of Rome in Italy also begins, this ultimately leading to the turn in power from Greek Civilization to the domination of the Roman world.

Mount Oneion, Corinthia

A series of fortification walls were built during the Hellenistic period to further defend the Corinthian isthmus. The isthmus connecting the Peloponnese to mainland Greece is a vital geographic location for Greek civilization. Controlled by Corinthia, the Diolkos road connects the Mediterranean sea to the Ionian Sea. It is especially important for the transportation of trade. A natural, defensible barrier with the Mount Oneion mountain ridge provides protection for Corinthian civilization from approaching armies from the northern mainland coming over the isthmus. However, near the southern part of Mount Oneion there were a series of walls and forts built to help fortify the area at a low sloping, vulnerable area of the mountain ridge. These walls are at Stanotopi and Maritsa.

At both Stanotopi and Maritsa the walls are low and built from surrounding rock from the area. The walls were not tall enough to be a defensible barrier on their own, however would have been a fortification for Greek armies to station themselves and fight off approaching invaders. Pithos and amphoras found near the walls suggest that there was limited storage at the fortifications. The structures are simple in build, a departure from the extravagance with Hellenistic temples and palaces being built at the same time. There is also no evidence of a ritual or sanctuary context to suggest the fort held religious functions there. All this evidence suggests the fort was a short-term, generic fort system for the Greeks. There are no temples, other large structures or evidence of long-term storage to suggest that people permanently lived near the walls. The simple, efficient construction of the walls shows the necessity for defense, yet a divide from conspicuous consumption. The walls were not meant to intimidate invaders with a displace of wealth and power, but a simple, necessary means of defense.

Alinda, Karia

The ancient city of Alinda was located in Anatolia in the mountains adjacent to the Karpuzlu plain. The city had a complex set of fortifications that underwent a series of different constructional plans. Archeologists have dated the construction of these fortifications to around ca. 370-360. The original construction has both the city center and citadel as all within city walls. However, a later construction purposefully brought the citadel outside city defense fortifications, creating two separately enclosed spaces brought together by an intermediate fortified area. This has been hypothesized as a decision to further protect the city, by keeping a military target away from the society. The city walls followed closely with natural geographic topography. Therefore the city enclosures created shapes of irregular, jagged circles leading right up to shear cliffs.

The fortifications featured numerous towers and bastions in all but the north side. The style of the walls and citadel match identically with the use of isodomic masonry. The masonry features large cuts of stone, sometimes monolithic pieces of stone as whole walls and large lintels. There are two separate stylistic differences seen in the fortifications. The first features some pillow-shaped blocks, very slender headers, and double-bond technique of two headers placed side-by-side. The second, sees more trapezoidal cuts of rock, wider headers, and normally placed headers. This gives evidence to two distinct time periods of construction. The first construction was stopped without full completion of the fortifications for reasons unknown. This construction was complete later by separate individuals practicing a slightly different style.

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