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Isthmus
City Wall with Gate, 5th century B.C. One of the
great crossroads of the ancient world because of its location on
the isthmus linking the Peloponnese to mainland Greece, Corinth
was a thriving Roman colony from the time of Julius Caesar. The
city is always described as "wealthy" in the ancient sources and
this prosperity was due in part to the city's taxation of the
north-south and east-west trade routes. This is a view to the
north from the Acrocorinth. The ancient city of Corinth is just
out of view to the bottom left side.
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Cenchrea
Cenchrea was the port for Corinth on the eastern side
of the isthmus, and remains of the ancient harbor are visible in the
water today. Paul had his hair cut here because of a vow, and then set
sail from the harbor, concluding his 18-month stay in Corinth (on his
second journey; Acts 18:18). |
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Corinth Diolkos
Instead of a canal, the ancients constructed a
road across the isthmus to connect the two gulfs. This road, konwn
as the "Diolkos" was built in about 600 B.C., and allowed light
ships to be hauled overland. Portions of this road are visible on
the western side of the isthmus. |
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Corinth Canal
The isthmus connecting the Peloponnese and
mainland Greece is four miles wide and as early as the 6th century
B.C., work was begun to dig a canal connecting the Corinthian and
Saronic gulfs. This project failed but a paved road (the
diolkos) was constructed about 600 B.C. to allow light ships
to be hauled overland. The modern canal was completed in the late
19th century. |
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Corinth Harbor
Ancient Corinth had two harbors on the Gulf of Corinth. The
northern port was known as Lechaion and is today silted up and a
few hundred meters from the modern shoreline. |
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