NIKOPOLIS - Monument of Octavian Augustus - 2000

Nikopolis, Monument of Octavian Augustus. K. Zachos and Ch. Kappa (ΙΒ' ΕΠΚΑ) report continuing excavation of the victory monument (Fig. 1).

At the east retaining wall the rain-water drain continued to be traced and its construction examined in detail (Fig. 2). It stops at the level of the upper terrace and did not continue beyond the wall of the left part of the podium. Investigation also focused on the brick structure at the end of the channel (Fig. 3: cf. ADelt 54 [1999] Chr, 471−73): the southeast and west sides are in opus testaceum, while the west has the same loose construction as the channel. It postdates the first, Augustan, phase of construction and its position, along with an Augustan Ionic column capital reused in the structure (Fig. 4), suggests that it marked the entrance to the monument from the upper terrace.

More of the eastern part of the stoa was exposed, including the foundation of the median wall for a length of 18m. The lowest part of the foundation is in sandstone with hard limestone above.

South of the altar, excavation continued between the central monumental altar and the water channel. The pavement of this area is not in contact with the altar foundation where there was a thick soil packing layer. Along the south wall of the altar was a destruction layer in situ of the marble sculpted decoration of the altar, with many pointed amphorae and evidence of burning (Fig. 5). In addition to fragments of waves and garlands, there were depictions of the muzzle of a wild boar (AK 1937), of human figures and of the rostrum of a ship (Figs 6-8).