GORTYN - 2006

Gortyn. E. Lippolis (SAIA/Rome) presents an overview of urban development in the area of the sanctuary of Apollo Pytheus, focused on the Hellenistic period but with references to later remains down to the Byzantine period.

The third to first centuries BC saw Gortyn emerge as a major power in Crete, with connections to Ptolemaic Egypt, paving the way for its future role as Roman provincial capital of Crete-Cyrene. Especially in the second century this growth was reflected in large building campaigns and increased urban infrastructure (city walls and road systems) prompted by a desire to remake Gortyn as an important regional centre on the model of a Hellenistic polis. Attention focused on the Agora (where the roles of individual buildings are not yet clear) and the quarter around the Pythion, to express civic pride and provide a stage for religious and other group ceremonies (including athletic and musical spectacles).

The main reworking of the Pythion occurred in the later Hellenistic period ca. 219–217 BC, when it likely marked reunification after internal political strife in 221–219. The areas to the north and east became public space (a process which continued through the first two centuries AD). Late in the second century BC the sanctuary of the Egyptian Deities was constructed north of the Pythion, itself completely rebuilt with the addition of a pronaos and a new façade on which public inscriptions, such as treaties, were displayed. A new altar and a Heroon were built in front of the temple. Beyond, a wide, irregularly shaped courtyard linked the historical town with this remade quarter to the east. Public buildings within and facing onto this court include an Odeion and a shrine of uncertain plan (on the same axis as the adjoining temple of Caput Aquae). Through the final two centuries BC, structures, mostly connected with cults, continued to be added. These include the north-facing Antonine temple with its monumental court, an altar (removed in Late Antiquity), and a square fountain at a cross roads, built at the end of the first century BC/beginning of the first century AD.

The stadium, aligned north-south, required massive supporting terraces which formed the eastern boundary of the developed public area. By the Stadium was the gymnasium, likely erected under Tiberius and replacing two earlier structures. It occupied a large portion of the court, which was consequently reduced to the smaller trapezoidal area immediately in front of the Pythion. A nearby area, with an open-air altar was dedicated to the Theos Hypistos probably at this time.

This situation remained essentially unchanged into the fourth century AD, with the addition of some new structures including a small shrine (again at a cross-roads), a Trajanic-Hadrianic complex with baths and a nymphaeum (plus the supporting water-system), and further building of Severan date. Fundamental changes followed the devastating earthquake of 365 AD: public areas were taken over for private purposes and the monuments neglected. From the fifth century, as Christian influence developed a political dimension, pagan structures were demolished. The consequent free of space led to a proliferation of private developments – houses and artisans’ quarters. By the Byzantine era, a radical transformation had been effected.