NIKOPOLIS - 2001

Nikopolis, Monument of Octavian Augustus. K. Zachos and Ch. Kappa (ΙΒ' ΕΠΚΑ) report on continuing excavation northeast of the central altar and inside the facing wall of the platform. The stepped altar foundation was exposed to a depth of 2.15m, showing the following stratigraphy: immediately below the surface a level of tile, pebble and marble spolia; beneath, a layer with strong signs of burning and fragments of the marble sculpture of the altar, founded on a layer of overflow from the water channel; finally the stereo on which the monument was founded. At least 650 diagnostic fragments of the marble altar decoration were found in front of the southeast edge of the altar, a collection significant for its early Augustan date and excellent workmanship. It includes a semi-circular base of Pentelic marble with archaising relief depictions of 12 Olympian deities and heroes of Greek mythology, including Apollo, Artemis, Athena, Herakles and Hermes accompanied by the three Graces. The base was bordered at the top with relief anthemia and lotus flowers, and at the bottom with a garland. Two joining fragments of a second similar altar were found in 1999. Also, four joining sections of a relief plaque depict a procession of nine laurel-garlanded robed figures moving right to left behind a four-horse chariot. The charioteer, Augustus, holds a laurel branch in his right hand and is accompanied by two children. A groom leads the procession, holding the horses’ reins, with bearded male riders wearing leggings and two helmeted men on foot in front of them. The scene may depict a triumph, likely that at Actium, the central episode of the triple triumph celebrated by Augustus in Rome on 13-15th August 29BC.

The 13m-long stone water channel, behind and parallel to the platform wall, was completely exposed. Square in section, the base is scattered with tile. To the east was a probable cistern in opus testaceum, lined with hydraulic cement and with a stone paved floor, and containing Arretine pottery.

The 2.2m-wide internal wall of the platform face was exposed for a length of 37m. Built of sandstone blocks with smaller stones and reddish-yellow cement as binding materials, the part closest to the east wing of the stoa also had traces of red cement probably from a later intervention.