AGIA MONI - 2005

Monastery of the Zoodochos Pigi, Agia Moni. Ch. Piteros (Δ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on ancient spolia built into this 12th-century monastery and on ancient remains in the complex as a whole.

a) A Hellenistic inscribed limestone base in the northeast corner of the church preserves two lines of text:

]ΤΡΑΤΩΝΟΣ ΑΡΓΕΙΟΣ

]ΙΗΣΕ

This likely refers to the Argive artist Xenophilos son of Straton (IG IV, 1 234): the base likely came from the Argive Heraion.

b) Seven lozenge-shaped and one triangular marble floor slabs from the tholos at Epidauros are reported in the western part of the north side of the church and on either side of the entrance to the chapel just outside the enclosure of the monastery. These slabs were likely removed during the second period of Venetian rule (1686-1715).

c) The foundations of a rectangular (5 x 5.2m) fourth- to third-century BC tower lie outside the west perimeter wall of the monastery complex, just south of the approach road. A post-antique well was opened in the middle of it. The ancient road from Nauplia to Asine ran via this area.

d) A cistern southwest of the monastery estate was lined with hydraulic cement and pieces of Hellenistic rooftile. It may indicate the presence of a farmhouse in this area.