AGHIOS IOANNIS RENTIS - Piraeus Avenue - 2008

Aghios Ioannis Rentis, 161-163 Piraeus Avenue, Flemming and Neou Phalerou Streets (O.T. 24-25, property of Rentis A.E.). Y. Spyropoulos (ΚΣΤ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on the discovery of an Archaic building complex and a Classical road. The rectangular-shaped complex consists of a central courtyard and perimetrically set rooms (Figs 1,2). There are three rooms on the north side, two of which have benches running along one of their walls. The south and west sides have identical layouts: a stoa with rooms at the ends of both sides. Both stoas were entered from the central courtyard via a propylon. The column bases of the propyla (two in each propylon) remain in situ. The west stoa has benches of similar construction to those found at the north side of the complex. A circular hearth lay in the centre of the courtyard. The complex was entered from the east side, which is nevertheless not preserved. A drain was excavated in the SE corner of the complex. A peribolos wall ran along the east, south and west sides of the complex. Two walls and a gate constitute the remains of the eastern peribolos entrance. Amongst the small finds excavated from the complex is the handle of an archaic kantharos with the inscription ΤΟ ΔΙΟΝΥΣ. According to the excavator the find indicates that festivals in honour of Dionysus were held in the complex or alternatively that the complex was a sanctuary of Dionysus.

A 5^th c. B.C. road with two retaining walls was excavated south of the complex (Figs 3,4). A cemetery was found on the east side of this road. The burials include 2 inurned cremations, 2 pyres, a shaft grave and a tile grave. A stone ballot box and two amphorae were found in one of the pyres.