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34-437: Poros consists of two islands: Sphaeria ( Greek : Σφαιρία , pronounced [sfeˈria] ), the southern part, which is of volcanic origin, where today's city is located, and Kalaureia ( Greek : Καλαυρία , [kalavˈria] ), also Kalavria or Calauria (meaning 'gentle breeze'), the northern and largest part. A bridge connects the two islands over a narrow strait . Poros is an island with rich vegetation. Much of

68-410: A Tertiary tectonic mélange . There are karstic sinkholes in the island's central limestone massif , and limestone caves with stalactites . Visible marine fossils are mainly found in the limestone, no occurrences of precious stones or ore deposits are known. Limestone from Poros, an example of the poros stone , was an important component in the construction of Mycenaean tholos tombs in

102-546: A dream, and Athena told her to go to the island to give offerings to Sphaerus. Aethra went to the island and Poseidon had intercourse with her there. For this reason Aethra set up a temple of Athena Apaturia ( Ancient Greek : Ἀθηνᾶς Ἀπατουρίας ) on the island. Due to this the name of the island changed to Sacred (Ἱερά) Island. Furthermore, she also established a custom for the Troezenian maidens of dedicating their girdles before wedlock to Athena Apaturia. At present there

136-569: A location in ancient Argolis is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article about an island is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Epidaurus Epidaurus ( Greek : Ἐπίδαυρος ) was a small city ( polis ) in ancient Greece , on the Argolid Peninsula at the Saronic Gulf . Two modern towns bear the name Epidavros: Palaia Epidavros and Nea Epidavros . Since 2010 they belong to

170-434: Is a former island of ancient Argolis described by Pausanias as in the immediate vicinity of Calaureia , and separated from the mainland ( Peloponnesus ) by a strait so narrow and shallow that there was a passage over it on foot. Pausanias wrote that on the island was the tomb of Sphaerus ( Ancient Greek : Σφαίρος ), who was a charioteer of Pelops . In addition, he wrote that according to legend Aethra saw Athena in

204-530: Is linked to mainland Greece by a car ferry to Galatas . Poros has no airport but is easily accessible from Athens by ferry or hydrofoil . There is local bus service on the island from Poros harbor to Neorio and Monastiri. A bike sharing system named Cyclopolis is also available, with one station and a capacity of 13 bikes. Users can register for a small fee and rent bikes for free for up to 3 hours per rental. Sphaeria Sphaeria or Sphairia ( Ancient Greek : Σφαιρία ), later called Hiera (Ἱερά),

238-410: Is not guaranteed, particularly for voice, which requires good projection, which might not have been a problem for Greek actors, who were reputed experts in this aspect. The acoustic properties are caused both by the physical shape, but also the construction material: the rows of limestone seats filter out low-frequency sounds, such as the murmur of the crowd, and also amplify the high-frequency sounds of

272-473: Is not to be obscured. It seats up to 14,000 people. The theatre has long had a reputation for its exceptional acoustics , which reportedly allowed almost perfect intelligibility of unamplified spoken words from the proscenium or skēnē to all 14,000 spectators, regardless of their seating, a tale often recounted by tour guides. In-situ measurements, however, somewhat moderate these claims: although most sounds can indeed be noticed throughout, intelligibility

306-583: Is of Greek origin. It was named after the hero Epidauros , son of Apollo . According to Strabo , the city was originally named Ἐπίκαρος (Epíkaros) under the Carians , ( Aristotle claimed that Caria , as a naval empire, occupied Epidaurus and Hermione) before taking the name Ἐπίταυρος (Epítauros) when the city was taken by the Ionians and finally becoming Ἐπίδαυρος (Epídauros) after the Dorians conquered

340-716: Is only one island, now called Poros ; but as this island consists of two hilly peninsulas united by a narrow sandbank, William Martin Leake concluded that this bank is of recent formation, and that the present island comprehends what was formerly the two islands of Calaureia and Sphaeria. [REDACTED]  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain :  Smith, William , ed. (1854–1857). "Calaureia". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography . London: John Murray. 37°29′04″N 23°28′36″E  /  37.4844°N 23.4767°E  / 37.4844; 23.4767 This article about

374-493: The Goths raided the sanctuary. Even after the introduction of Christianity and the silencing of the oracles , the sanctuary at Epidaurus was still known as late as the mid 5th century as a Christian healing centre. The prosperity brought by the asclepeion enabled Epidaurus to construct civic monuments, including the huge theatre that delighted Pausanias for its symmetry and beauty, used again today for dramatic performances,

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408-541: The Greek Revolution in 1821, due to its strategic position. The Greek revolutionary leaders, often met in Poros to discuss and plan their future actions. The first Greek naval base was established in Poros in 1828 and remained there until 1878. In September 1828, the ambassadors of England, France and Russia met in Poros with Ioannis Kapodistrias in order to determine the borders of the future Greek state, which

442-452: The period of Mycenaean dominance (1400-1100 BC) Calauria was quite powerful and the most important naval base of region was located on islet Monti or Liontari on its eastern coast. The city-state of Calauria was home to an asylum dedicated to Poseidon, the ruins of which are still accessible on a hilltop close to the town. This asylum may have been linked to the sanctuaries at Geraistos and Tainaros . Ancient historians stated that Calauria

476-834: The Hellenistic period in the ruins of the Calaurian asylum, along with a plaque celebrating the "revival" of its amphictyony. During the 5th century, the Persian Empire annexed the Greek cities of western Anatolia . When the Athenians helped these cities in a revolt against Persian rule , Poros, along with the other Greek states of mainland Greece and the Aegean islands, was drawn into the Greco-Persian Wars . At

510-589: The Late Bronze Age , being used particularly for monuments at Mycenae , including the Tomb of Aegisthus . In the northeastern part of the island, in a location called “Kavos Vasili”, the archaeologists have discovered the ruins of a settlement of the Early Bronze Age. This settlement is the oldest of the wider area of Trizinia, Peloponnese, and is believed to be interrelated with the wreck found on

544-650: The Methana volcano dramatically changed the morphology of Poros and the wider region. The Sanctuary of Poseidon has been excavated by Swedish archaeologists. The 1894 field season is considered to be the first Swedish archaeological campaign in Greece. Swedes have continued excavations from 1997 in collaboration with the Greek National Heritage Board. During the Roman period (86 BC to 395 AD) Poros

578-521: The adjacent Peloponnese coast, adjacent to Galatas , Thermisia and the island of Hydra . The landscape is very hilly and mountainous. The highest peak is the Vigla (358 m) in the west-central part. Following the island's topography and geology, small creeks and seasonal streams flow through steep valleys of the southern and northeastern part. The western and northern part of the island feature smooth hills and shallow valleys. Sandy beaches are restricted to

612-633: The beginning of the Peloponnesian War , Troezen and Calauria offered asylum to an anti- Macedonian politician who eventually became the tyrant of the region. After the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC, the Ptolemies of Egypt occupied Calauria. Around the same time, the Athenian orator Demosthenes came to the island, where some report his suicide . In 273 BC, the last explosion of

646-476: The birthplace of Apollo 's son Asclepius the healer. Epidaurus is best known for its healing sanctuary ( asclepieion ) and the Sanctuary of Asclepius, situated about five miles (8 km) from the town, with its theatre , which is still in use today. The cult of Asclepius at Epidaurus is attested in the 6th century BC, when the older hill-top sanctuary of Apollo Maleatas was no longer spacious enough. It

680-454: The ceremonial hestiatoreion ( banqueting hall), and a palaestra . The ancient theatre of Epidaurus was designed by Polykleitos the Younger in the 4th century BC. The original 34 rows were extended in Roman times by another 21 rows. As is usual for Greek theatres (and as opposed to Roman ones), the view on a lush landscape behind the skênê is an integral part of the theatre itself and

714-536: The city. Compare the individual elements ἐπί (epí, "upon"), Καρία (Karía, "Carian"), ταῦρος (taûros, "bull") and Δωριεύς (Dōrieús "Dorian")/Δωριεῖς (Dōrieîs, "Dorians"). Epidaurus was independent of Argos and not included in Argolis until the time of the Romans . With its supporting territory, it formed the small territory called Epidauria . It was reputed to be founded by or named for the hero Epidaurus , and to be

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748-479: The facilities for use of the Greek war navy, and offered the Russians an alternative location in a nearby cove. The new facilities were far larger, and were used by Russian ships throughout the 19th century. The number of Russian residents of Poros increased and even a Russian school was established. Then as Russian naval activity declined, so did the base and by the early 20th century only a single Russian watchman

782-535: The island had about 15,000 inhabitants, making it one of the largest cities in Greece. Arvanites were recorded among the inhabitants of the island in 1688. They lived in poverty as most did in Greece at the time. Venetian rule ended in 1715. The Ottoman Period began in 1715, much later in Poros than in the rest of Greece. Shipping and commerce were the inhabitants' main activities, but Poros' fleet wasn't as famous as Hydra's or Spetses' fleet, and did not participate in many sea battles. Poros had an important role during

816-417: The nearby Dokos island which dates to the same period. Poros was divided into two islands during antiquity: Sphairia (also known by its modern Greek form Sfairia) and Calauria (also known by its ancient Greek form Kalaureia and its modern Greek form Kalavria). Sphairia consisted of the area of the modern island which includes its current capital. Calauria was the larger part of the island to its north. During

850-511: The new municipality of Epidaurus, part of the regional unit of Argolis . The seat of the municipality is the town Lygourio . The nearby sanctuary of Asclepius and ancient theatre were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988 because of their exemplary architecture and importance in the development and spread of healing sanctuaries and cults across the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. The name "Epidaurus"

884-399: The northern and far eastern/western sides of the island are bushy, whereas large areas of old pine forest are found in the south and center of the island. It has a good road network and adequate tourist infrastructure, which makes it a popular resort for short holidays. The land area of the municipality is 49.582 square kilometres (19.144 sq mi). This includes the islands and part of

918-433: The southern shore of the island, except for a bay in the northern part called Vayionia. Poros contains the main village Poros and the smaller villages Ágios Nektários and Kyaní Aktí. The geology of the island comprises Mesozoic to Cenozoic sedimentary rocks ( limestone , and Flysch -type sandstone ) and ophiolites , as well as Neogene volcanic rocks on Sferia . The island is tectonically dissected and part of

952-415: The stage. The town of Epidaurus had its own theatre which has been excavated since 1990 and found to be well-preserved. Dating from the 4th c. BC it had about 2000 seats. It has been renovated and is open to the public, as part of a scheme to conserve and enhance ancient theatres which has mapped 140 ancient arenas across Greece. The municipality Epidavros was formed at the 2011 local government reform by

986-551: The vicinity, which may have been used in healing. Asclepius, the most important healer god of antiquity, brought prosperity to the sanctuary, which flourished until the first half of the first century BC, when it suffered extensive damage when it was sacked by Sulla during the First Mithridatic War . It was revived after a visit by Hadrian in AD 124 and enjoyed renewed prosperity in the following centuries. In AD 395

1020-600: Was established two years later, in 1830. With the Treaty of Kuchuk Kainarji , Russia secured free shipping for its navy, war and merchant alike, throughout the waters of the Ottoman Empire. As Russian naval activity grew, need arose for a supply station, and land was acquired at the edge of Poros town. Extensive materiel, coal , and food storage facilities were built, as well as a hardtack baking factory. After Greek independence, Governor Capodistrias requisitioned

1054-546: Was left guarding it. It was then granted to the Greek Navy by the Czar but was never put to actual use, and the abandoned buildings were left to decay. The ruins, in elaborately carved stone, were listed as protected architectural monuments in 1989. In the beginning of the 20th century, among the activities of the Poros' inhabitants were agriculture (mainly wheat, grapevines and olives), livestock, fishing and shipping. Poros

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1088-683: Was part of the Roman Empire along with Trizina, to which it was a tributary. In Byzantine times, Poros and other islands were often raided by the pirates that dominated the Aegean Sea. In 1484 the Venetians occupied Poros and used it as a strategic port in their sea battles with the Ottomans. Poros was the most powerful city of the wider area, also governing Methana Island, Epidaurus, Damalas (Trizina), Fanari and Valario. During that time,

1122-404: Was the center of an amphictyony , a religious alliance between its city-state and those of Athens , Poros, Aegina , Epidaurus , Hermione , Troezen , Nauplio , Orchomenus , and Prasaiai . Modern archaeology has discovered no evidence for its actual existence, however, and now believe the " Calaurian League " to have been a later Hellenistic invention. An enormous feast was found dating to

1156-500: Was the most celebrated healing centre of the Classical world, the place where ill people went in the hope of being cured. To find out the right cure for their ailments, they spent a night in the enkoimeteria , a big sleeping hall. In their dreams, the god himself would advise them what they had to do to regain their health. Within the sanctuary there was a guest house ( katagogion ) with 160 guest rooms. There are also mineral springs in

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