Temple of Poseidon at Isthmia — Corinthian Isthmus
Ποσειδώνιον Ἰσθμίας · Isthmian Sanctuary of Poseidon · Isthmia Temple · Poseidon Isthmios
Archaic to Roman (700 BCE–400 CE Panhellenic games)·Corinthian–Sicyonian–Argive contested; Poseidon Isthmios·🇬🇷 Peloponnese, Corinthia, Isthmia (ancient Isthmus sanctuary), Corinth Canal east bank, Greece
About
About Temple of Poseidon at Isthmia — Corinthian Isthmus
004, where 4-year Isthmian Games (582 BCE, second to Olympia) honored Melicertes–Palaimon (shipwreck child hero). 650). Doric 7×18, rebuilt Classic 460 BCE (Athenian–Corinthian clashes). 27) and theatre 300 BCE, plus 5th c. BCE Nero attempted Corinth Canal cuttings and Palaimonion hero shrine of Melicertes. Corinth controlled vs Argos–Sicyon; Diolkos slipway for ships across Isthmus nearby. O. Broneer 1952–67 Ohio State excavations. Bridge between Corinth and Athens.
Why it mattersEarliest Greek tiled temple and stadium longer than Olympia, documenting invention of roof tile and Panhellenic games system.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Whether Isthmia temple was first stone temple before Olympia Heraeum
- 02Tile where invented — Corinth or Isthmia
Theories
- 01Isthmia games as Corinth's maritime Poseidon answer to Olympia Zeus
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.690–650 BCE earliest temple (Protocorinthian), rebuilt 700→460 BCE, stadium 582 BCE Games, theatre 3rd c. BCE
- Period
- Archaic to Roman (700 BCE–400 CE Panhellenic games)
- Culture
- Corinthian–Sicyonian–Argive contested; Poseidon Isthmios
- Builders
- Corinthian tyrants and Bacchiads; Nero's canal workers 67 CE
- Purpose
- Panhellenic Isthmian Games sanctuary (funerary games for Melicertes), Poseidon isthmus control vs. Olympia Zeus, vs. Nemea
- Abandoned
- 390 CE Theodosius ban Panhellenic games; Justinian Hexamilion wall overlies
- Rediscovered
- 1836 Monceaux; 1952 Oscar Broneer Ohio State
- Excavation
- Excavated
690 BCE
Pioneering early tile-roofed temple
582 BCE
Isthmian Games refounded Panhellenic
67 CE
Nero cuts Corinth Canal attempt at Isthmia cliff
1952
Broneer uncovers early roof tiles
On the ground
Structures & features
37.9160° N · 23.0040° E · 45 m · 2 mapped features
- Isthmia Poseidon Temple — Archaic 7th c. BCE Doric and Stadiumtemple stadiumEarly 690 BCE 7×18 Doric (?) 40×14 m pioneering temple (among first Greek stone temples, before Olympia), adjacent stadium 196.5 m Isthmian Games 582 BCE and theatre37.9162° N · 23.0042° E
- Isthmia — Palaimonion and Sacred Harbor Canalsheroon canalHeroon of Palaimon–Melicertes (child hero of shipwreck) with Roman tetrastyle podium and Corinth Canal 4th c. BCE Greek canal trace37.9158° N · 23.0038° E
Gallery