Definition
Corinth is a modern port city in Greece. In ancient times, it was a wealthy and influential city-state (polis) located on the Isthmus of Corinth, a narrow stretch of land joining the Peloponnesus to mainland Greece. It was regarded as the most beautiful polis and was especially well-known for its exquisite pottery, its powerful navy, and its successful trade industry.
The city was founded in the Neolithic Age (c. 6000-5000 BC). According to legend, its founder was Corinthos, a descendant of the sun god Helios. Other myths suggest that it was founded by the goddess Ephyra, a daughter of the titan Oceanus. Legend also tells of an order of ancient kings that was founded in Corinth by Sisyphus. This era came to an end in 747 BC (the traditionally accepted date) when the Bacchiadae became the ruling power in Corinth.
In 657 BC, the Bacchiadae were expelled by the polemarch Cypselus, who became the first tyrant of Corinth in the 7th Century BC. During the age of tyrants, Corinth established colonies and further increased its commercial power. In classical times, the city-state rivaled Athens and Thebes in wealth, and was a major participant in the Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War. In the latter war, Corinth helped Sparta defeat Athens; however, relations grew strained between Sparta and Corinth shortly afterward and the two poleis engaged in the Corinthian War. This dispute weakened the city-states of the Peloponnese, allowing for the subsequent invasion of Corinth by Macedonians.
The city of Corinth was conquered by Philip II of Macedon in 338 BC, and sacked by the Romans in 146 BC. Shortly before his assassination in 44 BC, Julius Caesar refounded Corinth, making it a Roman colony and bringing renewed prosperity to the city.
The city was founded in the Neolithic Age (c. 6000-5000 BC). According to legend, its founder was Corinthos, a descendant of the sun god Helios. Other myths suggest that it was founded by the goddess Ephyra, a daughter of the titan Oceanus. Legend also tells of an order of ancient kings that was founded in Corinth by Sisyphus. This era came to an end in 747 BC (the traditionally accepted date) when the Bacchiadae became the ruling power in Corinth.
In 657 BC, the Bacchiadae were expelled by the polemarch Cypselus, who became the first tyrant of Corinth in the 7th Century BC. During the age of tyrants, Corinth established colonies and further increased its commercial power. In classical times, the city-state rivaled Athens and Thebes in wealth, and was a major participant in the Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War. In the latter war, Corinth helped Sparta defeat Athens; however, relations grew strained between Sparta and Corinth shortly afterward and the two poleis engaged in the Corinthian War. This dispute weakened the city-states of the Peloponnese, allowing for the subsequent invasion of Corinth by Macedonians.
The city of Corinth was conquered by Philip II of Macedon in 338 BC, and sacked by the Romans in 146 BC. Shortly before his assassination in 44 BC, Julius Caesar refounded Corinth, making it a Roman colony and bringing renewed prosperity to the city.
Articles
-
Fortuitously located on the Isthmus of Corinth (a narrow tract of land that connects mainland Greece to the lower peninsula known as the Peloponnesus), Corinth was...
[Continue Reading...] -
Having an advantageous location on the Isthmus of Corinth was not the only thing that helped Corinth achieve its illustrious status as one of ancient Greece’s greatest city-states...
[Continue Reading...]
Illustrations
Corinth Books
-
Penguin Classics (04 September 1972)Price: $10.88 -
Hackett Publishing Company (01 October 1993)Price: $9.95 -
Free Press (10 September 1998)Price: $17.13 -
Yale University Press (11 August 2000)Price: $10.85 -
Anchor (02 June 2009)Price: $17.82
Comments
Please log in or register to post comments. Sadly this is necessary due to comment spam.