Site Plan and Synopsis: Ancient Corinth Greece

On this page is a plan of ancient Corinth and more. Most of the much ancient stuff you'll see there today is from the later Roman occupation. If you have time see both Ancient Corinth and Acro-corinth which has the best view of the Peloponnese anywhere and is the best situated fortress in Europe.

Corinth as you may know, was renown in antiquity for its bordellos, temple prostitutes and general air of decadence.

Small potatoes now but back then It was historically important for a lot more reasons too, such as founding colonies, like Corfu, which declared independence and precipitated the first recorded naval battle in history; and the Peloponnesian wars. Which were a major drag on development for years and years and years!

More practically and good for business, Corinth had two thriving ports and got to work both sides of the straight by catering to the demands of many visiting sailors and merchants from all over the Mediterranean basin.

Back then sailors wanted to stay in sight of land so it was a big deal to sail around the Peloponnese. Dangerous! Kindynos!

If you had the where-with-all, you could have your ship towed or pulled overland at Corinth! Depending on your starting point, say within the Gulf of Corinth, form there to the Saronic Gulf and Athens or vice versa from the Saronic Gulf to the Gulf of Corinth and the West coast of Greece and your colony in Corfu for example.

Today there is the Corinth canal but back then there was the doilkos. There will be a test on all this later so be prepared.

The down side of the two ports was that it was a strategic target you could not avoid if you were invading the Peloponnese on foot or horse!

Along side the shipping industry, Corinth had a thriving trade in 'red currant's (which is another corruption of the name 'corinth'). They grew them in the flat plains nearby and exported them all over the know world perhaps. One thing they did export all over the know world and then some, was pottery.

These pagan Corinthians also manufactured pottery which was in high demand and has been unearthed as far away as Britain. It was exported and enables historians to establish the extent of trade by unearthing clay fragments or ostraka. in ancient Athens, about 350BC, 5000 Ostraka with your name written on them and they ran you out of town for ten years. You were ostracized.

You can read about the many uses of ancient Greek pottery in ancient times herein my painless primer.

Now when you visit Corinth you should probably view seeing it as part of the several must see Peloponnesian major sites. You have to go through it or right by it anyway to get anywhere in the Peloponnese.

Sure you can take a coach tour but there is so much more you can see near by like Acro Corinth and Corinth today if you have your own wheels -  a car rental or a private tour with Paul The Honest Greek Taxi Driver. If you want to do it right you'll also see Mycenae, Tyrinns, Epidavros and in a medieval vein Naufplion's' Palamidi Castle! Old central Naufplion is a good place to stay and Tolo is also good if you want to swim.

St. Paul and stuff

About 24 years after the crucifixion of Jesus, St. Paul felt that the Corinthians needed a talking to.

There was Sodom and Gomorra and then there was Corinth!

So He visited Corinth for over a year and a half, causing riots, preaching and converting pagans to Christianity?

At that time, Corinth was occupied by the Romans, which fact of day to day life, gave Christianity so much of its focus and impetus as a universal movement.

Paul also wrote two Epistles to the Corinthians exhorting them to mend their ways. Paul caused rioting in Corinth. (see below).