Ancient Corinth | Luxurious Trading Center Between Athens and Sparta

Drinking the sun of Corinth
Deciphering the marble ruins […] 
I found the leaves the sun’s psalm recites
The living land that Desire with delight
Opens. 

-Od. Elyris, “Drinking the Sun of Corinth” (Sun the First, 1943) – transl. by the author

While Corinth today is not a city that people frequently choose to spend their holidays in, Ancient Corinth was far more influential and luxurious. A prosperous trading center on the isthmus between Peloponnese and Attica, a political influencer and mediator, Ancient Corinth was an affluent city. As Horace once said in reference to the city’s exorbitant luxury, “non licet omnibus adire Corinthum”, implying that most people could not afford the luxuries of the city.

Ancient Corinth Key Facts

Overview

Ancient Corinth was formerly known as “Ephira” and was founded by Sisyphus, the crafty king of Corinth, who became famous for his feat of breaking through the limits of human ability and defeating death.

It was situated in the north of the Peloponnese, in southern Greece. The city was first settled in the Neolithic period (5000-3000 BC) and was considered the richest city in the ancient world.

Ancient Corinth was also famous for being the home of the hero Bellerophon, The Hero Who Tamed Pegasus, ruler of the winged horse Pegasus, the winged horse. Bellerophon was worshiped like a god in Ancient Corinth. In addition, Ancient Corinth was known as the main place of worship for Apollo, the Greek god of music, and also for Zeus, The Supreme God, in the district of Nemea.

Practical travel tips 

Before getting to know ancient and modern Corinth, let’s go over some practical travel tips to help you decide when and how to visit, as well as what to expect.

Getting There

Corinth is conveniently located near Athens, making it easy to reach. It’s a one-hour drive by car, but you can also take the bus or train from Athens.

Accessibility

As a relatively large town, there might be some places in Corinth that are difficult to navigate. Overall, modern Corinth is flat and easy to navigate, whereas the archaeological site of Ancient Corinth may require special attention from visitors who have mobility issues.

Best Time to Visit

Since the archaeological site is all-open, you should opt to visit during the spring or autumn, when the temperature is slightly lower and the sun is shining, but not burning hot.

Duration of Visit

A half-day is enough to visit both Ancient Corinth and the archaeological museum, but you could extend your visit to a full weekend if you decide to explore other areas nearby.

Budgeting

Aside from the fees for the site and the museum, Corinth is less expensive than Athens.

Local Amenities

You will easily find restaurants and cafes, ATMs, grocery stores and pharmacies all around town.

Corinth in Greek Mythology

Corinth was a city of great mythological importance. From the myths about its creation to its association with famous tragic stories, let’s explore the presence of Corinth in Greek mythos.

The Creation of Corinth

While Corinth has been inhabited for thousands of years, it flourished after the 8^th century BC. There are many myths surrounding the creation of this ancient city before it became one of the most important city-states of Greece. 

A myth recounted by Pausanias describes that Corinthos, a son of Zeus, was the founder of the city. However, this myth is not recounted by many other historians. Other retellings of the founding of Corinth identify the founder as goddess Ephyra, an Oceanid (water nymph, daughter of the Titan Oceanus), and thus ancient Corinth was named Ephyra.

Sisyphus and Corinth

The most well-known myth about Corinth concerns the famous king and founder of a line of kings, Sisyphus. Sisyphus was a notoriously cunning person who deceived death not once, but twice (you can read more about Sisyphus’ devious plans here).

We all have heard about Sisyphus great punishment – since it has also been discussed and retold by numerous scholars and philosophers, with the most popular recounts by Albert Camus and Simone de Beauvoir. Sisyphus was punished by rolling a boulder up a hill, only to have it fall down again when it reached the summit, and Sisyphus had to repeat all that in perpetuity. The hill is said to resemble the hill where Acrocorinth is located.

Bellerophon and Pegasus

After Sisyphus died, his son Glaucus took his place. After Glaucus’ reign, it was time for the last successor to become king: Bellerophon. Bellerophon was the biological son of Eurynome and Poseidon, but Glaucus was his stepfather. He was regarded as one of the greatest heroes of the time.

Bellerophon was tasked with taming the wild winged horse, Pegasus, and go on to slay the monster Chimera. Bellerophon succeeded in this task by cleverly defeating the fire-breathing creature. Since then, Pegasus became a symbol of power for Ancient Corinth, but for modern Corinth as well. Nowadays, you can find a statue of a Pegasus in the main square of Corinth.

Medea and Jason

Ancient Corinth is also known for being the location where Medea and Jason settled after returning from Colchis. Corinth was where Jason betrayed the powerful sorceress, who then did everything she could to make him pay before departing for Athens in the chariot of Helios.

Poseidon and Helios

Finally, we should mention the stories surrounding the patron deities of Corinth. It is said that there was a dispute about Corinth between the god of the sea, Poseidon, and the god of the sun, Helios. The arbitrator was Briareus, one of the giants Hecatoncheires. He settled the dispute by dividing Corinth in two; he decided that the Acrocorinth belonged to Helios, since it was closer to the sky, whereas the Isthmus belonged to Poseidon.

Corinth in Ancient Greek History

Corinth, one of ancient Greece’s greatest city-states, was a vibrant and affluent city with a rich history. The area had probably been inhabited since 6500 BC. The Dorians may have settled there around 900 BC. The Bacchiadae, a Doric clan, ruled Ancient Corinth for many years. Cypselus became Corinth’s first tyrant in 658 BC, marking the beginning of 70 years of tyranny. 

Following the abolition of tyranny, Corinth grew into a thriving trading center.

The Ancient City of Corinth

During classical times, Corinth was as wealthy as Athens and Thebes, if not more. It was a trading and artistic hub with a thriving pottery industry. The city’s two ports served as trading centers as well as ports for the powerful navy.

Corinth had a temple for Aphrodite that employed a large number of hetairas, temple prostitutes, both men and women. It is said that they used to charge exorbitant fees for their services. So much that it lead Horace to say that Corinth is not for everyone financially.

Corinth also hosted the Isthmian Games, which were musical and athletic competitions honoring Poseidon. The games were also very popular among the Athenians. During these periods of cultural growth, Corinthians developed the Corinthian order, which became the third most common architectural style. It was the most complicated of the three, reflecting the Corinthians’ lavish way of life.

Exploring the Location: Corinth

While modern Corinth is a particularly small town, it houses a wide variety of restaurants and cafes, so you can grab a breather before or after visiting the ancient sites. Let’s take a look at what you can visit and what you can expect to see while visit Corinth.

Ancient Corinth

Ancient Corinth is not located inside or adjacent to the modern city. The city of Corinth, which surrounded the remains of Ancient Corinth, was destroyed by an earthquake in 1858, and the modern city was built 3 kilometers northeast of the ancient site.

While many remains can be found in Ancient Corinth, the most notable is the doric Temple of Apollo. People who are interested in the Christian side of this city can also visit St Paul’s bema on the site.

Don’t miss a visit to the small but beautiful archaeological museum located in the modern city, which houses important exhibits that provide a glimpse into what was once a very luxurious metropolis.

Acrocorinth

Moving up to the site that dominates the skyline, the Acrocorinth is easily visible on the hill. While the remains are scarce, they show many different influences from the times it was rebuilt, including ancient Athens, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Franks, and the Ottomans.

For the brave trekkers, hike to the top of the Frankish tower for a breathtaking view of the surrounding area. Also, if you decide to climb to the highest point in the Acrocorinth, you will discover the foundations of the once glorious Sanctuary of Aphrodite.

Isthmus of Corinth

The Corinth Canal at the Isthmus of Corinth, while not historically significant, is a modern engineering marvel. It was built at the end of the nineteenth century and successfully connected the Ionian and Aegean Seas. At the northern end of the canal, known as the dioriga, you can see a portion of the ancient Diolkos, a road built during Periander’s reign that was used to transport ships from one gulf to another.

For the brave of heart, a bungee jumping instructor is at all times at the canal for those fond of extreme sports.

Ancient Temple of Isthmia

If you have the time and means to go a small distance, the Ancient Temple of Isthmia awaits approximately 16 kilometres of Ancient Corinth. It is a temple dedicated to Poseidon, and one of the major Panhellenic sanctuaries (the others were Delphi, Nemea, and Olympia). It is the place were the Isthmian Games were held.

Last Thoughts

While the modern city does not reflect Ancient Corinth’s abundance, it is unquestionably worth visiting. The rich history and mythology surrounding this area, as well as its proximity to Athens and location on the route to Epidaurus, Olympia, and other major archaeological sites, indicate that you should pay a short visit to this once-important city.

FAQs about Corinth

Why was Ancient Corinth’s location important for the city’s economy?

Ancient Corinth’s strategic location at the Isthmus of Corinth made it a crucial hub for trade between East and West. The city’s economy thrived due to its control of the Isthmus, which allowed it to regulate trade and collect taxes.

What is the best way to get to ancient Corinth?

The most convenient way to visit ancient Corinth is by car or taxi from the modern city of Corinth. There are also a few buses available to transport you to and from the location.

Are there guided tours available?

Of course, there are guided tours available on-site and even some starting from Athens. You can also find some that start in Athens and include transportation to and from Corinth.

History of Ancient Corinth

Featured Image Credit: NASA/GSFC/METI/ERSDAC/JAROS, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons