189-199

Research of the Northern wall of Dion

• Στεφανίδου-Τιβερίου, Θεοδοσία

After the excavation of the northern part, the whole fortification wall of Dion has been revealed. The extended repair of the late Roman period (mid-3rd century A.D.) was primarily based on the Hellenistic fortification, apart from the area of the north-east corner.During the reign of Kassander the general plan of the Hellenistic wall was arectangle whose side was about 640 m. long having towers at regular distances (the distance between two towers was 100 feet). This plan was changed when it was necessary. Thus, the distance between two towers could be shorter for better protection of certain gates. Two gates leading to the most important roads of the city interrupt each of the three straight sides of the fortification. The original Hellenistic wall was built of conglomerate stones; trapezoid stones were used for the lower part, and irregular for the upper part. Meanwhile, the material used for the repairs during the reign of Philip V and the other in the laterRoman period in the 3rd century A.D. was removed from other monuments. The excavation of northern gates BI and BII documented that this area was used as acemetery after the abandonment of the Hellenistic fortification, and further documented that the city was extended to this area. The central road of Dion was paved before the construction of the new wall in the mid-3rd century A.D., probably during the empire of Severi. However, it seems that the late Roman fortification was not used for a long time; it was destroyed before the end of the 3rd century A.D. The destruction was due to natural cause (earthquake) and caused fillings of pebbles in the northern part, while the western was covered with mud. The latest fortification of Dion, built later, surrounded only a small part of the city.

• History and Archaeology

• Ανασκαφές (Αρχαιολογία)

Δίον, Πιερία, συνέδρια

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