Kameiros
Encyclopedia
Kameiros is an ancient city and a former municipality
on the island of Rhodes
, in the Dodecanese
, Greece
. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Rhodes
, of which it is a municipal unit. It lies on the northwest coast of the island. It was the heart of an agricultural region, and constituted one of three city states on Rhodes. Kameiros nowadays is a municipal unit stretching inland into the north-central part of Rhodes. The seat of the municipality was in Soroni
(pop. 1,236). Other large towns are Apóllona (997), Fanes
(895), Salakos
(597), and Kalavárda (512). The municipal population was 5,145 at the 2001 census, and the land area is 211.825 km².
The ancient city was built on three levels. At the top of the hill was the Acropolis
, with the temple complex of Athena
Kameiras and the Stoa
. A covered reservoir having a capacity of 600 cubic meters of water -- enough for up to 400 families -- was constructed about the sixth century BC. Later, the Stoa was built over the reservoir. The Stoa consisted of two rows of Doric columns with rooms for shops or lodgings in the rear.
The main settlement was on the middle terrace, consisting of a grid of parallel streets and residential blocks. On the lower terrace are found a Doric
Temple, probably to Apollo
; the Fountain House, with the Agora
in front of it; and Peribolos of the Altars, which contained dedications to various deities.
During the prehistoric period the area was inhabited by Mycenaean Greeks
. The city itself was founded by the Dorians. The temple foundations were begun at least as early as the eighth century BC. The earthquake of 226 BC
destroyed the city and the temple. The earthquake of 142 BC destroyed the city for the second time.
The Acropolis was excavated by Alfred Biliotti
and Auguste Salzmann between 1852 and 1864. In 1928 the Italian Archaeological School began a systematic excavation of the area together with restoration work which continued until the end of the 2nd World War.
Communities and Municipalities of Greece
For the new municipalities of Greece see the Kallikratis ProgrammeThe municipalities and communities of Greece are one of several levels of government within the organizational structure of that country. Thirteen regions called peripheries form the largest unit of government beneath the State. ...
on the island of Rhodes
Rhodes
Rhodes is an island in Greece, located in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of both land area and population, with a population of 117,007, and also the island group's historical capital. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within...
, in the Dodecanese
Dodecanese
The Dodecanese are a group of 12 larger plus 150 smaller Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, of which 26 are inhabited. Τhis island group generally defines the eastern limit of the Sea of Crete. They belong to the Southern Sporades island group...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Rhodes
Rhodes
Rhodes is an island in Greece, located in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of both land area and population, with a population of 117,007, and also the island group's historical capital. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within...
, of which it is a municipal unit. It lies on the northwest coast of the island. It was the heart of an agricultural region, and constituted one of three city states on Rhodes. Kameiros nowadays is a municipal unit stretching inland into the north-central part of Rhodes. The seat of the municipality was in Soroni
Soroni
Soroni is a small village on the island of Rhodes, Greece, on the northwest coast of the island . It is the capital of the municipality of Kameiros . Population, 1232 . The island's main power plant is located just outside the village...
(pop. 1,236). Other large towns are Apóllona (997), Fanes
Fanes
Fanes is a village in the northeast part of Rhodes. The main village is situated around 1 km inland. Fanes has had extensive farm fields, near the coast and along the adjacent hills. It also has a small natural bay which was refitted as a yacht port in the 1990s. Since 1998, Fanes has formed...
(895), Salakos
Salakos
Salakos is a village of 350 people on the west side of the of Rhodes Island. It is 40 km from the capital Rhodes town and 7km from the North West coast. The village is located on the hills of Mt. Prophitis Ilias. Inhabitants are mainly employed in farming, livestock rearing and tourism...
(597), and Kalavárda (512). The municipal population was 5,145 at the 2001 census, and the land area is 211.825 km².
The ancient city was built on three levels. At the top of the hill was the Acropolis
Acropolis
Acropolis means "high city" in Greek, literally city on the extremity and is usually translated into English as Citadel . For purposes of defense, early people naturally chose elevated ground to build a new settlement, frequently a hill with precipitous sides...
, with the temple complex of Athena
Athena
In Greek mythology, Athena, Athenê, or Athene , also referred to as Pallas Athena/Athene , is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, warfare, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, justice, and skill. Minerva, Athena's Roman incarnation, embodies similar attributes. Athena is...
Kameiras and the Stoa
Stoa
Stoa in Ancient Greek architecture; covered walkways or porticos, commonly for public usage. Early stoae were open at the entrance with columns, usually of the Doric order, lining the side of the building; they created a safe, enveloping, protective atmosphere.Later examples were built as two...
. A covered reservoir having a capacity of 600 cubic meters of water -- enough for up to 400 families -- was constructed about the sixth century BC. Later, the Stoa was built over the reservoir. The Stoa consisted of two rows of Doric columns with rooms for shops or lodgings in the rear.
The main settlement was on the middle terrace, consisting of a grid of parallel streets and residential blocks. On the lower terrace are found a Doric
Doric order
The Doric order was one of the three orders or organizational systems of ancient Greek or classical architecture; the other two canonical orders were the Ionic and the Corinthian.-History:...
Temple, probably to Apollo
Apollo
Apollo is one of the most important and complex of the Olympian deities in Greek and Roman mythology...
; the Fountain House, with the Agora
Agora
The Agora was an open "place of assembly" in ancient Greek city-states. Early in Greek history , free-born male land-owners who were citizens would gather in the Agora for military duty or to hear statements of the ruling king or council. Later, the Agora also served as a marketplace where...
in front of it; and Peribolos of the Altars, which contained dedications to various deities.
During the prehistoric period the area was inhabited by Mycenaean Greeks
Mycenaean Greece
Mycenaean Greece was a cultural period of Bronze Age Greece taking its name from the archaeological site of Mycenae in northeastern Argolis, in the Peloponnese of southern Greece. Athens, Pylos, Thebes, and Tiryns are also important Mycenaean sites...
. The city itself was founded by the Dorians. The temple foundations were begun at least as early as the eighth century BC. The earthquake of 226 BC
226 BC Rhodes earthquake
The Rhodes earthquake of 226 BC, which affected the island of Rhodes, Greece, is famous for having toppled the large statue known as the Colossus of Rhodes. Following the earthquake, the statue lay in place for nearly 8 centuries before being sold off by invaders...
destroyed the city and the temple. The earthquake of 142 BC destroyed the city for the second time.
The Acropolis was excavated by Alfred Biliotti
Alfred Biliotti
Sir Alfred Biliotti was a levantine Italian who joined the British foreign service and eventually rose to become one of its most distinguished consular officers in the late 19th century. Biliotti was also an accomplished archaeologist who conducted important excavations at sites in the Aegean,...
and Auguste Salzmann between 1852 and 1864. In 1928 the Italian Archaeological School began a systematic excavation of the area together with restoration work which continued until the end of the 2nd World War.
External links
- Official website
- Archaeological Site of Kamiros on the Hellenic Ministry of Culture Website