The Archaeological Museum of Nikopolis excellently tells the story of the city founded by Octavian Augustus as a victory city after his defeat of Antony and Cleopatra at Actium. It houses finds from the city (including the later Christian city) and from the Monument of Augustus which commemorated his victory. Pictured below is the sole remaining fragment of a ram from one of the ships of Antony and Cleopatra which Octavian Augustus had displayed at his Monument.
and this cool set up of amphorae that been discovered in a sea wreck:
The last site of the day was at the Nekromanteion or, as we discovered, the fortified farmstead of Ephyra. Mike gave his report there and really had me going with his story about the labyrinth layout and magic beans leading to hallucinogenic experiences. Alas, those catapult ratchets ruined the Nekromanteion theory, though the site is still advertised and set up as though it is a Nekromanteion.
The day culminated in a swim in the Ambracian Gulf near the hotel. Amazing. I don't have pictures because I didn't take my camera to the beach, but I think someone did, so maybe I will get a copy to share later.
It doesn't look like much, but how cool is that? A piece of one of Cleopatra's (or Antony's) ships? No camera flashes are allowed inside the museum so the pictures aren't great. Here are a couple I wanted to include anyway. The first is of children's games:
and this cool set up of amphorae that been discovered in a sea wreck:
After the museum we visited the early Christian basilicas of Nikopolis which have amazing mosaic floors.
Ben delivered his report, telling us about the construction of the church buildings and the surrounding walls which I climbed.
Next we visited the Memorial Complex which has this very long Latin inscription. Ally gave her report in which I learned that ten blocks of the inscription were lost during WWII when Italian soldiers melted them down to make lye. Sad.
Octavian Augustus picked this spot for the memorial because it looks directly down on Actium where the battle took place.
Before we left the site, we stopped at the stadium which hasn't really been excavated. Space enough for a race though!
Our next stop was Kassope, an ancient city up in the mountains, which proved to be my favorite of the day. Sitting in the city's "little theater," we listened to Andrew's report. Highlights of the site include the paved city streets and the shopping center (katagogion in Greek; it may have been a hotel instead).
The last site of the day was at the Nekromanteion or, as we discovered, the fortified farmstead of Ephyra. Mike gave his report there and really had me going with his story about the labyrinth layout and magic beans leading to hallucinogenic experiences. Alas, those catapult ratchets ruined the Nekromanteion theory, though the site is still advertised and set up as though it is a Nekromanteion.
Each day of the tour seems enchanted. Thanks again.
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