Roman and Early Christian buildings

A standing apse, defiantly abutting the ancient altar, announces a later Christian presence on the site in the form of a 5th century ad Christian basilica, constructed al most entirely out of blocks and fragments taken from the pagan buildings—many of them with inscriptions. The basilica is fitted snugly in between two pre-existing 2nd century ad, Roman constructions, whose walls and floors it incorporates: a small Corinthian-style shrine at its northwest corner and the Roman temple to Hera along its south side, built to house the cult statue, while work on the still unfinished great temple languished. There are also the remains of a complex of small, late Roman, thermal baths just to the west of the basilica. All these later buildings occupy the sacred space between altar and temple.

   To have an idea of how beautifully decorated the Christian basilica was in later centuries, it is necessary to look at the fragments beside the modern storehouse at the south edge of the archaeological area, where a number of carved Middle Byzantine basket and wheel-de sign elements of rare beauty, belonging formerly to its templon, are propped against the outside wall of the building. Nearby are other entablature fragments from an early Doric structure.

Samos Island is part of the Northern Aegean Island Group, Greece.

Contact Us

We're not around right now. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

Start typing and press Enter to search