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The Fortifications of Arkadian Poleis in the Classical and Hellenistic Periods

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The Fortifications of Arkadian Poleis in the Classical and Hellenistic Periods THE FORTIFICATIONS OF ARKADIAN POLEIS IN THE CLASSICAL AND HELLENISTIC PERIODS by Matthew Peter Maher BA, The University of Western Ontario, 2002 BA, The University of Western Ontario, 2005 MA, The University of British Columbia, 2007 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in The Faculty of Graduate Studies (Classics) THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Vancouver) March 2012 © Matthew Peter Maher, 2012 Abstract This study comprises a comprehensive and detailed account of the historical development of Greek military architecture and defensive planning specifically in Arkadia in the Classical and Hellenistic periods. It aims to resolve several problems, not least of all, to fill the large gap in our knowledge of both Arkadian fortifications and the archaeology record on the individual site level. After establishing that the Arkadian settlements in question were indeed poleis, and reviewing all previous scholarship on the sites, the fortification circuit of each polis is explored through the local history, the geographical/topographical setting, the architectural components of the fortifications themselves, and finally, the overall defensive planning inherent in their construction. Based an understanding of all of these factors, including historical probability, a chronology of construction for each site is provided. The synthesis made possible by the data gathered from the published literature and collected during the field reconnaissance of every site, has confirmed a number of interesting and noteworthy regionally specific patterns. Related to chronology, it is significant that there is no evidence for fortified poleis in Arkadia during the Archaic period, and when the poleis were eventually fortified in the Classical period, the fact that most appeared in the early fourth century BCE, strategically distributed in limited geographic areas, suggests that the larger defensive concerns of the Arkadian League were a factor. Regarding the construction and architecture of the city walls, not only where the fortifications of every polis comprised of a mudbrick superstructure, but in all periods, polygonal masonry and trapezoidal masonry were equally viable options for the stone foundations. In this regard, it is established that when used alone, the type of masonry is not a reliable stylistic indicator for establishing the relative date of a circuit. Moreover, it is interesting to note that the location of every single site chosen was provided with protection in the form of some sort of watercourse. Finally, concerning innovations in siege warfare and offensive artillery, the defensive responses of the Arkadian fortifications follow the same general developments observable in the circuits found throughout the Greek world. ii Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................ ii Table of Contents ........................................................................................................... iii List of Tables ................................................................................................................. vii List of Figures ............................................................................................................... viii Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................... xiv Dedication ....................................................................................................................... xv 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background ............................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Theoretical Assumptions: Arkadia, Walls, and the Polis ....................................... 7 1.3 Chronological Range of the Study .......................................................................... 9 1.4 Objectives of the Present Study ............................................................................ 11 1.4.1 Towards an Accurate Chronology ............................................................ 11 1.4.2 Towards a Relationship Between Fortifications and Topography ............ 12 1.4.3 Towards an Inventory of Arkadian Fortifications .................................... 13 1.4.4 Towards a Regional Fortification Synthesis ............................................. 13 1.4.5 Towards an Historical Awareness ............................................................ 14 1.5 Limitations of the Study ........................................................................................ 14 1.6 Sources and Evidence ........................................................................................... 16 1.7 Methodology ......................................................................................................... 19 1.7.1 Site Selection ............................................................................................ 19 1.7.2 Data Collection ......................................................................................... 20 1.7.3 Interpretation of Data ................................................................................ 21 2. Arkadia as a Clearly Defined Study Area ............................................................... 24 2.1 Arkadia as a Geographical Concept ...................................................................... 24 2.2 Arkadia as an Ethnic Concept ............................................................................... 30 2.3 Arkadia as a Political Concept .............................................................................. 39 3. Greek Fortifications: Scholarship, Technology, and Terminology ....................... 46 3.1 Previous Scholarship on Greek Fortifications ...................................................... 47 3.2 Strategic Development of Arkadian Fortifications ............................................... 52 3.2.1 Choice of Site .............................................................................................52 3.2.2 Arkadian Settlement Patterns .....................................................................58 3.3 Materials and Construction Techniques ................................................................ 61 3.3.1 Building Materials .................................................................................... 61 3.3.2 Mudbrick Walls on a Stone Socle ............................................................. 64 3.3.3 Stone Walls with Battlements and Tower Chambers of Brick and Wood ....................................................................................... 65 3.3.4 Internal Structure of Curtain Walls ........................................................... 67 3.3.5 Assumptions Concerning the Masonry of Greek Walls ........................... 69 3.3.6 Classification and Treatment of Masonr ................................................... 70 3.3.7 Stylistic Chronology of Masonry and its Limitations ............................... 74 iii 3.4 Tactical Concepts: Fortifications and their Constituent Parts ............................... 79 3.4.1 Curtains and Battlements .......................................................................... 79 3.4.2 Towers ....................................................................................................... 83 3.4.3 Gateways ................................................................................................... 88 3.4.4 Posterns and Outworks ............................................................................. 94 3.5 Fortifications and the Rise of Poliorketics ............................................................ 96 3.5.1 The Decline of the Hoplite ........................................................................ 96 3.5.2 The Ascendancy of Artillery in the Fourth Century BCE ........................ 98 3.5.3 Greek Fortifications Respond ................................................................. 101 4. The Fortified Poleis of Eastern Arkadia ................................................................ 108 4.1 Ancient Alea ....................................................................................................... 108 4.1.1 Geography and Topography ................................................................... 110 4.1.2 The Fortifications .................................................................................... 112 4.1.3 Strategy, Tactics, and Defensive Planning ............................................. 124 4.1.4 Chronology ............................................................................................. 127 4.2 Ancient Nestane .................................................................................................. 132 4.2.1 Geography and Topography ................................................................... 135 4.2.2 The Fortifications .................................................................................... 137 4.2.3 Strategy, Tactics, and Defensive Planning ............................................. 143 4.2.4 Chronology ............................................................................................. 146 4.3 Ancient Mantineia ............................................................................................... 147 4.3.1 Geography
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