INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright materia), had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand corner and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6" x 9" black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. University Microfilms International A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zeeb Road. Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 Order Number 9325578 Pagan cult and Late Antique society in the Corinthia Rothaus, Richard Martin, Ph.D. The Ohio State University, 1993 U MI 300 N. Zeeb Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48106 PAGAN CULT AND LATE ANTIQUE SOCIETY IN THE CORINTHIA DISSERTATION Presented in Parital Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of the Ohio State University By Richard M. Rothaus, B.A., MA. The Ohio State University 1993 Dissertation Committee Approved by T.E. Gregory J.M. Balcer Ad\psc S.I. Johnston Department /of History T|K£v dq TO Xei\|/ava ixov \epwv KOjj.i£a>v o\> Xifiavorrav, oi>x tepeiov, oi) ntip, ov cT7iov8fjv, o\) yap e^f|v, aXka. v|/dxtiv dXyotxrav koi (Jxovtiv o&upojjivriv koci SeSaKpunevriv koi Saicpixov a<j>op|id<; Kai pXencov £iq yf|v, 16 yap £iq ovpavov a<|xxX.£p6v. Mea Familia Paige, Benjamin, Matthew ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Jack Balcer's friendship and guidance, especially when I first came to The Ohio State University, provided the background necessary to undertake this study. Timothy Gregory has guided this dissertation not only with enthusiasm and interest, but with openness and patience. More importantly he has become a valued friend. My parents have provided moral and financial support at crucial moments and made an enjoyable and exciting project possible. My wife Paige has shared her reserves of patience and been tolerant of a variety of behaviors manifested over the past few years. My debt to her is too great to be expressed here. My sons, Benjamin and Matthew, have given me perspective, joy, and meaning. iii VITA 22 July 1964 Born - Trenton, New Jersey 1985 B.A., The Florida State University, Tallahasee, Florida 1989 M.A., Vanderbilt Unversity, Nashville, Tennessee 1990 Gennadeion Fellow, The American School of Classical Studies at Athens 1991 Associate Member, The American School of Classical Studies at Athens PUBLICATIONS "Urban Space, Agricultural Space and Villas in Late Roman Corinth." International Scientific Colloquium on Rural Structures and Ancient Societies, 1992. Paris: Les Belles Lettres, in press. "Earthquakes and Temples in Late Antique Corinth." Earthquakes in the Archaeological Record: Palaeoseismological and Archaeological Aspects, 1991. British School at Athens, in press. "Omne Ignotum Pro Sacro: Gameboards and Religious Graffiti." Oxford Journal of Archaeology 11;3 (1992) 365-368. "The Single Burial ofPolyneices." Classical Journal 85 (1990) 209-217. FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: History iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS iii VITA iv LIST OF FIGURES vi PREFACE 1 INTRODUCTION 4 CHAPTER PAGE I. CORINTH AND THE CORINTHIA IN LATE ANTIQUITY.... 9 H. BROKEN TEMPLES AND PAGAN CULT 47 IE. STATUARY IN LATE ANTIQUE CORINTH 97 IV. THE FOUNTAIN OF THE LAMPS 130 V. KENCHREAI, EASTERN PORT OF CORINTH 142 VI. ISTHMIA AND THE ISTHMIAN GAMES 168 VH. THE CHURCHES OF CORINTH 190 CONCLUSION 204 APPENDICES A GAZETEER OF THE LATE ROMAN CORINTHIA 213 B. FIGURES 218 LIST OF REFERENCES 243 v LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE PAGE 1. ROMAN CORINTH 219 2. EARLY CHRISTIAN CORINTH 220 3. THE CORINTHIA 221 4. LATE ROMAN SITES IN THE CORINTHIA 222 5. THE ASKLEPIEION 223 6. KENCHREAI 224 7. THE VILLA AT KENCHREAI 225 8. AREOPAGOS HOUSES B AND C (ATHENS) 226 9. SOUTH PIER (KENCHREAI) 227 10. SOUTHWEST AREA (KENCHREAI) 228 11. THE NYMPHAEUM (KENCHREAI) 229 12. THE NYMPHAEUM AT BALA 230 13. THE BASILICA AT KENCHREAI 231 14. ISTHMIA 232 15. EAST FIELD (ISTHMIA) 233 16. THE THEATER AT ISTHMIA 234 17. THE ROMAN BATH AT ISTHMIA 235 18. LECHAION BASILICA 236 19. SKOUTELAS BASILICA 237 vi • r 20. STIKOS BASILICA 238 21. KRANEION BASILICA 239 22. ACROCORINTH BASILICA 240 23. TEMPLE HILL BASILICA 241 24. PLACEMENT OF CHURCHES IN CORINTH 242 vii PREFACE This dissertation is largely a product of over two years spent living and working in Greece. Its genesis in this intense period was influenced by a vast array of individuals. I have tried to indicate my greatest debts here but the list is, of course, incomplete, and I apologize for omissions. Many brief encounters have proven essential but cannot be mentioned here. This dissertation would not have been possible without the acceptance the archaeologists of Greece and the Corinthia offered to an outsider and a newcomer. Many individuals, even when in strong disagreement with my goals, methodologies and conclusions, eagerly assisted me and offered frank evaluations of my work, which, though not always heeded, have been noted. Timothy Gregory, director of the Ohio State University Excavations at Isthmia, first introduced me to the archaeology of Greece and the potential for archaeology as a serious and even unique historical source. Prof. Gregory also has allowed me complete access to the material from the Ohio State University Excavations and provided permission to browse and learn. It was at Isthmia where I first was introduced to the art of reading notebook as text. Jean Marty has been an invaluable pottery consultant. Elizabeth Gebhard and Fritz Hemans of the University of Chicago Excavations at Isthmia provided me not only with information about their work at Isthmia, but much needed early guidance about how to pose archaeological questions (although I doubt they knew they were doing this at the time). Prof. Gebhard has continued to be of invaluable assistance in addressing much larger issues, and many a pointed question or remark has led me to unsuspected resources and conclusions. An evening conversation about the 1 methods and goals of archaeological study and publication, while not ending in agreement, has deeply influenced me. As an associate member of the American School I had the opportunity to travel with the regular members, and their lessons, planned and ad hoc in architecture and art history have been a base from which I was able to broaden my vision. Special mention must be made of Sheila Dillon and Tina Salloway who have proven to be unwitting and valuable teachers. Mark Landon has shown himself friend and avid commentator. John Camp introduced me to much of what I know of Greece outside the Corinthia, was enthusiastic about endless questioning, and amenable to discussions about the Athenian Agora. David Jordan has greatly influenced my work, especially my analysis of the Fountain of the Lamps, and aided my family in many non-academic ways. A special debt is owed to Judith Binder, who tirelessly discussed the complexities of late Roman Greece with me. Her vast knowledge and commitment to inquiry often not only helped overcome seemingly impossible problems with the evidence, but also encouraged me in both my topic and methodology. My chapter on sculpture was created largely in a series of discussions with her in the Saloni. Mrs. Binder guided me in the study of lamps by acting as a continual resource and her moral support enabled me to overcome problems engendered both by the archaeological material and discipline. Robert Scranton has allowed complete access to the material at Kenchreai and has actively encouraged me in my re-evaluation of this site. Tragically, Prof. Scranton passed away while this dissertation was in progress and with great remorse I note that I never was able to meet this most sharing and open man in person. Hector Williams and Wilma Stern, as well as Robert Hohlfelder, have all encouraged my work on this site. C.K. Williams II opened the doors of Corinth excavations and gave me ample freedom to explore. Mr. Williams' willingness to allow me to peruse and browse, even when I was unsure of what I was looking for and what to do with what I found, created opportunities for which I truly am grateful. While many were denying me access to things excavated decades ago, Mr. Williams allowed and encouraged my work. Moreover, work at Corinth never entailed adherence to any specific methodology; a spirit of free and open inquiry prevailed. While the staff of the Corinth Excavations, especially Orestes Zervos, Nancy Bookidis and Kathleen Slane, were willing to discuss my work and interpretations and were honest in their appraisals and criticisms, their interest and co-operation was never predicated upon my agreement with their interpretations. This dissertation would not have been possible, for a variety of reasons, without the hospitality of Corinth. Ramsay MacMullen's scholarship inspired this dissertation and his personal interest and support in this and other projects have provided much needed encouragement.