GREECE PELOPONNESE ARCADIA DOLIANA VILLA

Next to the road from Astros to Tripoli lie the remains of the "Villa of Herodes Atticus". Born into a wealthy family, Herodes Atticus (AD 101-177) was a distinguished and rich Greek aristocrat, orator and philosopher who served as a Roman senator. Appointed consul at Rome in 143, he was the first Greek to hold the rank of consul ordinarius. Herodes Atticus had a distinguished reputation for his literary work, most of which is now lost, and was a philanthropist, a patron of public works and a prominent art collector, creating one of the most admirable collections of his time. He is described as "patron of the arts and letters (and himself a writer and scholar of importance), public benefactor on an imperial scale, not only in Athens but elsewhere in Greece and Asia Minor, holder of many important posts, friend and kinsman of emperors."

From his father, Atticus, he inherited a small villa in Doliana and when Herodes completed his studies in Rome and Athens, he moved into this villa, expanding it to 20'000 m² and turning it into his private museum.

The site was already known in the 19th century and identified in 1906. After a small rescue excavation 1977 more systematic work followed in 1979-1996. The numerous finds of sculptures and mosaics are shown in different museums.

Unfortunately, during my visits in September 2019 and 2020, the site was fenced and locked. From outside, not very much could be seen. The mosaic floors have probably been removed anyway.

On the other side of the Loukou monastery there is an ancient aqueduct (it is definitely not a bridge considering its narrowness). It is dated to the Imperial Roman times and provided the villa of Herodes Atticus and presumably other places with water. From a closer distance you can see that it is not a built construction but natural rock, and I can only imagine that the arches have been carved into it.

Above right: This view clearly shows that the construction was only a narrow aqueduct, not a bridge. - Below left: Following the path some 50 m you can see remains of the old water mill serving the monastery.