GREECE PELOPONNESE KORINTHIA ISTHMIA HEXAMILION

The Hexamilion ("six-miles-wall") was a fortification built across the Isthmus in 408-450 AD under the reign of Theodosius II to defend the Peloponnese against incursions of the Visigoths from the North. To this end many structures of the region were used to provide building material, especially the Sanctuary of Poseidon. During the reign of Justinian in the 6th century AD the Hexamilion was reinforced but could not prevent the invasion of the Slavs.

Because of the long time of its construction the appearance of the Hexamilion is not the same in all its parts. Sometimes older walls were incorporated which may even be Mycenaean. Nevertheless, the overall construction that the outer (north, north-east) side of the wall was usually built of large blocks of stone, with the interior side built similar but a bit less carefully. The intermediate space was then filled with mortar and rubble, making a wall of 4-5 m thickness.

Above: Location of the sections of the Hexamilion that I have visited. - Below: The remains on the street corner (Nr. 1 on the map) near the Sanctuary of Poseidon.

Above and below: A larger part of the Hexamilion is preserved in the Palea EO Athinon Korinthou street. The exterior sides of the wall consist of large blocks of stone, the intermediate space being filled with mortar and rubble.