The diolkos was a paved trackway across the Isthmus of Corinth, over which ships could be hauled overland between the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf, to save them sailing around the Peloponnese.
First built probably by Periander around 600 b.c., it is mentioned by Thucydides as something granted, thus already ancient. After Actium in 31 B.C. Octavian shipped warships across the Diolkos to pursue Antony and Cleopatra to Asia and then Egypt.
Although unique in its kind and rich in history, the Diolkos has never been protected since the time of excavation (~1960), progressively crumbling into the water at its western end.
In an effort to save and restore the defenceless structure, we have created an international petition at
www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/870477005
We invite you to sign and help preserve this historical monument.
Sofia Loverdou – freelance science journalist
Yiannis Balafoutas – Retired teacher, writer
More information and images in ENGLISH, at www.greece.org:8080/opencms/opencms/HEC_Projects/DIOLKOS/
Images and comments in GREEK, at www.greekarchitects.gr/index.php?maincat=8&newid=890 (2 pages)
