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beginning of the 3rd c. A.D. The façades –thought to have fea-
tured clay pipes– are simple and undecorated. Yet, the interior
is adorned with rectangular and semicircular niches at a height
of 1.85 m. Marble statues with themes from the water world
and nature were placed there, as they were visible to those who
passed through the western gate thanks to the low walls on the
two open sides of the structures.
THE THERMAE
The spectacular thermae were constructed immediately after
the foundation of the city and were used mainly by the athletes
during the New Aktia Games. This complex of buildings with
interconnected halls and open spaces displays some of the
most characteristic features of Roman architecture, such as
arches, domes, apses, etc. Among other things, it also featured
a swimming pool (natatio) and a number of areas that had
gradual heating. The caldarium, the hot water area, was
connected with the tepidarium, the warm water area. Bathers
would then move on to the frigidarium, the cold water area.
The baths were kept warm by a central heating system, the
hypocaustum, which ensured the transfer of hot air through
ducts beneath the floors and inside the walls.
The Theatre THE MANSION OF MANIUS ANTONINUS
is kept in Βased on an owner’s inscription found at the premises, this
satisfactory
condition. luxury private mansion of the 2nd c. A.D. is believed to have
Το Θέατρο belonged to a man named Manius Antoninus. Five large
διατηρείται σε rooms, utility rooms, patio, kitchen, well and a cistern have
αρκετά καλή
κατάσταση. been revealed. Geometric motifs and a central emblem dating
back to the same era are the key elements of the mosaic floor-
ing that decorated the first large room. Elsewhere the floor was
decorated with marble. A corridor with mosaic flooring that
led to the courtyard was also revealed, but it is damaged.
THE AQUEDUCT
The aqueduct transferred water to the city through a duct.
in the city centre next to the forum and The tunnel that was dug out for that purpose passed through
used to host talks, races and theatrical per- mountains and over arched bridges. The water ran down from
formances during the New Aktia Games. the springs of Louros to the nymphaeum and from there it was
The rest of the time it most likely hosted delivered to the buildings in the city. According to estimations,
political assemblies, acting as a parliamen- it was constructed after the foundation of Nikopolis, but it is
tary chamber. also possible that it was built in the time of Emperor Hadrian
(2nd c.). Emperor Julian (4th c.) undertook maintenance work
THE NYMPHAEUM and the aqueduct remained in use only until the middle of the
Located near the western gate of the Roman 5th c. A.D. In recent years, several projects have helped support,
walls, it consists of two brick structures facing bolster and bring out the beauty of the aqueduct system.
each other at a distance of 23 metres. They
provided a roof for the two large cisterns that Η Νικόπολη στην Πρέβεζα, η πόλη της νίκης, όπως
collected the water of the Louros springs for δηλώνει το όνομά της, ιδρύθηκε από τον Γάιο Ιούλιο
the city’s water supply. Until recently, it was Καίσαρα Οκταβιανό και μετέπειτα Ρωμαίο αυτοκράτορα
dated to the time of Augustus, but today it Αύγουστο, ως σύμβολο της νίκης του εναντίον του Μάρκου
is believed to have been constructed much Αντώνιου και της Κλεοπάτρας στη Ναυμαχία του Ακτίου.
later, in the second half of the 2nd and at the Με τα τρία λιμάνια της υπήρξε σημαντικότατος εμπορικός
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