Page 145 - GREC14N_EFL_01
P. 145

PVK





                                                     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


                                                                                             145
   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150