Nemea (Archaeological site)

Nemea (Gr. Νεμέα) is an ancient site near the head of the valley of the River Elissos in the northeastern part of the Peloponnese, in Greece. Formerly part of the territory of Cleonae in Argolis, it is today part of the prefecture of Corinthia. The small village of Iraklion is immediately southwest of the archaeological site, while the town of New Nemea lies to the west.

Nemea was famous in Greek myth as the home of the Nemean Lion, which was killed by the hero Heracles, and as the place where the infant Opheltes, lying on a bed of parsley, was killed by a serpent while his nurse fetched water for the Seven on their way from Argos to Thebes. The Seven founded the Nemean Games in his memory, and the crown of victory was hence made of parsley and the judges wore black robes as a sign of mourning. The Nemean Games were held from 573 BC, or earlier, at the sanctuary of Zeus at Nemea. Three columns of the temple of the 4th century BC have stood since their construction and two more were reconstructed in 2002. As of late 2007, four more are being re-erected. The site around the temple has been excavated, including the great altar, bath, and hotel. The temple stands on the site of an Archaic period temple, of which only a foundation wall is still visible. The stadion has recently been discovered. It is notable for its well-preserved vaulted entrance tunnel, dated to about 320 B.C., with ancient graffiti on the walls.

The material discovered in the excavations is on display in a museum constructed as a part of the University of California's excavations.

Wine Region

Located in the Peloponnese, appx. 30 kilmeters from Korinth, the region was first noted for its winemaking by Homer who called it "Ameloessa" meaning "full of vines." Today, the appelation of Nemea is the most important red wine AOC of southern Greece and arguably of all of Greece. In Nemea, the indegionous Greek Agiorgitiko [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agiorgitiko] grape is used and produces wines famous for their deep red color, complex aroma and long, velvety palate. [http://www.allaboutgreekwine.com/regions.htm]

References

* Carl Blegen, "The American Excavation at Nemea, Season of 1924", "Art and Archaeology" 9, 1925
* B. H. Hill "The Temple of Zeus at Nemea" (Princeton 1966)
* Darice E. Birge, Lynn H. Kraynak, and Stephen] G. Miller, Nemea I, Topographical and Architectural Studies: The Sacred Square, the Xenon, and the Bath (Berkeley and Los Angeles 1992)
* Stephen G. Miller, Nemea II: The Early Hellenistic Stadium (Berkeley and Los Angeles 2001)
* Stephen G. Miller, Nemea: A Guide to the Site and the Museum, 2nd ed. (Athens 2004)
* Robert C.Knapp and John D. Mac Issac, Nemea III: The Coins (Berkeley and Los Angeles 2005)

External links

* [http://nemeacenter.berkeley.edu/ Nemea Center for Classical Archaeology page]
* [http://www.nemea.civil.upatras.gr/ Temple of Zeus Reconstruction Project page]
* [http://www.nemeagames.gr/ Society for the Revival of the Nemean Games page (in Modern Greek)]
* [http://www.nemea.org/ UC Berkeley page on Nemea]
* [http://www.culture.gr/2/21/211/21104a/e211da06.html Ministry of Culture page on the site]
* [http://www.brynmawr.edu/archaeology/NVAP/Index.htm Nemea Valley Archaeological Project, with pictures]
* [http://www.escholarship.org/editions/view?docId=ft1q2nb0x1&chunk.id=0&toc.depth=100&brand=eschol Nemea. A Guide to the Site and Museum]