Ancient village of Isthmia

Isthmia is an ancient Greek village near the city of Corinth. It is located at the southern entrance to the Corinth Canal, where the Isthmian Games were held in ancient times. Not far from the village are the ruins of the temple of Poseidon, an ancient stadium and an ancient theater. Isthmia is located on a narrow stretch of land connecting Central Greece with the Peloponnese and has been a problem for merchant ships since ancient times. Since it separated the Saronic Gulf from the Corinthian Gulf and made the passage from one bay to the other dangerous, tedious and laborious. During the time of Periander, the stone road Diolkos was built from the beach of Skynountas to the western end of the canal. This road was 3.5-5 meters wide, paved with cobblestones and was used for the transportation of light ships. The road was especially important for warships when they needed to be quickly transferred from one bay to another. The legend of Melikert - Palemon who drowned in the Saronic Gulf and his dead body was brought to the shore by a dolphin. King of Corinth Sisyphus, Melikert's uncle, buried him with honors and created in his honor the first Isthmian Games. Which date back to 582 b.c. and were held every two years. Winners were awarded with a wreath of pine and later of wild celery. In 67 a.d. even the Roman Emperor Nero himself participated in the Isthmian Games.