Catapult tower in walls from E, Sounion, Fortification Walls

Catapult tower interior from SW, Sounion, Fortification Walls

Tower in N fortification wall, Sounion, Fortification Walls

Plan, Sounion, Fortification Walls

Context: Sounion
Type: Fortification
Summary: Wall with towers and gates; surrounding the town on the western side of the promontory, also enclosing the Sanctuary of Poseidon.
Date: ca. 450 BC - ca. 400 BC
Dimensions:

Area covered: ca. 350 m x 220 m.

Region: Attica
Period: Classical


Plan:

Abuts peribolos wall of Sanctuary of Poseidon on southern end running north then west to the western coast of the peninsula. Ten towers of varying size at irregular intervals. A small gate between (counting from the wall's southern end) towers 2 and 3, was enclosed by a later bastion. The main entrance was at the western end.

History:

The promontory was fortified during the Peloponnesian war. The small gate near the sanctuary later became an interior entrance to the bastion, which may date to 263-229 B.C. The section of the wall running east-west was less finely built than walls running north-south, possibly because steeper terrain there offers greater natural protection. The main entrance toward the western end was protected by a large rectangular building, possibly a guard house or barracks.

Other Bibliography:

Davaras 1979, 21-26