Many centuries before train tracks and locomotives, the ancient Greeks in the 7th century BC realized that it was possible to avoid the long and dangerous circumnavigation of the Peloponnese. In Corinth, the tyrant Periander ruled at the end of the 7th century BC — he was considered one of the Seven Sages of antiquity. It’s important to remember that the word “tyrant” had a different meaning back then.
There was a narrow strip of land between the Ionian Sea (the Gulf of Corinth) and the Aegean Sea (the Saronic Gulf). Across this narrow isthmus, about 6 to 8.5 kilometers long, a roadway was paved with volcanic stones that provided a solid grip for ships, which were placed on wheeled platforms and transported from one sea to the other, in both directions, using a complex system of winches.
The operation was quite costly, but the profits went into the state treasury of the city-state of Corinth. On the other hand, ships of that era — not being very large — could avoid the dangerous waters around the Peloponnese and save a great deal of time on their routes. This also meant significant economic savings, making it beneficial for everyone. The ships were not only commercial but also military — yet the polis didn’t mind (pecunia non olet — “money doesn’t stink”).
The ships were hauled by oxen and workers, and the path is still visible today, showing the grooves carved long ago by the wheels of the transport carts. In just a few hours, the vessels could move from one sea to the other — an extraordinary sight, no doubt.
Thus, the Greeks were not only philosophers and warriors; with this ingenious work, they demonstrated remarkable engineering skills. To find a similar feat, we must wait many centuries — for the Panama and Suez Canals.
As for the Diolkos, it remained in use until the 2nd century AD, when the service stopped. During his stay in Greece, Emperor Nero conceived an ambitious project: to actually cut through the isthmus. He brought about six thousand slaves for the task, but nothing came of it. The Venetians tried again in the 1600s, also without success.
After several attempts, the Corinth Canal was finally inaugurated in 1893, about ten years after the start of the works. It stretches 6.3 km long, 24.6 meters wide at its narrowest point, and about 8 meters deep — which limits passage to medium and small vessels. The canal walls, about 80 meters high, have always posed challenges to the structure’s stability. The view from above is still breathtaking today (I can assure you of that!).
If you liked this, give it a like, please. 👍
Lascia un commento