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Modern Description: Richly furnished Mycenaean chamber tombs (16th-14th century BC) at the site of Aidonia. Among the precious grave goods, gold signet rings and jewellery of various types. An important Early Helladic settlement (mid-3rd millennium BC) at the site of Petri, with elements of urban organization and interesting finds such as sealings.
In historical times the sanctuary of Zeus here was venue of the panhellenic Nemean Games, which were founded as funerary games in honour of the dead child Opheltes-Archemoros. The temple of Zeus was destroyed in the 6th century BC and rebuilt in 340-320 BC. Most of the ruined buildings now visible in the sanctuary date from the same period. The Classical peripteral temple has an underground adyton, perhaps an oracle. To the E are foundations of an oblong altar, to the S a square with a cypress grove and nine oikoi of the 5th century BC, a kind of lesche (ëέó÷ç) in which representatives of the cities resided for the duration of the games.
Shortly after the 4th century BC the hospice was constructed. An oblong building, it was covered by a Christian basilica and a bath in the 6th century AD. To the W a peribolos-heroon of Opheltes. The 4th-century BC stadium to the NW of the sanctuary is now restored. The athletes entered through a subterranean vaulted passage, on the walls of which their graffiti can be seen. The finds are exhibited in the local museum.
Wikidata ID: Q404064

Info: Archaeological Atlas of the Aegean

(Archaeological Atlas of the Aegean, Ministry of the Aegean)

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