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Modern Description: The main north-south artery (cardo maximus) of the Roman city ultimately linked the Agora of Corinth with the harbor of Lechaion on the Corinthian gulf 3 kilometers to the north. In the time of Augustus, it was unpaved and was open to wheeled traffic. The road was paved with limestone slabs in the second half of the 1st century, when traffic was confined to pedestrians. At this period there were narrow pavements either side of the road with gutters to carry away rainwater. Rows of shops were created on both sides of the road, and colonnades and bases for dedications were set between the shops and the pavement. The road began to lose its importance from the 10th century A.D. onwards and was finally abandoned after the earthquake of 1858. ; Monuments to the West of the Lechaion Road: Today a row of sixteen small shops can clearly be made out the west side of the road. To the west of these shops, the most important building was a large Roman basilica (1st-2nd century A.D.), which was probably used as a courthouse. Its facade, facing the main area of the Forum, was adorned with colossal figures of Phrygian prisoners-of-war (late 2nd-early 3rd century A.D.) To the north of the basilica the remains of a commercial market are preserved. Later this was replaced by a new semicircular market with an Ionic colonnade.
Trismegistos Geo: 1163

Info: Corinth Excavations

(Corinth Excavations, American School of Classical Studies, ascsa.net)

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