Corinth, located on the narrow isthmus between northern Greece and the southern peninsula (Peloponnese), was one of the great cities of the ancient world. The site seems to have been occupied in Neolithic and Mycenaean times, but truly came into its own in the eighth century B.C., when eight small villages united to form the city. Corinth quickly became rich and famous for the export of its beautiful geometric and animal pottery. By the mid-eighth century it had became populous enough to establish colonies in Ithica and Korkyra on the Aegean islands, and Syracuse in Sicily. Controlling land and sea communications between central and southern Greece, it remained a major power until it began to be eclipsed by Athens in the sixth century B.C. It remained a key player in the Classical and Hellenistic eras, though usually in alliance with more militarily powerful city-states, until its final destruction by the Romans in 146 BC.

Antique Coins
Ancient coins