Gelly Fragou

On Mikri Dragonara, an islet split by earthquakes, an important deposit of amphora and other vase sherds was found along with a rather large number of coins, rings and ring gems offered to the sanctuary of Poseidon, god of the seas and earthquakes, by the passing by mariners. The provenance of the offerings is from all around the Mediterranean and the Black Sea

The island of Kythera lies in the middle of the Aegean and the Mediterranean crossroads, on the axes north/ south and east/ west. The importance of the island is underlined by the fact that throughout its history major powers tried to subjugate and control it. The remains of the ancient capital are situated on the south slope of the Paliocastro hill, on the eastern side of the island. The city was surrounded by fortification wall and towers dating from the Archaic period. Excavations conducted at the site in 2010 and 2011 brought to light both structural remains of public character and burials. Several finds indicate that the island was linked to several areas of the Greek mainland, primarily Laconia. This paper discusses how life and death interrelate within the capital of the island of Kythera. Although ancient Greeks had certain ideas about death and, for practical and ideological reasons, they buried their dead beyond the limits of their citadels, the recent investigations on Kythera have brought death closer to life. This paper argues that the discovery of 7th c. BC burials in an area that was later enclosed by the fortification wall has significant implications for the topographical evolution of the city.

In the little islet of Mikri Dragonara Poseidon was worshiped as the God of earthquakes. The God’s hypostasis, as earthshaker, was well known in the Lacedaemonian periphery of the ancient world where this little islet is located as well as in other regions of the Ancient world.

There are five earthquake faults on the islet. Its geological condition support Poseidon’s hypostasis as the God of earthquakes. Situated in an important maritime trade route and taking into account the hazardous sea conditions in the area, it is not surprising that mariners from every corner of the Mediterranean world passing continuously for a course of almost 300 years dedicated an enormous amount of rare finds, seeking the God’s grace or simply thanking him for letting them sail safely. The most characteristic find are a number of gemstones and coins, some of which are traced for the first time in this part of the Aegean world.

Poseidon was worshipped as the god of earthquakes on the little islet of Mikri Dragonara (or Antidragonera). This hypostasis of Poseidon was well known in the Lacedaemonian area. The island of Kythera itself and the little islets that surrounding it belonged to the territory of Lacedaemonia for the longest period of their history.   
The islet of Mikri Dragonara bears five splits, resulting from earthquakes. The geological condition of the islet supports the hypostasis of Poseidon, as the god of earthquakes. Located in such an important route for trade and also in such a dangerous sea area, it is not surprising that the mariners who passed through the area for almost 300 years dedicated to the sanctuary an enormous amount of finds from many different areas of the Mediterranean world, some of which are very rarely found in excavations, seeking for the favor of the god or simply thanking him for their safety. The most characteristic are a number of gemstones and coins some of which are for first time traced on this part of the Aegean world.