Larisa on the Hermos. Eastern Greek Aristocratic or Tyrant Seats, Aeolian Founding and Finding Place of Aeolian Pottery

Based on the critical consideration of the excavation publication and the preliminary reports as well as the evaluation of the pottery finds of the Archaeological Collection of the University of Göttingen that have not been used for the publication, a new evaluation of Larisa’s role was possible. The main results include: the historical background of the time of Larisa’s king, aristocracy, tyrant, democracy led rule was understood as well as the relations to the Persians and Athenians. The known interpretation of the so-called old palace as based on eastern examples was also ruled out as pure projection. A destruction of Larisa during the Ionian Revolts was proven and explained that the establishment of a living quarter, a palace quarter with a Megaron (!) and an old sanctuary was separated from a castle in 498. During the same time, the sanctuary was renewed. It is even clearer than the publication of the excavation hints, that the renewed structure was residence to an eastern Greek tyrant that was dependent from the Persian empire. It could also be inferred that Larisa belonged to the Delian League from 450 BC onwards (until 412 BC). There is evidence that the settlement of Greeks could already have taken place around 1000 BC and in the form of peaceful resettlement. The Greek character of the place that has been tangible since 700 BC, could not only be observed in the rich ceramic material but also in the badly published archaic-classical necropolis of which four belonging tombs could be analyzed for the first time. This was able to provide insight into the rites of burial and also the socio-political circumstances and their changes throughout time.

Supervision: Prof. Dr. Dieter Hertel