The Isthmus of Corinth once connected the Peloponnesus to Greece proper and derived its name from the large and prosperous ancient city of Corinth. This narrow strip of land which separated the Ionian Sea from the Aegean gave Corinth one of its chief sources of income. In ancient times ships were hauled from one sea to the other over a narrow, greased tramway and the shipowners had to pay a toll to the city as well as duties. They preferred to pay any price rather than make the long and dangerous voyage around the Cape of Meleas.
Corinth. “The City Of Love”. Because of the vast wealth that accumulated from the revenues and from the thriving commerce, Corinth became one of the most beautiful and fashionable cities in ancient Greece. Among the architectural masterpieces that were created at the high of Corinth’s splendor were the temple to Apollo and the celebrated temple to Aphrodite, goddess of Love which was built near the sea. Excavations have revealed the vast extent of the city, destroyed by earthquakes in Byzantine times. The ruins constitute the largest Roman Township in Greece.
