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Amantia
Amantia was a typical Illyrian hilltop settlement,with an original walled enclosure
about 500m long and 60m wide.The walls extend for 2200m.It was established about 350BC,
probably by members of the Taulanti tribe.A large fort was built with two gates and two defensive towers to the north.
It occupied an important defensive position above the Vjosa river valley to the east,and on the road to
the coast and the Bay of Vlora. It appears to have grown into a prosperous and influencial
urban centre quite quickly, in contrast to some of the Illyrian sites in the north where a
more primitive rural culture remained dominant.
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The work Coastal Passage,attributed to Scylax ,links it closely with ancient
Oricum,in the Bay of Vlora.It was among the earliest Illyrian cities to mint its own
coins.It was included in the Epirote League in 230 BC.After the period of Greek colonisation
it came under the influence of Apollonia.In the Roman period it declined in importance
and was bypassed by the Egnatian and Candavian Ways. Amantia remained a small urban centre
and in early Christian times was the seat of a bishop.It is thought that it may
have been abandoned by the end of the 6C AD.
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The Stadium is about 100m below the
site to the south-east and is the principal monument.Excavations have revealed that it was used
for athletic contests inkluding ruunning races,boxing,javelin and discus throuwing.It is 55m long and
12,25m wide. There are 17 tiers of seats on the west side,eight tears on the east side,that could accommodate about 4000
people.A number of Greek inscriptions have been found on some stones.The stadium was constructed in the 3C BC
and remained in use until 3C AD. Walking up from the stadium ,in north-west direction,you come to
the south-east side of the fort,with remains of low walls visible below the small acropolis.
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Turn left and walk along the walls to the south-west,after about 200m are the
foundations of a temple of aphrodite,then about another 100m,a particularly well-preserved section
of Illyrian Wall ,built of polygonal
shaped masonry.The skill and sophistication of the construction technique is a sign
of the advanced culture of the city in Illyrian times.Turning right here,and crossing the site to
the north ,you come to the foundation of an early defensive tower. About 100m down the hillside,below the section
of Illyrian wall , are the remains of a small early christian church and an ancient temple.
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There are column bases for Dorian columns at the east and west sides.
It is thought it may have been built in the 2C BC, rebuilt in the 1C AD,while the church
was constructed in the early 6C. The copius use of marble in the church
suggests that a relatively wealthy small community must have existed here at that time. 13km
north-west of Amantia ,1km off the main road to modern city of Vlora , is the village
of Mavrova. This is belived to be the site of ancient Olympe ,a small settlement
that was subject to Amantia.
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Welcome to Albania
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