Ancient Messene / Petros Themelis ; translated by Dr. Doniert Evely.

Includes bibliographical references.

Monuments and the public -- The foundation of the city -- The history of research -- The urban design -- The fortifications -- The Theatre: The 'church within a house', The Fountain house of Arsinoe, The Sanctuary of Isis and Sarapis, The Basilica, The north stoa of the Agora -- The Sanctuaries of the Agora: The inscribed pedestal of the horsemen, The Treasury, The Meat Market, The well with the infants -- The Asklepieion: The inscribed column of Damophon, The East Propylon, The Ekklesiasterion, The Bouleuterion, The Archive of the Secretary of the Synedroi, The Oikoi in the west wing, The Aremision (Oikos K), The Sebasteion, The Late Roman stoa, The first sancturary of Orthia, The Hellenistic Baths, Heroon D -- The Sanctuary of Demeter and the Dioskouroi -- The Urban Villa -- The Christian Settlement -- The Funerary Enclosure -- The Hierothysion -- The Stadium and Gymnasium: The Mausoleum of Saethidae -- The Sanctuary of Artemis Limnatis -- The Sanctuary of Eileithyia and the Kouretes -- The Temple of Zeus Ithomatas -- The Voulkano Monastery.

"The present edition offers a concise presentation of the archaeological site of Messene by its excavator and head of the restoration program, incorporating the latest results of archaeological research. Guided by informative texts, pictures and drawings, the visitor to the site can take in the history of the city, walk around its monumental fortifications and explore the Theatre, the Agora and its sanctuaries, the impressive Stadium with its Palaestra, as well as investigate the area of the funerary monuments. Through the history of the research in the ancient town and the enhancement and socialization of its monuments, the value of an interactive relationship between the visitors and the monuments becomes apparent
Ancient Messene, in its capacity as a functioning archaeological and ecological park, has acquired its own dynamics and self-sufficiency. This is because the potential offered by the majestic and simultaneously accessible and comprehensible remains of an entire ancient city, in combination with the controlled building activity in the surrounding modern settlements, has been substantially realized. In addition, the long-term investments in time and effort by all those who worked at the site since 1986 have paid dividends.
Along with other important remains from the long history of Messenia, and situated withing an unspoiled environment - the homeland of the blessed olive tree - reborn ancient Messene plays a decisive role, highlighting the region as a popular international tourist destination."-- Publisher's description.