09-02-2006, 05:54 AM
The Tunnel of Eupalinos at Samos was described by Herodot and rediscovered in the 1880s on the basis of his admiring account:
Literature:
The Tunnel of Eupalinos
Tom M. Apostol: Tunnel of Samos
Dan Hughes: The Tunnel of Eupalinos
Hermann J. Kienast - Die Wasserleitung des Eupalinos auf Samos (German)
Concerning the breakwater at Samos though, another of the works described by Herodot, I could not find much. Perhaps someone can help out with some starting references. Was the dam at a right angle to the dominant wave direction or did it confront it frontally with its full lenght? Is this breakwater the first of its kind in Greece or perhaps even in the Mediterranean? And do we have evidence of subsequent breakwater building among the Greeks and Romans?
Quote:...and about the Samians I have spoken at greater length, because they have three works which are greater than any others that have been made by Hellenes: first a passage beginning from below and open at both ends, dug through a mountain not less than a hundred and fifty fathoms [200 m] in height; the length of the passage is seven furlongs and the height and breadth each eight feet, and throughout the whole of it another passage has been dug twenty cubits in depth and three feet in breadth, through which the water is conducted and comes by the pipes to the city, brought from an abundant spring: and the designer of this work was a Megarian, Eupalinos the son of Naustrophos. This is one of the three...
Literature:
The Tunnel of Eupalinos
Tom M. Apostol: Tunnel of Samos
Dan Hughes: The Tunnel of Eupalinos
Hermann J. Kienast - Die Wasserleitung des Eupalinos auf Samos (German)
Concerning the breakwater at Samos though, another of the works described by Herodot, I could not find much. Perhaps someone can help out with some starting references. Was the dam at a right angle to the dominant wave direction or did it confront it frontally with its full lenght? Is this breakwater the first of its kind in Greece or perhaps even in the Mediterranean? And do we have evidence of subsequent breakwater building among the Greeks and Romans?
Stefan (Literary references to the discussed topics are always appreciated.)
