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The construction phases of the «Octagon» of Galerius’ palace complex in Thessaloniki

• Αθανασίου, Φανή
• Μάλαμα, Βενετία
• Μίζα, Μαρία
• Σαραντίδου, Μαρία

The Octagon of the Galerius Palace complex was built on top of earlier Roman ruins of the third century. The erection of the building -in accordance with the excavation data to date- had been foreseen in the initial design project of the palace in Navarinou Square. The commencement of the reconstruction work is most likely dated after AD 308, when according to some researchers Galerius’ official headquarters was transferred from Serdiki to Thessaloniki. The building was originally designed as an equilateral octagon with an externally rectangular vestibule, which leads south to a large peristyle and was most probably designed as the throne room or the palaces’ reception room.In the first construction phase, which is dated up to the death of Galerius in AD 311, the foundations of the vestibule, the foundations of the octagonal room as well as a section of its upper-walls to a height of 1,20 m from the ground were built from the initial building design. With Galerius’ death, work on the Octagon ceased and probably started again after the Mediolanum Decree in AD 313, during the reign of Constantine the Great (phase two). During this period, the building was probably converted into a church and the Octagon’s upper-walls, vestibule and southern peristyle were finished. The completion of the interior decoration is dated to the 4th century AD. In the third construction phase, dated to the 5th century, the tomb in the large niche and probably the two rooms attached externally to the large niche of the Octagon were constructed. The cruciform plan of these two rooms was partially modified at the construction stage. In subsequent years, the portico of the eastern room was built, whose initial shape later changed as a result of the incorporation of stairs in the northern section.The destruction of the Octagon and the conversion of its vestibule into a cistern, is dated to the 7th century, a period when Thessaloniki was devastated by severe earthquakes which destroyed most of the city’s buildings. After the collapse of the monument, its eastern external room most probably continued to function, which however, by that time, could only be accessed from the north.

• History and Archaeology
• Arts

• Αρχαιολογία
• Architecture, Ancient

αρχαία ελληνική αρχιτεκτονική, Θεσσαλονίκη, συνέδρια

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