Re: Factional Capitals of the EB II time frame
Pella Hellenistic Macedonia
Following the death of Perdiccas in 413 BC, and the ensuing palace intrigues, the reformer Archelaus built a new palace at Pella and there transferred the capital of Macedonia about 22 miles northeast, from the old city of Aigai. Pella was established on a series of low ridges that extended southwest to the edge of Lake Loudiaka (the blue area) and the surrounding wetlands (the green area). By the Hellenistic Period Pella may have had a population of several 100,000 and was composed of four discrete components; including the old quarter, the palace, the new quarter, and the river harbor.
This view is from the northeast at a high angle looking southwest. The old quarter was located on the highest portion of the main ridge (within the walls and left center). The palace was situated on a low promontory island just to the west of the old quarter. Here portions of a large royal palace have been excavated. This area was included with the main city wall, but was separated by a swampy channel and another wall. This island was connected to the new quarter by a wide causeway and a bridge.
The new quarter was located southwest and south of the old quarter and palace. With an Agora (center) that covered about seven hectares, at the center of this area, it was organized using the street grid and city block system. This was the main residential/commercial area, and this method of design was also known as the Hippodamean Plan. At Pella about 176 of these rectangular city blocks were identified, which measured 45x111-152 meters. The view below is from the south at a low angle looking north. The city grid pattern was dominated by one large east-west (which was centered on the Agora) and two north-south (which flank the Agora and lead to the river harbor) running streets.
Immediately south of the new quarter and outside the main fortifications was the river harbor. The current reconstruction of this area is speculative as this it has been largely destroyed by a modern hydraulic drainage project. When functional, the river harbor on Lake Loudiaka managed traffic coming directly up the Loudias River from the Thermaic Gulf. Historically, Lake Loudiaka completely silting in, which in part compelled the founding of a new port city and the initial economic and political decline of Pella.
For a sense of scale one will note a very small figure standing in the opening of the center gate house that opens to the river harbor. This represents an adult human, however its important to remember that in order to fit the EB format, the model’s scale is about 10:1. One will also notice that due to the various natural water obstacles an enemy army could only effectively advance on a very narrow front.
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Originally Posted by Jolt
Awsome Work!!! It would be Gr8 if EBII capitals could be moded to look like that. But what about Athens & Rome?
Re: Factional Capitals of the EB II time frame
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