New research on the fortification of Tithorea. A preliminary report of fieldwork 2016–2017

Abstract In view of the discussions of 4^th century B.C. fortifications and urbanism in Phocis, the extremely well-preserved city wall of Tithorea deserves closer attention. Since 2016, a survey project conducted by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Phthiotida and Evrytania and the German Archaeological Institute Athens has been providing new evidence on the course of the city walls and urban development. In the general layout of the fortification as well as the architectural features, the main building phase of Tithorea’s circuit evidently mirrors the typical development of 4^th century B.C. Greek military architecture. However, while only inferring from architectural survey without excavations for the time being, it remains challenging to reliably date the monument more precisely within the culminating period of Phocian history in the decades around the so-called 3^rd Sacred War (356–346 B.C.). Now systematic research on the city wall’s building history has also revealed a sequence of several building phases which yet remain to be analysed in detail. Thus, the ongoing project will contribute towards a better understanding of this ancient Phocian city, while also opening new
prospects for further research.

Keywords Tithorea, Phocis, fortification, Sacred War, urbanism