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Abstract:
The site of Tainaron is located on the southernmost tip of the Mani peninsula; it is the southernmost point of mainland Greece and is surrounded by a vast stretch of Mediterranean Sea that seems to unfold endlessly. The perceived remoteness of Tainaron – coupled with its stark, barren landscape – lends itself well to its most famous role as a mythological entrance to Hades, the Greek Underworld. The site was also famous in antiquity for its sanctuary to Poseidon and as the location of a Hellenistic mercenary gathering place. Today Tainaron’s terrestrial inaccessibility persists: the site is difficult to access and rarely visited. Moreover, despite its fame and alluring reputation, its history remains largely misunderstood: Tainaron is assumed to have been under the control of Sparta, and its various functions are often examined in isolation rather than through a holistic approach. This talk illuminates the history and archaeology of Tainaron, and how the various roles of this fascinating place should be considered together, not separately. Finally, I conclude with a brief presentation about an exciting new archaeological initiative in the region, the Southern Mani Archaeological Project.