Cultures > Dorian Hexapolis

Dorian Hexapolis

Background

The Dorian Hexapolis was a confederation of six cities (hexapolis means "six cities" in Greek) located in the region of Asia Minor and nearby islands. These cities were founded by the Dorians, one of the four major Greek tribes, during their migrations and colonization efforts in the early Archaic period (circa 1100-500 BCE). The Dorian Hexapolis played a significant role in the spread of Greek culture and political organization in the eastern Mediterranean.

Member Cities of the Dorian Hexapolis

The original six cities that formed the Dorian Hexapolis were:

Halicarnassus (modern Bodrum, Turkey):
- Located on the southwestern coast of Asia Minor.
- Known for the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- Birthplace of Herodotus, the "Father of History."
Knidos (modern Knidos, Turkey):
- Situated on the southwestern coast of Asia Minor, near the tip of the Datça Peninsula.
- Renowned for its advanced medical school and the statue of Aphrodite by the sculptor Praxiteles.
Kos (modern Kos, Greece):
- An island city located near the coast of Asia Minor.
- Famous for its Asklepieion, a healing temple dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine, and as the birthplace of Hippocrates, the "Father of Medicine."
Lindos (modern Lindos, Rhodes, Greece):
- Situated on the eastern coast of the island of Rhodes.
- Known for its acropolis, which features a temple dedicated to Athena Lindia.
Kamiros (modern Kamiros, Rhodes, Greece):
- Located on the northwest coast of Rhodes.
- An important agricultural center, known for its orderly city planning and water supply system.
Ialysos (modern Ialysos, Rhodes, Greece):
- Located on the northwest coast of Rhodes, near Kamiros.
- An early Dorian settlement with significant archaeological remains, including temples and fortifications.

Formation and Purpose

Formation:

The Dorian Hexapolis was established as a religious and cultural federation. Its primary purpose was to strengthen ties among the Dorian cities through shared religious practices and festivals.

Triopian Festival:

The focal point of the Dorian Hexapolis was the sanctuary of Apollo at Triopion, located near Knidos. The member cities gathered here to celebrate the Triopian Festival, which included athletic competitions, religious ceremonies, and cultural events.
Victorious athletes and distinguished participants at the festival were awarded bronze tripods, which were highly prized.

Decline and Transformation

Exclusion of Halicarnassus:

Over time, tensions and conflicts arose among the member cities. According to ancient sources, Halicarnassus was eventually expelled from the Hexapolis for violating the rules of the Triopian Festival. This incident significantly weakened the confederation.

Dorian Pentapolis:

After the exclusion of Halicarnassus, the remaining five cities continued to maintain their religious and cultural ties, forming what became known as the Dorian Pentapolis.

Hellenistic and Roman Periods:

During the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the significance of the Dorian Hexapolis diminished as the political landscape of the region changed. The member cities were absorbed into larger political entities, such as the Hellenistic kingdoms and later the Roman Empire.

Cultural and Historical Significance

Cultural Exchange:

The Dorian Hexapolis facilitated cultural exchange among its member cities and with the broader Greek world. This exchange contributed to the spread of Dorian culture, art, and religious practices.

Archaeological Legacy:

The archaeological remains of the Dorian Hexapolis, including temples, fortifications, and public buildings, provide valuable insights into the early development of Greek city-states and their religious and cultural practices.

Historical Influence:

The confederation exemplifies the Greek practice of forming alliances and leagues for mutual benefit, a practice that continued to evolve throughout Greek history. The Dorian Hexapolis served as a precursor to later, more extensive leagues such as the Delian League and the Peloponnesian League.

The Dorian Hexapolis, through its religious, cultural, and political activities, played a significant role in the early history of the Dorian Greeks and the wider Greek world. Its legacy continues to be studied and appreciated for its contributions to the development of Greek civilization.

Pliny (v. 28) says, Caria mediae Doridi circumfunditur ad mare utroque latere ambiens, by which he means that Doris is surrounded by Caria on all sides, except where it is bordered by the sea. He makes Doris begin at Cnidus. In the bay of Doris he places Leucopolis, Hamaxitus, etc. An attempt has been made among scholars to ascertain which of two bays Pliny calls Doridis Sinus, the more probable being the Ceramic Gulf. This Doris of Pliny is the country occupied by the Dorians, which Thucydides (ii. 9) indicates, not by the name of the country, but of the people: Dorians, neighbours of the Carians. Ptolemy (v. 2) makes Doris a division of his Asia, and places in it Halicarnassus, Ceramus, and Cnidus. The term Doris, applied to a part of Asia, does not appear to occur in other writers.

Sources

Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.