Ancient Kamiros, Rhodes: A Guide to the Archaeological Site

The area around Kamiros is known to have been inhabited since prehistoric times and was mentioned alongside Lindos and ancient Ialyssos by Homer as being founded by the Dorians. However, despite its long habitation, the earliest evidence of significant city planning in the region dates back to the 8th century BC.

The city itself was developed over three levels. The Acropolis sat at the top of the hill and contained the Sanctuary of Athena, which underwent heavy development in the 6th century BC with the construction of the first Temple of Athena Kameiras.

The main settlement was found along the middle terrace and consisted of the city’s residential area organized in residential blocks and parallel streets as defined by the time period’s Hippodamian system. 

On the lower level at the bottom of the hill is where the city housed the ancient agora. Here is where the ancient inhabitants of Kamiros conducted much of their political, commercial, and social interests, with the site containing many of the most important buildings.

For much of its early history, Kamiros thrived as an independent state. However, towards the end of the 5th century BC, it, along with Lindos and Ialyssos, united into a single state, establishing the city of Rhodes as the new centre of power.

Despite the relocation of the island’s political and social centre, Kamiros continued to prosper for the following centuries but was destroyed by two major earthquakes, the first in 226 BC and the second following centuries later in 142 AD.

While the first earthquake was followed by large-scale reconstruction, the city was largely abandoned after being destroyed for the second time, only to be rediscovered during excavations in the 19th century.