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 By Josh Pederson '07
I never thought a road could evoke so much thought and imagination, but this road did just that.
The Lechaion road was the main road into the city of Corinth during both Greek and Roman times. It was the road from the port town of Lechaion and it connected Corinth with the gulf.
Roads show paths of travelers. Roads show suffering, triumph, defeat, proclamation, destinations, beginnings, endings, homecomings and journeys. This particular road, especially at this point, was a welcome sight to the citizens of Corinth. Warriors coming back from battle would enter the city right here.
Traders, sailors and navy personnel would trek from Lechaion back home to Corinth after a journey at sea. This road probably has more stories to tell than many other structures at the site. If stones could talk, this road could retell accounts from the lives of many people. For example, soldiers talking about the recent victory or defeat, pilgrims talking about the rest they would soon experience in Corinth and the joyous sounds of reuniting families.
What would our knowledge of the past look like if stones could talk? As I pondered this thought, I remembered reading about the Apostle Paul in the book of Acts. I imagined walking into Corinth beside Paul as he prepared for the boisterous and eclectic climate of Corinth.
The stones of the road are smooth, flat and hot from the scorching heat. Today they are cracked and eroded. The hustle and bustle of the marketplace is a stark contrast to the empty void that remains today. Paul and I climb the steps you see at the far end of the image and he is off to the synagogue to talk to those who are willing to listen. I turn around to see the Lechaion road packed with traffic.
Corinth must have been an amazing city. Today, the road shows the wear and tear of a place of great importance in the Greek and Roman worlds. The road shows a place of journey and I can say that I took the same journey into Corinth, just as the ancients did.
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