Research Article

THE REMOVABLE WOODEN FLOORINGS (IKRIA) IN BOSPORAN MILITARY ARCHITECTURE: THE CASE OF LABRYS AND MYRMEKION TOWERS

Volume: 11 Number: Prof. Dr. Gocha R. TSETSKHLADZE Anısına Akademik Yazılar / Studies in Memory of Prof. Dr. Gocha R. TSETSKHLADZE August 27, 2026
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THE REMOVABLE WOODEN FLOORINGS (IKRIA) IN BOSPORAN MILITARY ARCHITECTURE: THE CASE OF LABRYS AND MYRMEKION TOWERS

Abstract

The fortress walls of ancient Labrys (the Semibratneye settlement) near modern-day Anapa have become the most striking example of urban fortifications in the Northern Black Sea region during the Classical and Early Hellenistic periods. However, these defensive structures possess several unique features that prevent close parallels from being found and convincingly integrated into the evolutionary sequence of both Bosporan and Mediterranean Greek fortifications of the 5th-3rd centuries BC. These features include the distinctive tower design, which included removable walkways (ἴκρια) at the level of the battle gallery, extremely short curtain walls between them, and the presence of stone staircases attached to each open curtain wall. The closest analogies to the Labrys towers are found in another Bosporan city, Myrmekion (modern-day Kerch). Their obvious similarities suggest that the engineers of these fortifications belonged to the same school or tradition of construction. The dating of the Labrys and Myrmekion fortifications has long been the subject of debate. The dimensions of the Labrys and Myrmekion towers are similar to Greek towers of the late 5th to early 4th centuries BC, although similar towers are also found in later fortifications. Based on currently available data, the construction of the first walls at Labrys should be dated to the last quarter to the end of the 5th century BC. The Myrmekion city wall cannot be more than a few decades younger.

Keywords

References

  1. Vahoneev, V. V. (2021). Oboronitel'nye sooruzheniya bosporskogo goroda Akra, Bosporskie issledovaniya, 42, 42-64.
  2. Winter, F. E. (1971). Greek fortifications, Toronto: University of Toronto press.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Greek and Roman Period Archeology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Publication Date

August 27, 2026

Submission Date

May 20, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 22, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: Prof. Dr. Gocha R. TSETSKHLADZE Anısına Akademik Yazılar / Studies in Memory of Prof. Dr. Gocha R. TSETSKHLADZE

APA
Chistov, D. (2026). THE REMOVABLE WOODEN FLOORINGS (IKRIA) IN BOSPORAN MILITARY ARCHITECTURE: THE CASE OF LABRYS AND MYRMEKION TOWERS. Amisos, 11(Prof. Dr. Gocha R. TSETSKHLADZE Anısına Akademik Yazılar / Studies in Memory of Prof. Dr. Gocha R. TSETSKHLADZE), 11-27. https://doi.org/10.48122/amisos.1955434
AMA
1.Chistov D. THE REMOVABLE WOODEN FLOORINGS (IKRIA) IN BOSPORAN MILITARY ARCHITECTURE: THE CASE OF LABRYS AND MYRMEKION TOWERS. Amisos. 2026;11(Prof. Dr. Gocha R. TSETSKHLADZE Anısına Akademik Yazılar / Studies in Memory of Prof. Dr. Gocha R. TSETSKHLADZE):11-27. doi:10.48122/amisos.1955434
Chicago
Chistov, Dmitry. 2026. “THE REMOVABLE WOODEN FLOORINGS (IKRIA) IN BOSPORAN MILITARY ARCHITECTURE: THE CASE OF LABRYS AND MYRMEKION TOWERS”. Amisos 11 (Prof. Dr. Gocha R. TSETSKHLADZE Anısına Akademik Yazılar / Studies in Memory of Prof. Dr. Gocha R. TSETSKHLADZE): 11-27. https://doi.org/10.48122/amisos.1955434.
EndNote
Chistov D (August 1, 2026) THE REMOVABLE WOODEN FLOORINGS (IKRIA) IN BOSPORAN MILITARY ARCHITECTURE: THE CASE OF LABRYS AND MYRMEKION TOWERS. Amisos 11 Prof. Dr. Gocha R. TSETSKHLADZE Anısına Akademik Yazılar / Studies in Memory of Prof. Dr. Gocha R. TSETSKHLADZE 11–27.
IEEE
[1]D. Chistov, “THE REMOVABLE WOODEN FLOORINGS (IKRIA) IN BOSPORAN MILITARY ARCHITECTURE: THE CASE OF LABRYS AND MYRMEKION TOWERS”, Amisos, vol. 11, no. Prof. Dr. Gocha R. TSETSKHLADZE Anısına Akademik Yazılar / Studies in Memory of Prof. Dr. Gocha R. TSETSKHLADZE, pp. 11–27, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.48122/amisos.1955434.
ISNAD
Chistov, Dmitry. “THE REMOVABLE WOODEN FLOORINGS (IKRIA) IN BOSPORAN MILITARY ARCHITECTURE: THE CASE OF LABRYS AND MYRMEKION TOWERS”. Amisos 11/Prof. Dr. Gocha R. TSETSKHLADZE Anısına Akademik Yazılar / Studies in Memory of Prof. Dr. Gocha R. TSETSKHLADZE (August 1, 2026): 11-27. https://doi.org/10.48122/amisos.1955434.
JAMA
1.Chistov D. THE REMOVABLE WOODEN FLOORINGS (IKRIA) IN BOSPORAN MILITARY ARCHITECTURE: THE CASE OF LABRYS AND MYRMEKION TOWERS. Amisos. 2026;11:11–27.
MLA
Chistov, Dmitry. “THE REMOVABLE WOODEN FLOORINGS (IKRIA) IN BOSPORAN MILITARY ARCHITECTURE: THE CASE OF LABRYS AND MYRMEKION TOWERS”. Amisos, vol. 11, no. Prof. Dr. Gocha R. TSETSKHLADZE Anısına Akademik Yazılar / Studies in Memory of Prof. Dr. Gocha R. TSETSKHLADZE, Aug. 2026, pp. 11-27, doi:10.48122/amisos.1955434.
Vancouver
1.Dmitry Chistov. THE REMOVABLE WOODEN FLOORINGS (IKRIA) IN BOSPORAN MILITARY ARCHITECTURE: THE CASE OF LABRYS AND MYRMEKION TOWERS. Amisos. 2026 Aug. 1;11(Prof. Dr. Gocha R. TSETSKHLADZE Anısına Akademik Yazılar / Studies in Memory of Prof. Dr. Gocha R. TSETSKHLADZE):11-27. doi:10.48122/amisos.1955434

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