Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.21464/fi37202

Pharos and the Pythagorean Principles of Urban Planning

Jasna Jeličić Radonić ; Sveučilište u Splitu, Filozofski fakultet, Sinjska 2, HR–10000 Split

Abstract

Pharos, one of the oldest cities on the eastern coast of the Adriatic, was founded by Parians in 385/4 BC on the site of Stari Grad on the island of Hvar. In spite of the considerable resistance of the Illyrian indigenous people while the city was being founded, the Greek colony was nevertheless established, with the support and assistance of Dionysius of Syracuse. Since the Parians were inclined to Pythagorean philosophy, and since the contact was probably made with Dionysius the Elder via the Pythagoreans, it is essential to look at the planning of the urban space of Pharos in this light. It is known that Hippodamus was Pythagorean and that he introduced Pythagorean number theory into the town planning. This can be seen primarily from an analysis of the plans of the cities organised according to the Pythagorean–Hippodamian principles (Miletus, Piraeus). The characteristically Pythagorean system of town planning, well¬-adjusted to the tetractys diagram, can be recognised in a rather well explored archaeological sites (Priene). Recent archaeological research in Pharos discovered how urban structure is articulated. The application of numerical principles can be observed in how Pharian residential blocks were conceptualized, revealed in the south¬east part of the city. The city, organised according to Pythagorean numerical, became important for accomplishing harmonious system. By construing the urban texture on the basis of the rectangular plots and insula, the harmony based on the principle of proportion and numbers – typical of Greek urban planning and design – was achieved in Pharos

Keywords

Pharos; Dionysius of Syracuse; Pythagoreans; Pythagorean numerical postulates; tetractys; planning of the urban space of Pharos

Hrčak ID:

187997

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/187997

Publication date:

23.8.2017.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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