The Vrina Plain suburb

The low-lying pastoral area of the Vrina plain, beyond the Vivari Channel, once formed a thriving suburb to Butrint. Extensive geophysical work along with on-going archaeological excavations has uncovered a series of public, private and religious buildings across the area.

The occupied area was bounded to the north by Lake Butrint and a navigable river channel to the west. The ‘urban’ centre was located to the west, while to the east the area was originally given over to a substantial necropolis, although by the beginning of the second century a number of private and commercial buildings seem to have encroached upon this area.

The dividing line between the two sectors may have been represented by the aqueduct, erected in the late first century BC, which appears to have been aligned to the main road that ran through the valley between Butrint and Çuka e Aitoit. This road has been located just to the west of the aqueduct.

Close to the road the remains of a temple on a raised podium can be seen. The cella chamber with its wide doors and steep set of steps give access directly onto the road. Equally as visually imposing would have been the free-standing column monument situated near the road at the water’s edge. Visible for anyone arriving by land or sea, the monument must have provided a focal point for Butrint and its hinterland.

The early topography of the suburb seems to have consisted of rather modest sized dwellings intended for the new settlers of the colony created by Julius Caesar in 44 BC and re-established by Augustus after his victory at Actium in 31 BC.

In time these structures gradually vanished as individuals bought up the plots and converted the buildings into larger complexes, which culminated sometime in the late first century AD, when the entire western area appears to have become one or more large and rather luxurious villa complexes centred around large courtyards.

Excavations in the northern of the two courtyards has exposed a large ornamental double-walled fountain, along with a number of rooms off the courtyard including a very large apsidal reception hall that would have given guests spectacular views across the channel to Butrint. This part of the villa was entered via a doorway, which originally had a monumental tile façade, with stone benches placed either side for the attendants and slaves of visiting clients to sit on.

In late Antiquity the area appears to have been partially abandoned, the surviving structures later forming the basis for an ecclesiastic complex in the 6th century AD.

 

• The expansion of Butrint
• Reconstruction of the Roman city
• The Vrina Plain suburb
• The aqueduct
• The Roman villa at Diaporit
• QTVR The Roman Villa at Diaporit

A relief to the victory goddess
Undoubtedly the finest find from the Vrina Plain, the relief was found by fishermen in 1930.
It depicts a winged Nike or Victoria, the goddess of victory, standing in front of a trophy of armour.
The outline of wings of a second figure can be seen in front of her, suggesting a processional composition.
Its classicising, neo-Attic style was particularly popular in the Augustan period and could be a subtle reference to the emperor’s victory at Actium south of Butrint.
Measuring c. 0.8 x 0.5 m, the relief probably decorated a public monument though it could possibly come from one of the villas identified on the Vrina Plain.