NECROPOLEIS
There are three necropoleis (cemeteries) outside the settlement area of Tripolis in three different directions. The burial types differ according to the topography. On the slope located on the north of the city and on the skirts of the hill found on the northwest, the majority of tombs are those carved in the rock. The sarcophagi form the majority in the northeast. Whereas on the west and southeast of the city there are vaulted tombs dating to the Early Byzantine Period.
SOUTH NECROPOLIS
At a sand quarry outside the third-degree preservation area, about 600 m to the south of the ancient city a sarcophagus with spirally fluted columns was uncovered on 9 June 2015 (Fig. 1). Necropoleis to the east, north and west sides of the city have been noted in the course of excavations and surveys previously but this sarcophagus confirmed the existence of a necropolis to the south.
This sarcophagus, the first find from the south necropolis, is of grey/white veined marble with medium pores. It is decorated with figures in relief on one long and two short sides. One short side is decorated with the figures of Eros and Psyche whereas the other short side is adorned with the figures of Kharon and Ganymedes. The long side, on the other hand, features Hermes, Narkissos, Meleager, Herakles and Thanatos (Fig. 2). The other long side is left roughly worked without any decoration. The lid has the form of a pitched roof and Eros and Psyche are depicted reclining by the corner acroteria. Based on the decoration and small finds the sarcophagus is dated to the third century AD.
The Northeast Necropolis
The Northeast Necropolis
The Eastern Necropolis