Ikarion in Attica: 1888-1981

T XHHE FIRST FEW YEARS of the existence of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens were filled with the excitement of constant discoveries, for the infant institution quickly began its venture into archaeology with all the enthusiasm of a new convert. Such was the atmosphere which led to the excavations at Ikarion, the legendary site of the first arrival of Dionysos in Attica and traditionally connected with the beginnings of Attic tragedy and comedy.' Prior to 1887 the location of the deme Ikarion was unknown, various savants having placed it at sites all over Attica at one time or another. In May of that year, however, the German scholar Arthur Milchh6fer, walking from Marathon to Kephissia, stumbled upon a ruined church in a valley on the north slope of Mount Pentelikon. The church had numerous ancient blocks built into its walls, including dedications to Dionysos, and this, together with the modern name of the area, Dionyso, led Milchh6fer to conclude that the remains represented the location of the deme Ikarion.2 Augustus Merriam, Director of the American School for 1887/1888, visited Berlin in July of 1887 while on his way to Athens to assume his post. There he was informed by Ernst Curtius of Milchh6fer's theory. Upon reaching Athens, Merriam lost no time in visiting the site, deciding to excavate there, and obtaining a permit.3 The excavations, which lasted with various interruptions from January 30 to March 19, 1888 and November 13, 1888 to January 14, 1889, were entrusted to Carl Darling Buck, a student at the School, who dug at the principal site and vigorously investigated the general area as well. Activity was centered around the Byzantine church, which was completely demolished. Its fabric contained numerous ancient worked blocks, inscriptions, and fragments of sculpture, and its apse had been built on an ancient semicircular monument. A few blocks from the Byzantine structure survive, and we illustrate one with decoration probably belonging to the 11th or 12th centuries after Christ (P1. 4:b).4