The Carian-Ionian lewis and Kos’ relation with the 'Ionic Renaissance'

In a recent article, Paul Pedersen, on the basis of a particular type of lewis used for the architectural elements’ lifting, well attested in Ionia and Caria, as well as on the basis of other architectural features, confirmed the existence of a particular cultural koiné, defined as “Ionic Renaissance”. This lewis, described by Heron of Alessandria, has not been deeply analysed in scientific publications up to now, but, according to some scholars, it could have been created by workers operating in the Hecatomnid area. Among several sites, located outside Caria and Ionia, where this tool has been found, it is possible now to mention the city of Kos also, where several specimens have been noticed. Together with other architectural features, they could place Kos, between the end of the III and the first half of the II cent. BC, in the important cultural, architectural and artistic scenario known as the “Ionic Renaissance”.