Rifornimento e conservazione dell'acqua nelle città ellenistiche tra Illiria meridionale ed Epiro: uno sguardo d'insieme

The study of the structures and systems of water supply in Illyrian and Epirotes cities during the Hellenistic period is a topic not yet systematically analyzed. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to draw an overall picture of the main buildings intended for the supply and the conservation of the water in this vast territory, in order to outline the principles followed in ancient times in the construction and location of water works of public value, like cisterns and fountains, which often assume monumental characteristics of exceptional urban importance. Particular attention will be paid to the large fountain of Apollonia and to the cisterns of Byllis and Orraon, three buildings characterized by specific urban positions and peculiar shapes that highlight in different ways the control exercised by the polis in the management of water resources and the variety of architectural solutions used in the Illyric-Epirote area for water collection and distribution