The Corinth Canal

Everyone has known for a long time that a canal across the Isthmus of Corinth would greatly aid shipping.  Periandros, ruler of Corinth, tried to build a canal across the isthmus by pick and shovel in about 600 BC, but the project was just too big for his resources.  That is when he built the overland haul road described below.  The second attempt was by the Macedonian King Demetrius Poliorkitis, in about 300 BC.  The canal was contemplated by Julius Ceasar, and again attempted by the Roman Emporer Nero, in 67 AD, but was not finished when Nero was killed shortly after its start.  The next attempt was in modern times, using the same techniques and steam equipment that had been developed for digging the Panama Canal.  A crew of Greek and French workmen finally finished the canal in 1881, using the same route selected by Nero.  Unfortunately, it was built too narrow for many large modern ships, but some 9000 smaller ships cross the Isthmus of Corinth through the canal each year.  The canal also provides something that Nero never contemplated, an awesome bungee jumping venue!!   

Comments

[Anthony Cicalese]

Searching for any records of the employees on the construction . My grsndfather Antonio Cicalese of Ravello Salerno had gone there
Anthony