The hidden town...

The town of Drama is the capital of a Greek prefecture of the same name. Its population amounts to almost 40,000 people. According to theories so far propounded, Drama owes its name either to its abundant waters or to the small size it had throughout its history (the name "Drama" is supposedly derived form the Greek word dragma < dratto, meaning "a handful of a town").

     The prehistoric "town" was in all probability situated where nowadays the neighbourhood of Arcadikos is. At this site, recent excavations brought to light an extensive settlement of the Middle Neolithic Period (c. 5.000 BC). Of course, the existence of this Neolithic settlement at Arcadikos does not necessarily mean that the site of the modern town (strictly speaking the area enclosed by the Byzantine Walls) was not also inhabited in the same period.

     The historical town, in view of the available archaeological evidence, can be traced back to the fourth century BC . Some scholars thought that the ancient settlement should be identified with the Thracian town of Dravescus, mentioned by Thucydides and, also, in the medieval TabulaPeutingeriana (reflecting a late Roman itinerary). Archaeological finds imply that, during antiquity, a significant shrine devoted to Dionysus existed in Drama, but its exact site is still unknown.

     An important monument of the Hellenistic era is the Macedonian tomb discovered at Troias 1 street, which testifies to the cultural and economic links ancient Drama had with not only the neighbouring, but also with distant regions.

     During the Roman times, Drama became a vicus of the Latin colony of Philippi, established after the famous battle of Philippi (42 BC). Thanks to its natural beauty, wealthy Roman officials from Philippi chose Drama as their recreational resort.

     Until recently we thought of the name "Drama" as first appearing in a travel-book written by the Arab geographer Al-Idrisi, who supposedly, passed through the town in the late Byzantine period (sometime before 1154). We know now that Al-Idisi's "Rachna" is not Drama but Zichna and that Drama is first mentioned (as "Darma") by the Spanish- Jewish Rabbi Benjamin of Tudela, who visited the town c. 1165. By this time, Drama had been already walled in and its population, within the walls, was no more than 2,000. Among them, a flourishing Jewish colony existed, which perfectly accounts for Benjamins visit.

     The polichnion (small fortified town) of Drama, though overshadowed by the brilliant history of the neighbouring urban centers of Serres and Philippi, enjoyed, nevertheless, a steady growth. It was walled in no later than the end of the tenth century, and, in the same period, the church of St. Sophia, a monument of great architectural interest, was erected.

     Of the Byzantine walls, only remains scattered throughout the historical center of the town survive (Miaoulis Street, church of the Great Taxiarchs, May 19 Street), giving us a fair idea of their dimensions and their masonry.

     The church of St. Sophia stands in the northern section of the area enclosed by the walls. It is a church of a transitional architectural type with a dome. According to written sources, the church was initially devoted to the Dormition of the Virgin. Today, besides its original Byzantine part, the monument also includes later additions of the Ottoman period (a pillared antechamber and a campanile - formerly a minaret). It is worth mentioning that in the church wall paintings - today totally covered-, which could date back to the middle Byzantine period, may have survived.

     The imperial family of the Comneni (Alexios, illegitimate son of Manuel I Comnenus - second half of the twelfth century) had links with medieval Drama in the late Byzantine period. This family owned landed property in the Drama area, as did other prominent officials of the Byzantine court. Such an official was the curopalates Alexios Maniakis (middle of the twelfth century).

     Drama was captured by the Franks c. 1206. However, their domination over the town did not last long. The Despot of Epirus Theodoros Dukas-Comnenus drove the Franks out of Drama, most probably between 1223 and 1224.

     From the remaining records written by Demetrius Chomatianos, archbishop of Ochrid, we find out that the commander of the Drama castle, sometime between 1224/5 and 1230, was an unscrupulous individual, named Georgios Kinnamos.

     We also know that in this period, Drama obtained unprecedented strategic importance, which is why for a short time it became the seat of an homonymous military administration (thema of Drama) and, maybe, of a bishopric as well.

     In the late Byzantine period , when civil strife plagued the ramshackle Empire, threatened already by various external enemies, Drama sided with Andronicus III Palaeologus (1328 onwards) and Ioannis Apocaucus (1341-42). Later, the town came under the sway of Stephan Dusan, Kral of the Serbs, and his toparch Caesar Voichnas (1344/5- 1371). We know the name of a Byzantine official who had served in Drama before the Serbian occupation. This official was the prokathemenos (castle commander) of Drama Leon Calognomus, who had also held the office of apographeus or census-taker (his floruit falls between the years 1317 and 1334(?)).