Corinth, at the north-eastern tip of Peloponnese, the home of Sisyphos and the great hero Bellerophon, was one of the oldest Greek city-states and among the most important ones.
Strategically positioned on the Isthmos, was controlling the communication of Peloponnese with the mainland Greece.  It was this position that made her the richest commercial city of ancient Greece.
Equated with the Homeric city Ephyra, Corinth was the innovator and master builder of commercial and war ships and developed great wealth from the ancient times, establishing a series of colonies, among them Syracuse.
Under Periander, who constructed the Diolkos, Corinth reached its greatest wealth and power.