The Tomb of Menecrates is a sixth-century monument in the form of a cenotaph located in Corfu Town.
The tomb and its funerary sculpture of a lion were discovered during demolition works of a Venetian fortress on Garitsa Hill by the British army in 1843. The tomb was built around 570-540 BC, the era of the ancient city of Korkyra. According to its inscription, the monument was dedicated to Menecrates, who was an ambassador of ancient Korkyra to Oiantheia (now Galaxidi). He lost his life at sea, probably during a sea battle. It is also mentioned in the inscription that his brother Praximenes helped to build the monument.
The Tomb of Menecratis is made of limestone in a cylindrical shape with five cylindrical rings and a conical roof. The monument has a height of 1.4 meters and a diameter of 4.9 meters. The sculpture of the lion that was found on the site dates back to the end of the 7th century and is one of the oldest funerary lions ever found. There is also speculation that it belongs to the tomb of Arniadas rather than Menecrates. The sculpture is being preserved and exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Corfu.
