Listed 100 (total found 125) sub titles with search on: Information about the place for wider area of: "ATTICA, EAST Prefectural seat ATTIKI" .
ATTICA, EAST (Prefectural seat) ATTIKI
FLEVES (Small island) VOULIAGMENI
ANGELI (Ancient demos) MARKOPOULO MESSOGEAS
The ancient deme was located between modern Markopoulo and Porto-Rafti, at the place called "Angelisi", where the church of the Holy Trinity (Agia Triada) is.
FYGOUS (Ancient demos) MARATHONAS
The ancient deme was located near Marathon. It belonged to Erecthiis tribe.
KOPROS (Ancient demos) LAVREOTIKI
Gaidouronissi is believed by some researchers to be the seat of the ancient deme of Coprus.
KYDANTIDES (Ancient demos) MARKOPOULO MESSOGEAS
Small deme of Attica, its position in Mesogeia. In ancient times along with the deme Filaidae it probably consisted the city of Vravron.
LAMBTRES HYPENERTHEN (Ancient demos) KROPIA
It was one of the biggest demes of Attica, geographically divided in two areas (Lamptrae cathypermen in the inner land "mesogeia" and hypenerthen, the coastal part). The former it was situated near to the modern desolate village Lambrika, south of Coropi along the stream of "Lycouriza's river", where ancient tombs and inscriptions were found.
MYRINOUS (Ancient demos) MARKOPOULO MESSOGEAS
Modern Merenda, is the place where the ancient deme of Myrrhinous was once positioned, a place rich in archaelogical findings.
PAMBOTADES (Ancient demos) ACHARNES
Probably on mountain Parnitha (Pamphi area).
POTAMOS DEIRADIOTOU (Ancient demos) KERATEA
Paysanias calls it Potamous. In all probability its location is identified with the area around Daskalio bay 8,5 miles north to the coast of Lavrio.
POTAMOS HYPENERTHEN (Ancient demos) LAVREOTIKI
The name Potamos is applied to three demes on the southeast side of Attica, between Thorikos to the North and Prassiae to the South: 1) Potamos Hypenerthen 2) Potamos Kathyperthen 3) Potamos Deiradiotou or Deirades
POTAMOS KATHYPERTHEN (Ancient demos) LAVREOTIKI
The name Potamos is applied to three demes on the southeast side of Attica, between Thorikos to the North and Prassiae to the South: 1) Potamos Hypenerthen 2) Potamos Kathyperthen 3) Potamos Deiradiotou or Deirades.
SIMACHIDES (Ancient demos) VARNAVAS
Ancient deme of Attica in the region Epakria or Diakria, identified with the modern villages Varnava and Kalentzi.
ACHARNAI (Ancient demos) ACHARNES
Acharnae, Acharnai: Eth. Acharneus, Acharnanus, Adj. Acharnikos. The principal
demus of Attica, belonging to the tribe Oeneis, was situated 60 stadia N. of Athens,
and consequently not far from the foot of Mt. Parnes. It was from the woods of
this mountain that the Acharnians were enabled to carry on that traffic in charcoal
for which they were noted among the Athenians. (Aristoph. Acharn. 332.) Their
land was fertile ; their population was rough and warlike; and they furnished
at the commencement of the Peloponnesian war 3000 hoplites, or a tenth of the
whole infantry of the republic. They possessed sanctuaries or altars of Apollo
Aguieus, of Heracles, of Athena Hygieia, of Athena Hippia, of Dionysus Melpomenus,
and of Dionysus Cissus, so called, because the Acharnians said that the ivy first
grew in this demus. One of the plays of Aristophanes bears the name of the Acharnians.
Leake supposes that branch of the plain of Athens, which is included between the
foot of the hills of Khassia and a projection of the range of Aegaleos, stretching
eastward from the northern termination of that mountain, to have been the district
of the demus Acharnae. The exact situation of the town has not yet been discovered.
Some Hellenic remains, situated 3/4 of a mile to the westward of Menidhi, have
generally been taken for those of Archarnae; but Menidhi is more probably a corruption
of Paionidai.
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited June 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
AFIDNES (Ancient demos) AFIDNES
Aphidna, Aphidnai: Eth. Aphidnaios. Οne of the twelve ancient towns
of Attica (Strab. ix. p. 397), is celebrated in the mythical period as the place
where Theseus deposited Helen, entrusting her to the care of his friend Aphidnus.
When the Dioscuri invaded Attica in search of their sister, the inhabitants of
Deceleia informed the Lacedaemonians where Helen was concealed, and showed them
the way to Aphidna. The Dioscuri thereupon took the town, and carried off their
sister. (Herod. ix. 73; Died. iv. 63; Plut. Thes. 32; Paus. i. 17. § 5, 41. §
3.) We learn, from a decree quoted by Demosthenes (de Coron. p. 238), that Aphidna
was, in his time, a fortified town, and at a greater distance than 120 stadia
from Athens. As an Attic demus, it belonged in succession to the tribes Aeantis
(Plut. Quaest. Symp. i. 10; Harpocrat. s. v. Thurgonidai), Leontis (Steph. B.;
Harpocrat. l. c.), Ptolemais (Hesych.), and Hadrianis (Bockh, Corp. Inscr. 275).
Leake, following Finlay, places Aphidna between Deceleia and Rhamnus,
in the upper valley of the river Marathon, and supposes it to have stood on a
strong and conspicuous height named Kotroni, upon which are considerable remains
indicating the site of a fortified demus. Its distance from Athens is about 16
miles, half as much from Marathon, and something less from Deceleia.
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited May 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
ALE ARAFINIDES (Ancient demos) ARTEMIS
Halae Araphenides (Halai Araphenides), so called to distinguish it from Halae Aexonides [No. 39], lay on the east coast between Brauron and Araphen, and was the proper harbour of Brauron, from whence persons crossed over to Marmarium in Euboea, where were the marble quarries of Carystus. (Strab. ix. p. 399, x. p. 446.) Hence Halae is described by Euripides (Iphig. in Taur. 1451) as geiton deirados Karustias. The statue of the Taurian Artemis was preserved at this place.
AMFITROPE (Ancient demos) LAVREOTIKI
Amphitrope, north of Besa and in the district of the mines, placed by Stuart at Metropisti. (Bockh, Inscr. No. 162; Steph.; Hesych.)
ANAGYRUS (Ancient demos) VARI
Anagyrus (Anagurous, -ountos: Eth. Anagurasios), a demus of Attica,
belonging to the tribe Erechtheis, situated S. of Attica near the promontory Zoster.
Pausanias mentions at this place a temple of the mother of the gods. The ruins
of Anagyrus have been found near Vari. (Strab. p. 398; Paus. i. 31. § 1; Harpocrat.,
Suid., Steph. B.; Leake, Demi of Attica, p. 56.)
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited July 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
AZINIA (Ancient demos) ATTIKI
Azenia, the only demus mentioned by Strabo (l. c.) between Anaphlystus and Sunium. (Harpocr.; Hesych.; Steph.; Bekker, Anecd. i. p. 348.) It was probably situated in the bay of which Sunium forms the eastern cape. Opposite this bay is a small island, now called Gaidharonisi, formerly the Island or Rampart of Patroclus (Patroklou charax or nesos), because a fortress was built upon it by Patroclus, who commanded on one occasion the ships of Ptolemy Philadelphus. (Strab. l. c.; Paus. i. 1. § 1; Steph. s. v. Patroklou nesos.) Ten miles to the south of this island, at the entrance of the Saronic gulf, is Belbina, now St. George, which was reckoned to belong to Peloponnesus, though it was nearer the coast of Attica.
This extract is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited August 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
CHOLIDES (Ancient demos) ATTIKI
Cholleidae (Cholleidai, Chollidai, Harpocr.; Suid.; Steph.; Schol. ad Aristoph. Acharn. 404), is supposed to have been near the Nymphaeum, or Grotto of the Nymphs, situated at the southern end of Mt. Hymettus, and about three miles from Vari by the road. From the inscriptions in this cave, we learn that it was dedicated to the nymphs and the other rustic deities by Archedemus of Pherae (not Therae, as is stated by some modern writers), who had been enrolled in the demus of Cholleidae. Hence it is inferred that the grotto was, in all probability, situated in this demus. A full and interesting description of the grotto is given by Wordsworth (p. 192, seq.; comp. Leake, p. 57.).
This extract is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited August 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
DEKELIA (Ancient demos) ACHARNES
Deceleia (Dekeleia) was situated near the entrance of the eastern pass across Mount Parnes,which leads from the north-eastern part of the Athenian plain to Oropus, and from thence both to Tanagra on the one hand, and to Delium and Chalcis on the other. It was originally one of the twelve cities of Attica. (Strab. ix. p. 397.) It was situated about 120 stadia from Athens, and the same distance from the frontiers of Boeotia: it was visible from Athens, and from its heights also might be seen the ships entering the harbour of Peiraeeus. (Thuc. vii. 19; Xen. Hell. i. 1. 25) It was by the pass of Deceleia that Mardonius retreated from Athens into Boeotia before the battle of Plataeae (Herod. ix. 15); and it was by the same road that the grain was carried from Euboea through Oropus into Attica. (Thuc. vii. 28.) In B.C. 413 Deceleia was occupied and fortified by the Lacedaemonians under Agis, who kept possession of the place till the end of the war; and from the command which they thus obtained of the Athenian plain, they prevented them from cultivating the neighbouring land, and compelled them to bring the corn from Euboea round Cape Sunium. (Thuc. ii. 27, 28.) The pass of Deceleia is now called the pass of Tatoy. Near the village of this name there is a peaked height, which is a conspicuous object from the Acropolis: the exact site of the demus is probably marked by a fountain, near which are many remains of antiquity. (Leake.)
This extract is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited August 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
DELFINION (Ancient port) ATTIKI
The position of Oropus is thus defined by Strabo. The beginning [of Boeotia] is Oropus, and the sacred harbour, which they call Delphinium, opposite to which is old Eretria in Euboea, distant 60 stadia. After Delphinium is Oropus at the distance of 20 stadia, opposite to which is the present Eretria, distant 40 stadia. Then comes Delium. (Strab. ix.) The modern village of Oropo stands at the distance of nearly two miles from the sea, on the right bank of the Vourieni, anciently the Asopus: it contains some fragments of ancient buildings and sepulchral stones. There are also Hellenic remains at the Skala or wharf upon the bay, from which persons usually embark for Euboea: this place is also called es tous hagious atostolous, from a ruined church dedicated to the Holy Apostles. Leake originally placed Oropus at Oropo and Delphinium at Skala; but in the second edition of his Demi he leaves the position of Oropus doubtful. It seems, however, most probable that Oropus originally stood upon the coast, and was removed inland only for a short time. In the Peloponnesian War Thucydides speaks of sailing to and anchoring at Oropus (iii. 91, viii. 95); and Pausanias, as we have already seen, expressly states that Oropus was upon the coast. Hence there can be little doubt that Skala is the site of Oropus, and that Oropo is the inland site which the Oropians occupied only for a time. It is true that the distance of Oropo from the sea is more than double the 7 stadia assigned by Diodorus, but it is possible that he may have originally written 17 stadia. If Oropus stood at Skala, Delphinium must have been more to the eastward nearer the confines of Attica.
Delphinium (Delphinion), the port-town of Oropus.
EGILOS (Ancient demos) ANAVYSSOS
Aegilia (Aigilhia) or Aegilus (he Haigtlos, Theocr. i. 147: Eth. Aigilieus), a
demus in Attica belonging to the tribe Antiochis, situated on the western coast
between Lamptra and Sphettus. It was celebrated for its figs. (Aigilhides isChhades,
Athe. ; Theocr.) It is placed by Leake at Tzurela, the site of a ruined village
on the shore, at the foot of Mt. Elymbo. (Strab., Harpocrat., Steph. B. s. v.;
Leake, Demi)
EKALI (Ancient demos) GRAMMATIKO
Hecale (Hekale), probably near Marathon, since this demus is said to have obtained its name from a woman who hospitably received Theseus into her house, when he had set out to attack the Marathonian bull, which was ravaging the Tetrapolis. It contained a sanctuary of Zeus Hecaleius. (Philochor. ap. Plut. Thes. 14; Suid. s. vv. Hekale, Kolias, Epaulia; Steph. s. vv. Hekale, Hiapis, Trinemeis; Schol. ad Aristoph. Acharn. 127.)
FILAIDES (Ancient demos) MARKOPOULO MESSOGEAS
Philaidae (Philaidai) appears to have been near Brauron, since it is said to have derived its name from Philaeus, the son of the Telamonian Ajax, who dwelt in Brauron. Philaidae was the demus of Peisistratus. (Plut. Sol. 10; Plat. Hipparch. p. 228; Paus. i. 35. § 2; Herod. vi. 35.)
FYGOUS (Ancient demos) MARATHONAS
Phegaea (Phegaia), the name of two demi of uncertain site. (Steph.; Harpocr.; Suid.; Etym. M.; Phot.; Hesych.) It is probable, however, that Stephanus speaks of one of these demi, under the name of PHEGEUS, when he describes Halae Araphenides as lying between Phegeus near Marathon and Brauron. (Steph. s. v. Halai.)
GAIDOURONISSI (Island) LAVREOTIKI
Patroklou Nesos, a small island off the southern coast of Attica, west of the promontory Sunium, so called from Patroclus, one of the generals of Ptolemy Philadelphus, who was sent by this king to assist the Athenians against the Macedonians, and who built a fortress in the island. It is now called Gaidharonisi.
IKARIA (Ancient demos) DIONYSSOS
...The wine of Attica was pleasant to the taste, though not of a superior kind.
The most celebrated was grown at Icaria, where Dionysus is said to have been welcomed...
...Icaria (Ikaria), the demus, in which Icarius received Dionysus, who taught
him the art of making wine. (For the legend, see Dict. of Biogr. and Myth., art.
Icarius.) The position of this demus and of Mount Icarius (Plin. iv. 7. s. 11)
has been variously fixed by modern scholars. Leake has identified Icarius with
Mount Argaliki, on the south side of the Marathonian plain, since Icarius is said
by Statius (Theb. xi. 644) to have been slain in the Marathonian forest. But,
as Ross has observed, Marathonian is here used only in the sense of Attican; and
the argument derived from this passage of Statius is entirely overthrown by another
passage of the same poet, in which the abodes of Icarius and of Celeus (i. e.
Icaria and Eleusis) and Melaenae are mentioned together as three adjacent places.
( Icarii Celeique domus viridesque Melaenae, Stat. Theb. xii. 619.) Ross, with
greater probability, places Icaria in the west of Attica, because all the legends
respecting the introduction of the worship of Dionysus into Attica represent it
as coming from Thebes by way of Eleutherae, and because the Parian chronicle represents
men from Icaria as instituting the first chorus at Athens, while the invention
of comedy is assigned to the Megarian Susarion. From the latter circumstance,
Ross conjectures that Icaria was near the frontiers of Megara; and he supposes
that the range of mountains, [p. 329] separating the. Megarian and Eleusinian
plains, and terminating in the promontory of the Kerata or the Horns, to which
no ancient name has been hitherto assigned, was Mount Icarius. (Ross, p. 73.)
This extracts is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited August 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
INOI (Ancient city) MARATHONAS
Marathon, Probalinthus (Probalinthos), Tricorythus (Trikoruthos), and Oenoe (Oinoe), four demi situated in the small plain open to the sea between Mt. Parnes and Mt. Pentelicus, originally formed the Tetrapolis, one of the twelve ancient divisions of Attica. The whole district was generally known under the name of Marathon
KYTHIROS (Ancient demos) ATTIKI
Cytherus (Kutherrhos, Inscr.; Kutheros, Kutheron, Strab. ix. p. 397; Harpoc.; Suid.; Steph.; Phot.), one of the twelve ancient cities, and afterwards a demus. Its position is quite uncertain. Leake conjectures that its territory as one of the twelve cities may have occupied the southern end of the inland country, on the supposition that the territory of Sphettus occupied the northern half of this district. Ross however conjectures, from a passage of Pausanias (vi. 22. § 7), that Cytherus may have been near Gargettus. Pausanias states that the nymphs of the river Cytherus in Elis were called Ionides from Ion, the son of Gargettus, when he migrated from Athens to Elis.
This extract is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited August 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
LAMBTRES HYPENERTHEN (Ancient demos) KROPIA
Lamptra (Aamptra, in inscr.; Aampra, in Strab. &c.), the name of two demi, Upper Lamptra (Aamptra kathuperthen), and Lower or Maritime Lamptra (Aamptra hupenerthen or paralios). These places were between Anagyrus, Thorae, and Aegilia. (Strab. l. c.) Upper Lamptra was probably situated at Lamorika, a village between three and four miles from the sea, at the south-eastern extremity of Mt. Hymettus; and Lower Lamptra on the coast. At Lamptra the grave of Cranaus was shown. (Paus. i. 31. § 2; Steph.; Hesych.; Harpocr.; Suid.; Phot.)
LAMPTRAI KATHYPERTHEN (Ancient demos) VARI
Lamptra (Aamptra, in inscr.; Aampra, in Strab. &c.), the name of two demi, Upper Lamptra (Aamptra kathuperthen), and Lower or Maritime Lamptra (Aamptra hupenerthen or paralios). These places were between Anagyrus, Thorae, and Aegilia. (Strab. l. c.) Upper Lamptra was probably situated at Lamorika, a village between three and four miles from the sea, at the south-eastern extremity of Mt. Hymettus; and Lower Lamptra on the coast. At Lamptra the grave of Cranaus was shown. (Paus. i. 31. § 2; Steph.; Hesych.; Harpocr.; Suid.; Phot.)
LAVRION (Ancient city) ATTIKI
Laurium, Laureion, Laurion, Adj. Lauriotikos (hence hai glaukes Lauriotikai,
Aristoph. Av. 1106, silver coins, with the Athenian figure of an owl). A range
of hills in the south of Attica, celebrated for their silver mines. These hills
are not high, and are covered for the most part with trees and brushwood. The
name is probably derived from the shafts which were sunk for obtaining the ore,
since Laura in Greek signifies a street or lane, and laureion would therefore
mean a place formed of such lanes,--i. e., a mine of shafts, cut as it were into
streets, like a catacomb. The mining district extended a little way north of Sunium
to Thoricus, on the eastern coast. Its present condition is thus described by
Mr. Dodwell : - One hour from Thorikos brought us to one of the ancient shafts
of the silver mines; and a few hundred yards further we came to several others,
which are of a square form, and cut in the rock. We observed only one round shaft,
which was larger than the others, and of considerable depth, as we conjectured,
from the time that the stones, which were thrown in, took to reach the bottom.
Near this are the foundations of a large round tower, and several remains of ancient
walls, of regular construction. The traces are so extensive, that they seem to
indicate, not only the buildings attached to the mines, but the town of Laurium
itself, which was probably strongly fortified, and inhabited principally by the
people belonging to the mines. Some modern writers doubt whether there was a town
of the name of Laurium; but the grammarians (Suidas and Photius) who call Laurium
a place (topos) in Attica appear to have meant something more than a mountain;
and Dodwell is probably correct in regarding the ruins which he describes as those
of the town of Laurium. Near these ruins Dodwell observed several large heaps
of scoria scattered about, Dr. Wordsworth, in passing along the shore from Sunium
to Thoricus, observes:--The ground which we tread is strewed with rusty heaps
of scoria from the silver ore which once enriched the soil. On our left is a hill,
called Score, so named from these heaps of scoria, with which it is covered. Here
the shafts which have been sunk for working the ore are visible. The ores of this
district have been ascertained to contain lead as well as silver. This confirms
the emendations of a passage in the Aristotelian Oeconomies proposed by Bockh
and Wordsworth, where, instead of Turion in Puthokles Athenaios Athenaiois sunebouleuse
ton molnbdon ton ek ton Turion paralambanein, Bockh suggests gests Laurion, and
Wordsworth argurion, which ought rather to be agureion, as Mr. Lewis observes.
The name of Laurium is preserved in the corrupt form of Legrana or
Alegrana, which is the name of a metokhi of the monastery of Mendeli.
The mines of Laurium, according to Xenophon (de Vectig. iv. 2), were
worked in remote antiquity; and there can be no doubt that the possession of a
large supply of silver was one of the main causes of the early prosperity of Athens.
They are alluded to by Aeschylus (Pers. 235) in the line-- argurou pege tis autois
eoti, thesanros chthonos.
They were the property of the state, which sold or let for a long
term of years, to individuals or companies, particular districts, partly in consideration
of a sum or fine paid down, partly of a reserved rent equal to one twenty-fourth
of the gross produce. Shortly before the Persian wars there was a large sum in
the Athenian treasury, arising out of the Laurian mines, from which a distribution
of ten drachmae a head was going to be made among the Athenian citizens, when
Themistocles persuaded them to apply the money to the increase of their fleet.
(Herod. vii. 144; Plut. Them. 4.) Bockh supposes that the distribution of ten
drachmae a head, which Themistocles persuaded the Athenians to forego, was made
annually, from which he proceeds to calculate the total produce of the mines.
But it has been justly observed by Mr. Grote, that we are not authorised to conclude
from the passage in Herodotus that all the money received from the mines was about
to be distributed ; nor moreover is there any proof that there was a regular annual
distribution. In addition to which the large sum lying in the treasury was probably
derived from the original purchase money paid down, and not from the reserved
annual rent.
Even in the time of Xenophon (Mem. iii. 6. § 12) the mines yielded
much less than at an early period; and in the age of Philip, there were loud complaints
of unsuccessful speculations in mining. In the first century of the Christian
era the mines were exhausted, and the old scoriae were smelted a second time.
(Strab. ix.) In the following century Laurium is mentioned by Pausanias (i. 1),
who adds that it had once been the seat of the Athenian silver mines.
This text is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited June 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
MARATHON (Ancient demos) ATTICA, EAST
MYRINOUS (Ancient demos) MARKOPOULO MESSOGEAS
Myrrhinus (Murrhinous) lay to the east of Prasiae or Porto Raphti, at Meronda, as appears from inscriptions found at this place. Artemis Colaenis was worshipped at Myrrhinus (Paus. i. 31. § 4; Schol. ad Aristoph. Av. 874); and in one of the inscriptions at Meronda mention is made of a temple of Artemis Colaenis. (Bockh, Inscr. No. 100.) (See also Strab. ix. p. 399; Steph.; Phot.)
OROPOS (Ancient port) ATTICA, EAST
Oropus (ho Oropos, rarely he Oropos, Eth. Oropios, and according to Steph
B. Oropeus). A town on the borders of Attica and Boeotia, and the capital of a
district, called after it Oropia (he Oropia.) This district is a maritime plain,
through which the Asopus flows into the sea, and extends for 5 miles along the
shore. It is separated from the inland plain of Tanagra by some hills, which are
a continuation of the principal chain of the Diacrian mountains. Oropus was originally
a town of Boeotia; and, from its position in the maritime plain of the Asopus,
it naturally belonged to that country. (Paus. i. 34. § 1.) It was, however, a
frequent subject of dispute between the Athenians and Boeotians; and the former
people obtained possession of it long before the Peloponnesian War. It continued
in their hands till B.C. 412, when the Boeotians recovered possession of it. (Thuc.
viii. 60.) A few years afterwards (B.C. 402) the Boeotians, in consequence of
a sedition of the Oropii, removed the town 7 stadia from the sea. (Diod. xiv.
17.) During the next 60 years the town was alternately in the hands of the Athenians
and Boeotians (comp. Xen. Hell. vii. 4. 1, &c.), till at length Philip after the
battle of Chaeroneia gave it to the Athenians. (Paus. i. 34. § 1.) In B.C. 318
the Oropians recovered their liberty. (Diod. xviii. 56.) In B.C. 312 Cassander
obtained possession of the city; but Polemon, the general of Antigonus, soon afterwards
expelled the Macedonian garrison, and handed over the city to the Boeotians (Diod.
xix. 77.) It has been concluded from a passage of Dicaearchus (p. 11, ed. Hudson)
that Oropus continued to belong to Thebes in the next century; but the expression
oikia Thebon is corrupt, and no safe conclusion can therefore be drawn from the
passage. Leake proposes to read apoikia Thebon, Wordsworth (skia Thebon, but C.
Muller, the latest editor of Dicaearchus, reads sunoikia theton. Dicaearchus calls
the inhabitants Athenian Boeotians, an epithet which he also applies to the inhabitants
of Plataeae. Strabo also describes Oropus as a Boeotian town (ix. p. 404); but
Livy (xlv. 27), Pausanias, and Pliny (iv. 7. s. 11) place it in Attica. How long
the Oropii inhabited the inland city is uncertain. Pausanias expressly says that
Oropus was upon the sea (epi phalasses, i. 34. § 1); and the inhabitants had probably
returned to their old town long before his time.
Although Oropus was so frequently in the hands of the Athenians, its
name is never found among the Athenian demi. Its territory, however, if not the
town itself, appears to have been made an Attic demus under the name of Graea
(he Graia). In Homer Oropus does not occur, but Graea is mentioned among the Boeotian
towns (Il. ii. 498); and this ancient name appears to have been revived by the
Athenians as the official title of Oropus. Aristotle said that Oropus was called
Graea in his time (ap. Steph. B. s. v. Oropos); and accordingly we find in an
inscription, belonging to this period, the Graes (Graeis) mentioned as a demus
of the tribe Pandionis (Ross & Meier, Die Demen von Attika, p. 6, seq.) In the
passage of Thucydides (ii. 23) pariontes de Oropon ten gen Peiraiken kaloumenen,
en nemontai Oropioi Athenaion hupekooi, edeosan, all the existing MSS. have Peiraiken,
but Stephanus, who quotes the passage, reads Graiken, which Poppo and other modern
editors have received into the text. It is, however, right to observe that the
district of Oropus was frequently designated as the border country or country
over the border (tes peran ges, Thuc. iii. 91).
According to Dicaearchus the Oropians were notorious for their grasping
exactions, levied upon all imports into their country, and were for this reason
satirised by Xenon, a comic poet:
Pantes telonai, pantes eisin harpages.
Kakon telos genoito tois Oropiois.
The position of Oropus is thus defined by Strabo. The beginning is
Oropus, and the sacred harbour, which they call Delphinium, opposite to which
is old Eretria in Euboea, distant 60 stadia. After Delphinium is Oropus at the
distance of 20 stadia, opposite to which is the present Eretria, distant 40 stadia.
Then comes Delium. (Strab. ix. p. 403.) The modern village of Oropo stands at
the distance of nearly two miles from the sea, on the right bank of the Vourieni,
anciently the Asopus: it contains some fragments of ancient buildings and sepulchral
stones. There are also Hellenic remains at the Skala or wharf upon the bay, from
which persons usually embark for Euboea: this place is also called es tous hagious
atostolous, from a ruined church dedicated to the Holy Apostles. Leake originally
placed Oropus at Oropo and Delphinium at Skala; but in the second edition of his
Demi he leaves the position of Oropus doubtful. It seems, however, most probable
that Oropus originally stood upon the coast, and was removed inland only for a
short time. In the Peloponnesian War Thucydides speaks of sailing to and anchoring
at Oropus (iii. 91, viii. 95); and Pausanias, as we have already seen, expressly
states that Oropus was upon the coast. Hence there can be little doubt that Skala
is the site of Oropus, and that Oropo is the inland site which the Oropians occupied
only for a time. It is true that the distance of Oropo from the sea is more than
double the 7 stadia assigned by Diodorus, but it is possible that he may have
originally written 17 stadia. If Oropus stood at Skala, Delphinium must have been
more to the eastward nearer the confines of Attica.
In the territory of Oropus was the celebrated temple of the hero Amphiaraus.
According to Pausanias (i. 34. § I) it was 12 stadia distant from Oropus. Strabo
places it in the district of Psophis, which stood between Rhamnus and Oropus,
and which was subsequently an Attic demus (ix. p. 399). Livy calls it the temple
of Amphilochus (xlv. 27), who, we know from Pausanias, was worshipped conjointly
with Amphiaraus. Livy further describes it as a place rendered agreeable by fountains
and rivers; which leads one to look for it at one of two torrents which join the
sea between Skala and Kalamo, which is probably the ancient Psophis. The mouth
of one of these torrents is distant about a mile and a half from Skala ; at half
a mile from the mouth are some remains of antiquity. The other torrent is about
three miles further to the eastward; on which, at a mile above the plain, are
remains of ancient walls. This place, which is near Kalamo, is called Mavro-Dhilissi,
the epithet Mavro (black) distinguishing it from Dhilissi, the site of Delium.
The distance of the Hellenic remains on the first-mentioned torrent agree with
the 12 stadia of Pausanias; but, on the other hand, inscriptions have been found
at Mavro-Dhilissi and Kalamo, in which the name of Amphiaraus occurs. Dicaearchus
describes the road from Athens to Oropus as leading through bay-trees (dia daphnidon)
and the temple of Amphiaraus. Wordsworth very ingeniously conjectures di Aphidnon
instead of dia daphnidon, observing that it is not probable that a topographer
would have described a route of about 30 miles, which is the distance from Athens
to Oropus, by telling his readers that it passed through bay-trees and a temple.
Although this reading has been rejected by Leake, it is admitted into the text
of Dicaearchus by C. Muller.
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PALLINI (Ancient demos) PALINI
Pallene, a celebrated demus, frequently mentioned by ancient writers and in inscriptions. From the mythical story of the war of the Pallantidae against Theseus, we learn that the demi of Pallene, Gargettus, and Agnus were adjacent. When Pallas was marching from Sphettus in the Mesogaea against Athens, he placed a body of his troops in ambush at Gargettus, under the command of his two sons, who were ordered, as soon as he was engaged with the army of Theseus, to march rapidly upon Athens and take the city by surprise, But the stratagem was revealed to Theseus by Leos of Agnus, the herald of Pallas; whereupon Theseus cut to pieces the troops at Gargettus. In consequence of this a lasting enmity followed between the inhabitants of Pallene and Agnus. (Plut. Thes. 13; Philochor. ap. Schol. ad Eurip. Hippol. 35.) The road from Sphettus to Athens passed through the opening between Mt. Pentelicus and Mt. Hymettus. In this situation, on the SW. side of Pentelicus, we find a small village, named Garito, which is undoubtedly the site of the ancient Gargettus. The proximity of Pallene and Gargettus is indicated by another legend. Pallene was celebrated for its temple of Athena; and we are told that Eurystheus was buried at Gargettus in front of the temple of Athena Pallenis. (Strab. viii. p. 377; Steph., Hesych. s. v. Targettos; paroithe parthenou Pallenidos Eurip. Heracl. 1031.) We know further that Pallene lay on one of the roads from the city to Marathon (Herod. i. 62); and as the most convenient road for warlike operations leads to Marathon around the southern side of Pentelicus, Ross places Pallene half an hour south of Garito, between the monastery Hieraka and the small village Charvati, at the spot where was discovered a celebrated inscription respecting money due to temples, and which was probably placed in the temple of Athena Pallenis. (Bockh, Inscr. n. 76.) In Hieraka there was also found the Boustrophedon inscription of Aristocles, which probably also came from the same temple. (Bockh, n. 23.) Leake supposes Pallene to have stood at the foot of Hymettus, immediately opposite to Garito at the foot of Pentelicus, and supposes its site to be indicated by some Hellenic ruins of considerable extent on a height which is separated only from the northern extremity of Hymettus by the main road into the Mesogaea. This place is about a mile and a half to the south-westward of Garito, near two small churches, in one of which Mr. Finlay found the following fragment: XEOPHANES PALLHeNEUS. This situation, where the roads of the Mesogaea necessarily unite in approaching Athens, is such a point as would be important, and often occupied in military operations; and accordingly, we find that on three occasions in the early history of Athens, Pallene was the scene of action; first, when Eurystheus fought against the Athenians and Heracleidae; again, when Theseus was opposed to the Pallantidae; and a third time when Peisistratus defeated the Alemaeonidae. (Leake, p. 46.) The inscription, however, in such a case, is not decisive evidence, as we have already seen.
Agnus is placed by Ross in the hollow which lies between the extreme northern point of Hymettus and Hieraka. Leake, on the other hand, fixes it at Markopulo, in the southern part of the Mesogaea, because Mr. Finlay found at this place an inscription, .... ulides Agnousios.
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PEONIDES (Ancient demos) ATTIKI
Paeonidae (Paionidai, Paus. ii. 18. § 9), apparently the same as the Paeonia (Paionie) of Herodotus (v. 62), who describes Leipsydrium as situated above Paeonia. It was perhaps on the site of the modern Menidhi, since we know that the modern Greeks frequently change p into m; thus Pentele is also pronounced Mentele.
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PERIDES (Ancient demos) ATTIKI
Titacidae (Titakidai), Perrhidae (Perrhidai), and Thyrgonidae (Thyrgonidai), were probably all in the neighbourhood of Aphidna. These three demi, together with Aphidna, are said to have been removed from the Aeantis to another tribe. (Harpocr. s. v. Thurgonidai.) Perrhidae is described as a demus in Aphidna (Hesych. Phavor. demos en Aphidnais); and that Titacidae was in the same locality may be inferred from the story of the capture of Aphidna by the Dioscuri in consequence of the treachery of Titacus. (Herod. ix. 73; Steph. s. v. Titakidai.)
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PLOTHIA (Ancient demos) STAMATA
Plotheia appears to have belonged to the district of Epacria, and to have been not far from Halae Araphenides. (Harpocr.; Suid.; Steph.; Phot.; Bockh, Inscr. No. 82.)
POTAMOS DEIRADIOTOU (Ancient demos) KERATEA
Potamus (Potamos or Potamoi), the name of two demi, as appears from an inscription quoted by Ross (p. 92), though apparently only one place. It lay on the east coast north of Thoricus, and was once a populous place: it was celebrated as containing the sepulchre of Ion. (Strab. ix. pp, 398, 399; Paus. i. 31. § 2, vii. i. § 2; Plin. iv. 7. s. 11; Suid.; Harpocr.) Its harbour was probably the modern Dhaskalio; and the demus itself is placed by Leake at the ruins named Paleokastro or Evreokastro, situated on a height surrounded by torrents two miles to the south-west of Dhaskalio, a little to the south of the village Dardheza. The port Dhaskalio was probably, as Leake observes, the one which received the Peloponnesian fleet in B.C. 411. (Thuc. viii. 95.)
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POTAMOS HYPENERTHEN (Ancient demos) LAVREOTIKI
Potamus (Potamos or Potamoi), the name of two demi, as appears from an inscription quoted by Ross (p. 92), though apparently only one place. It lay on the east coast north of Thoricus, and was once a populous place: it was celebrated as containing the sepulchre of Ion. (Strab. ix. pp, 398, 399; Paus. i. 31. § 2, vii. i. § 2; Plin. iv. 7. s. 11; Suid.; Harpocr.) Its harbour was probably the modern Dhaskalio; and the demus itself is placed by Leake at the ruins named Paleokastro or Evreokastro, situated on a height surrounded by torrents two miles to the south-west of Dhaskalio, a little to the south of the village Dardheza. The port Dhaskalio was probably, as Leake observes, the one which received the Peloponnesian fleet in B.C. 411. (Thuc. viii. 95.)
POTAMOS KATHYPERTHEN (Ancient demos) LAVREOTIKI
Potamus (Potamos or Potamoi), the name of two demi, as appears from an inscription quoted by Ross (p. 92), though apparently only one place. It lay on the east coast north of Thoricus, and was once a populous place: it was celebrated as containing the sepulchre of Ion. (Strab. ix. pp, 398, 399; Paus. i. 31. § 2, vii. i. § 2; Plin. iv. 7. s. 11; Suid.; Harpocr.) Its harbour was probably the modern Dhaskalio; and the demus itself is placed by Leake at the ruins named Paleokastro or Evreokastro, situated on a height surrounded by torrents two miles to the south-west of Dhaskalio, a little to the south of the village Dardheza. The port Dhaskalio was probably, as Leake observes, the one which received the Peloponnesian fleet in B.C. 411. (Thuc. viii. 95.)
PRASSIES (Ancient demos) PORTO RAFTI
Prasiae (Prasiai), on the east coast, between Potamus and Steiria, with an excellent harbour, from which the Theoria or sacred procession used to sail. Here was a temple of Apollo, and also the tomb of Erysichthon, who died at this place on his return from Delos. (Strab. ix. p. 399; Paus. i. 31. § 2; Thuc. viii. 95; Liv. xxxi. 45.) The ruins of the demus are seen on the north-east side of the bay. The harbour, now called Porto Rafti, is the best on the eastern coast of Attica, and is both deep and capacious. The entrance of the harbour is more than a mile in breadth; and in the centre of the entrance there is a rocky islet, upon which is a colossal statue of white marble, from which the harbour has derived its modem name, since it is commonly supposed to bear some resemblance to a tailor (rhaphtes) at work. The best description of this statue is given by Ross, who remarks that it evidently belongs to the Roman period, and probably to the first or second century after the Christian era. (Ross, Reisen auf den Griech. Inseln, vol. ii. p. 9; comp. Leake, p. 72; Wordsworth, p. 217.) We also learn from Ross that in the middle of the bay there is a rocky promontory with ruins of the middle ages upon it, which promontory Ross supposes to be the Coroneia of Stephanus
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PROVALINTHOS (Ancient demos) NEA MAKRI
Marathon, Probalinthus (Probalinthos), Tricorythus (Trikoruthos), and Oenoe (Oinoe), four demi situated in the small plain open to the sea between Mt. Parnes and Mt. Pentelicus, originally formed the Tetrapolis, one of the twelve ancient divisions of Attica. The whole district was generally known under the name of Marathon
PSAFIS (Ancient demos) OROPOS
Psaphis, originally a town of the Oropia, but subsequently an Attic demus, lay between Oropus and Brauron, and was the last demus in the north-eastern district of Attica. (Strab. ix. p. 399.)
RAMNOUS (Ancient demos) ATTIKI
Rhamnus, Pamnous,- ountos: Eth. Rhamnousios, fem. Ramnousia. A
demus of Attica, belonging to the tribe Aeantis (Steph. B., Harpocr., Suid., s.
v.), which derived its name from a thick prickly shrub, which still grows upon
the site. (Rhamnous, contr. of pamnoeis from pamnos.) The town stood upon the
eastern coast of Attica, at the distance of 60 stadia from Marathon, and upon
the road leading from the latter town to Oropus. (Paus. i. 33. § 2.) It is described
by Scylax as a fortified place; and it appears from a decree in Demosthenes (pro
Cor. p. 238, Reiske) to have been regarded as one of the chief fortresses in Attica.
It was still in existence in the time of Pliny ( Rhamnus pagus, locus Marathon,
iv. 7.s. 11). Rhamnus was the birthplace of the orator Antipho; but it was chiefly
celebrated in antiquity on account of its worship of Nemesis, who was hence called
by the Latin poets Rhamnsusia virgo and Rhamnsssia dea. (Catull. lxvi. 71; Claud.
B. Get. 631; Ov. diet. iii. 406, Trist. v. 8. 9; Stat. Silv. iii. 5. § 5.) The
temple of the goddess was at a short distance from the town. (Paus. l. c.; comp.
Strab. ix. p. 399.) It contained a celebrated statue of Nemesis, which, according
to Pausanias, was the work of Pheidias, and was made by him out of a block of
Parian marble, which the Persians had brought with them for the construction of
a trophy. The statue was of colossal size, 10 cubits in height (Hesych. s. v.;
Zenob. Prov. v. 82), and on its basis were several figures in relief. Other writers
say that the statue was the work of Agoracritus of Paros, a disciple of Pheidias.
(Strab. ix. p. 396; Plin. xxxvi. 5. s. 4. § 17, Sillig.) It was however a common
opinion that Pheidias was the real author of the statue, but that he gave up the
honour of the work to his favourite disciple. (Suid. s. v.; Zenob. l. c.; Tzetz.
Child. vii. 960.) Rhamnus stood in a small plain, 3 miles in length, which, like
that of Marathon, was shut out from the rest of Attica by surrounding mountains.
The town itself was situated upon a rocky peninsula, surrounded by the sea for
two-thirds of its circumference, and connected by a narrow ridge with the mountains,
which closely approach it on the land side. It is now called Ovrio-Kastro. (Obrio-Kastro,
a corruption of Hebraion-Kastron, Jews'-Castle, a name frequently applied in Greece
to the ruins of Hellenic fortresses.) It was about half a mile in circuit, and
its remains are considerable. The principal gate was situated upon the narrow
ridge already mentioned, and is still preserved; and adjoining it is the southern
wall, about 20 feet in height. At the head of a narrow glen, which leads to the
principal gate, stand the ruins of the temple of Nemesis upon a large artificial
platform, supported by a wall of pure white marble. But we find upon this platform,
which formed the temenos or sacred enclosure, the remains of two temples, which
are almost contiguous, and nearly though not quite parallel to each other. The
larger building was a peripteral hexastyle, 71 feet long and 33 broad, with 12
columns on the side, and with a pronaus, cella, and posticum in the usual manner.
The smaller temple was 31 feet long by 21 feet broad, and consisted only of a
cella, with a portico containing two Doric columns in antis. Among the ruins of
the larger temple are some fragments of a colossal statue, corresponding in size
with that of the Rhamnusian Nemesis; but these fragments were made of Attic marble,
and not of Parian stone as stated by Pausanias. It is, however, not improbable,
as Leake has remarked, that the story of the block of stone brought by the Persians
was a vulgar fable, or an invention of the priests of Nemesis by which Pausanias
was deceived. Among the ruins of the smaller temple was found a fragment, wanting
the head and shoulders, of a statue of the human size in the archaic style of
the Aeginetan school. This statue is now in the British Museum. Judging from this
statue, as well as from the diminutive size and ruder architecture of the smaller
temple, the latter appears to have been the more ancient of the two. Hence it
has been inferred that the smaller temple was anterior to the Persian War, and
was destroyed by the Persians just before the battle of Marathon; and that the
larger temple was erected in honour of the goddess, who had taken vengeance upon
the insolence of the barbarians for outraging her worship. In front of the smaller
temple are two chairs (thronoi) of white marble, upon one of which is the inscription
Nemesei Sostratos anetheken, and upon the other Themidi Sostratos anetheken, which
has led some to suppose that the smaller temple was dedicated to Themis. But it
is more probable that both temples were dedicated to Nemesis, and that the smaller
temple was in ruins before the larger was erected. A difficulty, however, arises
about the time of the destruction of the smaller temple, from the fact that the
forms of the letters and the long vowels in the inscriptions upon the chairs clearly
show that those inscriptions belong to an era long subsequent to the battle of
Marathon. Wordsworth considers it ridiculous to suppose that these chairs were
dedicated in this temple after its destruction, and hence conjectures that the
temple was destroyed towards the close of the Peloponnesian War by the Persian
allies of Sparta.
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SFENDALI (Ancient demos) MALAKASSA
Sphendale, a demus, at which Mardonius halted on his route from Deceleia to Tanagra. (Herod. ix. 15; Steph.; Hesych.) Hence it appears to have stood not far from the church of Aio Merkurio, which now gives name to the pass leading from Deceleia through the ridges of Parnes into the extremity of the Tanagraean plain. But as there is no station in the pass where space can be found for a demus, it stood probably at Malakasa, in a plain where some copious sources unite to form the torrent, which joins the sea one mile and a half east of the Skala of Apostolus. (Leake.) In the territory of Sphendale there was a hill, named Hyacinthus. (Suid. s. v. Parthenoi, where Sthendaleon should be read instead of Sthendonion.
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SFITOS (Ancient demos) KROPIA
Sphettus (Sphettos), one of the twelve ancient cities, and subsequently a demus. Its position has given rise to much dispute. Leake places it in the northern part of the Mesogaea, and thinks that Spata may be a corruption of Sphettus. That it was situated either in the Mesogaea or the Paralia is certain from the legend, that Pallas, who had obtained these districts, marched upon Athens from Sphettus by the Sphettian Way. (Plat. Thes. 13; Philochor. ap. Schol. ad Eurip. Hipp. 35.) Now we have seen good reasons for believing that Pallas must have marched round the northern extremity of Hymettus [see above, No. 32]; and consequently the Sphettian road must have taken that course. Although the Sphettian road cannot therefore have run along the western coast and entered Athens from the south, as many modern writers maintain, Sphettus was probably situated further south than Leake supposes, inasmuch as Sphettus and Anaphlystus are represented as sons of Troezen, who migrated into Attica; and, seeing that Anaphlystus was opposite Troezen, it is inferred that Sphettus was probably in the same direction. (Paus. ii. 30. § 9; Steph. s. vv. Anaphlustos, Sphettos.)
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SIMACHIDES (Ancient demos) VARNAVAS
Semachidae (Semachidai), described by Philochorus (ap. Steph. s. v.) as a demus in the district of Epacria, but its exact site is uncertain. (Hesych.; Phot.)
SOUNIO (Cape) ATTIKI
Sunium (Sounion: Eth. Sounieus), the name of a promontory and demus
on the southern coast of Attica. The promontory, which forms the most southerly
point in the country, rises almost perpendicularly from the sea to a great height,
and was crowned with a temple of Athena, the tutelary goddess of Attica. (Paus.
i. 1. § 1; Sounion hiron, Hom. Od. iii. 278; Soph. Ajax, 1235; Eurip. Cycl. 292;
Vitruv. iv. 7). Sunium was fortified in the nineteenth year of the Peloponnesian
War (B.C. 413) for the purpose of protecting the passage of the cornships to Athens
(Thuc. viii. 4), and was regarded from that time as one of the principal fortreses
of Attica (Comp. Dem. pro Cor. p. 238; Liv. xxxi. 25; Scylax, p. 21.) Its proximity
to the silver mines of Laurium probably contributed to its prosperity, which passed
into a proverb (Anaxand. ap. Athen. vi. p. 263, c.); but even in the time of Cicero
it had sunk into decay (ad Att. xiii. 10). The circuit of the walls may still
be traced, except where the precipitous nature of the rocks afforded a natural
defence. The walls which are fortified with square towers, are of the most regular
Hellenic masonry, and enclose a space or a little more than half a mile in circumference.
The southern part of Attica, extending northwards from the promontory of Sunium
as far as Thoricus on the east, and Anaphlystus on the west, is called by Herodotus
the Suniac angle (ton gounon ton Souniakon, iv. 99). Though Sunium was especially
sacred to Athena, we learn from Aristophanes (Equit. 557, Aves, 869) that Poseidon
was also worshipped there.
The promontory of Sunium is now called Cape Kolonnes, from the ruins
of the temple of Athena which still crown its summit. Leake observes that the
temple was a Doric hexastyle; but none of the columns of the fronts remain. The
original number of those in the flanks is uncertain; but there are still standing
nine columns of the southern, and three of the northern side, with their architraves,
together with the two columns and one of the antae of the pronaus, also bearing
their architraves. The columns of the peristyle were 3 feet 4 inches in diameter
at the base, and 2 feet 7 inches under the capital, with an intercolumniation
below of 4 feet 11 inches. The height, including the capital, was 19 feet 3 inches.
The exposed situation of the building has caused a great corrosion in the surface
of the marble, which was probably brought from the neighbouring mountains; for
it is less homogeneous, and of a coarser grain, than the marble of Pentele. The
walls of the fortress were faced with the same kind of stone. The entablature
of the peristyle of the temple was adorned with sculpture, some remains of which
have been found among the ruins. North of the temple, and nearly in a line with
its eastern front, are foundations of the Propylaeum or entrance into the sacred
peribolus: it was about 50 feet long and 30 broad, and presented at either end
a front of two Doric columns between antae, supporting a pediment. The columns
were 17 feet high, including the capital, 2 feet 10 inches in diameter at the
base, with an opening between them of 8 feet 8 inches. (The Demi of Attica, p.
63, 2nd ed.) Leake remarks that there are no traces of any third building visible,
and that we must therefore conclude that here, as in the temple of Athena Polias
at Athens, Poseidon was honoured only with an altar. Wordsworth, however, remarks
that a little to the NE. of the peninsula on which the temple stands is a conical
hill, where are extensive vestiges of an ancient building, which may perhaps be
the remains of the temple of Poseidon. (Athens and Attica, p. 207.)
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STIRIA (Ancient demos) ATTIKI
Steiria (Steph.; Hesych.; Suid.; Plin. iv. 7. s. 11), on the east coast, between Prasiae and Brauron. (Strab. ix. p. 399.) Wordsworth says that it is an hour's walk from Prasiae to Brauron, and that on the way he passed some ruins, which must be those of Steiria. Stiris in Phocis is said to have been founded by the inhabitants of this demus. (Paus. x. 35. § 8.) The road from Athens to Steiria and the harbour of Prasiae was called the Steiriake hodos. (Plat. Hipparch. p. 229.) Steiria was the demus of Theramenes and Thrasybulus.
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TITAKIDES (Ancient demos) AFIDNES
Titacidae (Titakidai), Perrhidae (Perrhidai), and Thyrgonidae (Thyrgonidai), were probably all in the neighbourhood of Aphidna. These three demi, together with Aphidna, are said to have been removed from the Aeantis to another tribe. (Harpocr. s. v. Thurgonidai.) Perrhidae is described as a demus in Aphidna (Hesych. Phavor. demos en Aphidnais); and that Titacidae was in the same locality may be inferred from the story of the capture of Aphidna by the Dioscuri in consequence of the treachery of Titacus. (Herod. ix. 73; Steph. s. v. Titakidai.)
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TRIKORYTHOS (Ancient demos) MARATHONAS
Marathon, Probalinthus (Probalinthos), Tricorythus (Trikoruthos), and Oenoe (Oinoe), four demi situated in the small plain open to the sea between Mt. Parnes and Mt. Pentelicus, originally formed the Tetrapolis, one of the twelve ancient divisions of Attica. The whole district was generally known under the name of Marathon
TRINEMIA (Ancient demos) ANIXI
Trinemeia, at which one of the minor branches of the Cephissus takes its rise, and therefore probably situated at the modern village of Buyati. (Strab. ix.; Steph. B. s. v.)
VISSA (Ancient demos) LAVREOTIKI
Besa, situated in the mining district, midway between Anaphlystus and Thoricus (Xen. Vect. 4. 43, 44), and 300 stadia from Athens. (Isaeus, de Pyrrh. Her., Steph.). Xenophon recommended the erection of a fortress at Besa, which would thus connect the two fortresses situated respectively at Anaphlystus and Thoricus. Strabo (ix.) says that the name of this demus was written with one s, which is confirmed by inscriptions.
VRAVRON (Ancient city) ATTICA, EAST
Brauron. One of the twelve ancient cities, but never mentioned as a demus,
though it continued to exist down to the latest times. It was situated on or near
the eastern coast of Attica, between Steiria and Halae Araphenides, near the river
Erasinus. (Strab. viii. p. 371, ix. p. 399.) Its name is apparently preserved
in that of the two villages, called Vraona and Paleo Vraona, situated south of
the Erasinus. Brauron is celebrated on account of the worship of Artemis Brauronia,
in whose honour a festival was celebrated in this place. (Herod. vi. 138.) Here
Orestes and Iphigeneia were supposed to have landed, on their return from Tauris,
bringing with them the statue of the Taurian goddess. (Pans. i. 33. § 1, iii.
16. § 7; Eurip. Iphig. in Taur. 1450, 1462; Nonnus, Dionys. xiii. 186.) This ancient
statue, however, was preserved at Halae Araphenides, which seems to have been
the proper harbour of Brauron, and therefore the place at which the statue first
landed. Pausanias (i. 33. § 1), it is true, speaks of an ancient statue of Artemis
at Brauron; but the statue brought from Tauris is expressly placed by Callimachus
(Hymn. in Dian. 173), and Euripides (Iphig. in Taur. 1452) at Halae; and Strabo
(ix. p. 399) distinguishes the temple of Artemis Tauropolus at Halae Araphenides
from the temple of Artemis Brauronia at Brauron. There was a temple of Artemis
Brauronia on the Acropolis, containing a statue of the goddess by Praxiteles.
This extract is from: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD). Cited June 2004 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
ACHARNAI (Ancient demos) ACHARNES
The principal deme of Attica belonging to the tribe Oeneis,
60 stadia north of Athens, near the foot of Mt. Parnes. The land was fertile,
and the population rough and warlike, furnishing at the commencement of the
Peloponnesian War 3000 hoplites, or one-tenth of the whole infantry of the republic.
The deme gives the name to one of the plays of Aristophanes (Acharneis), represented
B.C. 425.
This text is cited Sep 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
AGNOUS (Ancient demos) PEANIA
A deme of Attica, west of Paeania, and belonging to the tribe Acamantis.
ALE EXONIDES (Ancient demos) VOULA
A deme of Attica belonging to the tribe Cecropis. It was situated on the western coast.
ERCHIA (Ancient demos) SPATA
One of the demes of Attica, and belonging to the tribe Aegeis. Its position has not been positively ascertained. This was the native demus of Xenophon and Isocrates.
GARGITOS (Ancient demos) GERAKAS
A deme of Attica, on the northwest slope of Mount Hymettus; the birthplace of the philosopher Epicurus.
INOI (Ancient city) MARATHONAS
A deme of Attica, near Marathon, belonging to the tribe Aeantis.
KEFALI (Ancient demos) KERATEA
An Attic deme on the right bank of the Erasinus. It belonged to the tribe Acamantis.
LAVRION (Ancient city) ATTIKI
(Laurion and Laureion). A mountain in the south of Attica, a little north of the promontory Sunium, celebrated for its silver mines, which in early times were very productive, so that each Athenian citizen received ten drachmae ($1.60) annually; but in the time of Augustus they yielded nothing.
MARATHON (Ancient demos) ATTICA, EAST
Marathon. A deme of Attica, belonging to the tribe Leontis, was situated
near a bay on the east coast of Attica, twenty-two miles from Athens by one road,
and twenty-six miles by another. It originally belonged to the Attic tetrapolis,
and is said to have derived its name from the hero Marathon. This hero, according
to one account, was the son of Epopeus, king of Sicyon, who having been expelled
from Peloponnesus by the violence of his father, settled in Attica; while, according
to another account, he was an Arcadian who took part in the expedition of the
Tyndaridae against Attica, and devoted himself to death before the battle.
The site of the ancient town of Marathon was probably not at
the modern village of Marathon, but at a place called Vrana, a little to the south
of Marathon. Marathon was situated in a plain, which extends along the sea-shore,
about six miles in length, and from three miles to one mile and a half in breadth.
It is surrounded on the other three sides by rocky hills and rugged mountains.
Two marshes bound the extremity of the plain; the northern is more than a square
mile in extent, but the southern is much smaller, and is almost dry at the conclusion
of the great heats. Through the centre of the plain runs a small brook. In this
plain was fought the celebrated battle between the Persians and Athenians, August
12th, B.C. 490. The Persians, numbering some 100,000 men, were drawn up on the
plain, and the Athenians, 10,000 strong, under Miltiades, on some portion of the
high ground above the plain; but the exact ground occupied by the two armies cannot
be identified, notwithstanding the investigations of modern travellers. The Athenians
lost 192 men, the Persians 6400. The tumulus or mound, raised over the Athenians
who fell in the battle, is still to be seen. It is an isolated knoll in the plain,
about 40 feet in height and 600 feet in circumference. Excavations made by Schliemann
and others yielded nothing until 1890, when, under the direction of the Greek
Archaeological Society, a number of vases of the fifth century B.C. and burned
bones were found, undoubtedly those of the Athenians slain in the battle. The
mound is now called the Soros.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
MYRINOUS (Ancient demos) MARKOPOULO MESSOGEAS
A deme on the eastern coast of Attica, belonging to the tribe Pandionis.
PALLINI (Ancient demos) PALINI
A deme of Attica belonging to the tribe Antiochis.
PARNITHA (Mountain) ATTIKI
A mountain in the northeastern part of Attica, was a continuation of Mount Cithaeron, and formed part of the boundary between Boeotia and Attica. It was well wooded, abounded in game, and on its lower slopes produced excellent wine. On the summit were altars and a statue of Zeus.
PERIDES (Ancient demos) ATTIKI
A deme of Attica belonging to the tribe Antiochis
POTAMOS DEIRADIOTOU (Ancient demos) KERATEA
(Potamoi) or Potamus (Potamos). An Attic deme belonging to the tribe Leontis. Here the tomb of Ion was shown.
PROSPALTA (Ancient demos) KALYVIA THORIKO
A deme of Attica belonging to the tribe Acamantis.
PROVALINTHOS (Ancient demos) NEA MAKRI
A deme of Attica, south of Marathon, and belonging to the tribe Pandionis.
RAMNOUS (Ancient demos) ATTIKI
Rhamnous. Now Obrio Kastro; a demus in Attica, belonging to the tribe
Aeantis, which derived its name from the rhamnos, a kind of prickly shrub. Rhamnus
was situated on a small rocky peninsula on the east coast of Attica, sixty stadia
from Marathon. It possessed a celebrated temple of Nemesis, who is hence called
by the Latin poets Rhamnusia dea or virgo. A colossal statue of the goddess
in this temple was the work of Agoracritus, the pupil of Phidias, or possibly
by Phidias himself. Remains of the temple still exist.
This text is cited Sep 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
SFITOS (Ancient demos) KROPIA
A deme of Attica near the silver-mines of Sunium. It belonged to the tribe Acamantis.
VRAVRON (Ancient city) ATTICA, EAST
A deme of Attica on the eastern bank of the river Erasinus, with a celebrated temple of Artemis, who was in consequence called Brauronia.
AGIOS STEFANOS (Municipality) ATTIKI
MARATHONAS (Municipality) ATTICA, EAST
MARKOPOULO MESSOGEAS (Municipality) ATTICA, EAST
NEA MAKRI (Municipality) ATTICA, EAST
VOULIAGMENI (Municipality) ATTIKI
ATTICA, EAST (Prefectural seat) ATTIKI
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