Potidaea

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(pŏt'ĭ-dē'ə) pronunciation

An ancient city of northeast Greece. Founded as a Corinthian colony in 609 B.C., it revolted against Athens in 432 but was reconquered in 429 after a two-year siege. Philip of Macedon destroyed the city in 356.

Potidaea, Corinthian colony founded c.600 BC (see PERIANDER) on the western prong of Chalcidicē in north-east Greece for the purpose of trade with Macedonia. It joined the (Athenian) Delian League, but the fact that Corinth supplied its annual chief magistrate meant that it was inevitably involved in any hostility between Athens and Corinth. It revolted from Athens in 432 BC but was retaken in 430 after a siege (see PELOPONNESIAN WAR). Athenian cleruchs held it until 404 when it passed to the Chalcidians. It was recovered by Athens in 363, but in 356 fell into the hands of Philip II of Macedon (see also DEMOSTHENES (2) 1). Perhaps destroyed in the Olynthian War (348), it was refounded c.316 by Cassander under the name of Cassandreia.

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Potidaea (pŏtĭdē'ə), ancient city, NE Greece, at the narrowest point of the Pallene (now Kassándra) peninsula in Chalcidice (now Khalkidhikí). It was a Corinthian colony (c.600 B.C.) but joined the Athenian-dominated Delian League. Potidaea revolted (432) against Athens with Corinthian help, providing one of the incitements to the Peloponnesian War. Athens recaptured (430 or 429) the city. Philip II of Macedon took (356) Potidaea and may have destroyed it in the ensuing war. Rebuilt by Cassander, the city was named Cassandreia.


Map of ancient Chalcidice.

Potidaea (Greek: Ποτίδαια Potidaia, modern transliteration: Potidea) was a colony founded by the Corinthians around 600 BC in the narrowest point of the peninsula of Pallene, the westernmost of three peninsulas at the southern end of Chalcidice in northern Greece.

While besieged by the Persians in 479 BC, the town was saved by the earliest recorded tsunami in history.[1] Herodotus reports how the Persians attackers who tried to exploit an unusual retreat of the water were suddenly surprised by "a great flood-tide, higher, as the people of the place say, than any one of the many that had been before".[2]

During the Delian League conflicts occurred between Athens and Corinth. However, the Corinthians sent a supreme magistrate each year. Potidaea was inevitably involved in all of the conflicts between Athens and Corinth.

The people revolted against the Athenians in 432 BC, but it was besieged during the Peloponnesian War and taken in the Battle of Potidaea in 430 BC. The Athenians preserved the city until 404 BC, when it was passed into Chalcidice.

The Athenians retook the city in 363 BC, but in 356 BC Potidaea fell into the hands of Philip II of Macedon. Potidaea was destroyed and her territory handed to the Olynthians. Cassander built a city on the same site which was named Cassandreia, perhaps a sign that he intended it to be his capital. Cassandreia, much reduced in size, was used to establish a home for refugees from Asia Minor after the first world war, and at that time was renamed 'New Potidaea' (Nea Potidaia). A modern village nearby on the peninsula preserves the name of Cassandreia.

The modern settlement of Nea Potidea is near this ancient site.

In 2012 researchers from Aachen University announced that they had discovered evidence that supported the account of Herodotous and that the area should be included among Greek regions prone to tsunamis.[3]

Contents

Trivia

References

  1. ^ Smid, T. C.: "'Tsunamis' in Greek Literature", Greece & Rome, 2nd Ser., Vol. 17, No. 1 (Apr., 1970), pp. 100-104 (102f.)
  2. ^ Herodot: "The Histories", 8.129
  3. ^ "Persian invaders of Greece 'did perish in tsunami'". BBC News. 20 April 2012. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17783788. Retrieved 22 Aprile 2012. 

See also

External links

Coordinates: 40°12′N 23°20′E / 40.2°N 23.333°E / 40.2; 23.333


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Periander (Ancient Greek philosopher & statesman)
Cassander (Macedonian king)
Khalkidhikí (geographical area, Greece)