ACHAEA (region in Elis)
Ancient region in Peloponnese
- Kind of place
- Region
- Region
- Elis
- Patron
- Dionysus
- Landmarks
- Temples honoring Dionysus Ovid Met. 4.604-662
- Where
- 38.09° N, 21.86° E
Achaia was a region known for its wealth. Ovid Met. 8.260-546 The city of Helice was swallowed up by the waves. Strabo 8.7.1 Achaia honored Bacchus by building temples for him. Ovid Met. 4.604-662
Described in the sources
Olenus is a location situated within the region of Achaia. Apollodorus 1.8.4 +1 The river Larisus marks the border between Elis and Achaia. Pausanias 6.26.10 +1 The city of Triteia is located within the region of Achaia and is situated inland. Pausanias 6.12.9 +1 Xerxes and his land army marched through the region of Achaea, arriving at the location of Alus. Herodotus 7.196.1 +1 Tisamenus traveled to Achaia with his army and founded cities there after the Heracleidae returned. Pausanias 2.18.8 +1 The area is named Achaea after the Achaeans, who settled there after defeating and expelling the Ionians. Pausanias 5.1.1 +1 The region was formerly known as the country of the Ionians, who lived there while staying in the Peloponnese. Herodotus 7.94.1 +1 Achaea is one of the five divisions of the Peloponnesus, where the Achaeans reside along the coast at the far end. Pausanias 5.1.1 +1 Pellene is a city located within the region of Achaia and is the final city of the region when traveling toward Sicyon and the Argolid. Pausanias 10.11.6 +1 Phlius is a fortress in the region. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.6 ¶1
Gods and worship
A hero named Deipneus is honoured in this region. Athenaeus 2.9 Victors in the Nemean Games receive parsley wreaths here. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 19.46 ¶1 The region contains a story about the worship of Laphystian Zeus. Herodotus 7.197.1 The Achaeans reached their peak of power when Greek states stopped acting together. Pausanias 7.7.1
Stories and history
Eating grapes or drinking wine from Achaian vines is said to cause miscarriage in pregnant women. Athenaeus 1.57 +1 Mummius conquered the region of Achaia, and this conquest introduced statues and pictures to Rome. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 33.53 ¶1 +1 The Achaeans fought poorly against Metellus and were approached by him for an agreement on peace terms. Pausanias 7.15.11 +1 Augustus incorporated Dyme into the city of Patrae. Pausanias 7.17.5 Achaea possessed an army that toiled alongside Menelaus. Euripides, The Trojan Women 860-894 No Achaean city except Pellene ever experienced tyranny. Pausanias 7.7.1 Achaia is the origin of a fine cheese known as Tromilican. Athenaeus 14.76 The emperor annexed Triteia to the jurisdiction of Patrae. Pausanias 7.22.6 Philip the son of Demetrius conquered Dyme during his wars. Pausanias 7.17.5 The Achaeans ordered the boy to be thrown from Troy's walls. Euripides, The Trojan Women 709-739
Myths set at Achaea
- The War Against the Ionians. Tisamenus, a mythical son of Orestes, leads the Achaeans in a war against the Ionians after attempting a peaceful settlement. He defeats the Ionians and drives them out, but dies in the conflict and is buried in Helice. Pausanias 2.18.8 +5 Tisamenus
- The Council of the Achaeans. Agamemnon urges warriors to join the campaign but fears the Trojans will burn the ships. He seeks counsel from Nestor and Ulysses, admitting his anger has cost him key allies and expressing a desire for better advice. Iliad 11 ¶52 +3 Agamemnon
- The Deception of Phalanthus. Iphiclus besieges the city of Achaia held by Phalanthus, seeking to secure the buried Phoenician riches left behind. He uses deception involving fish and painted crows to trick Phalanthus into leaving under a treaty, only to sabotage their departure by providing boats without rudders, oars, or sails. Athenaeus 8.61
- The Siege of Achaia. hook: Iphiclus besieges the city of Achaia in Ialysus. goal: He seeks to secure the city and its inhabitants through a combination of deception and treaty. outcome: Phalanthus and his troops retreat under a treaty, while the Phoenicians are left with unusable boats. Athenaeus 8.61
- The Siege of Achaia. Phalanthus defends the city of Achaia against Iphiclus until a tricked oracle signals the end of the siege. He attempts to smuggle wealth out under a treaty but is forced to leave with useless boats and buried treasures. Athenaeus 8.61
- The Siege of Achaia and the Trick of the Crows. Phalanthus holds the city of Achaia but fights weakly after receiving an oracle predicting his fall via white crows and fish in goblets. He is tricked by Iphiclus, forced to leave with useless boats, and the Greeks take control of the city. Athenaeus 8.61