AEGINA (island)
Greek island of the Saronic Gulf
- Also called
- Oenone, Oinone, Oinopian isle
- Kind of place
- Island
- Landmarks
- Shrine of Aeacus Pausanias 2.29.6
- People of myth here
- Aeacus, Aegina, Deiphontes, Iphiclus, Iphiclus, Son of Thestius
- Where
- 37.73° N, 23.49° E
The land is stony at the surface, giving it a bare appearance. Strabo 8.6.16 Æacus renamed the island Ægina after his mother. Ovid Met. 7.469-613 The inhabitants were called Myrmidones, a name explained by their ant-like digging habits. Strabo 8.6.16
Described in the sources
Aegina is situated in front of the territory of Epidaurus, to the left of the route taken by Minos, and in the direction of the southern winds relative to Salamis, whose ancient city faced towards the island. Ovid Met. 7.469-613 +2 The Argonauts stopped at the beach of Aegina to fetch water for their ship on their return journey. Argonautica 4 ¶108 +1 Aegina is considered one of the most celebrated places and was the kingdom ruled by Æacus and the homeland of him and his descendants. Ovid Met. 7.469-613 +1 The displaced inhabitants of the island settled in Thyrea in Argolis, while the Athenians harassed the remaining inhabitants from their new settlement. Herodotus 6.90.1 +1 Aegina is an island located in the Saronic Gulf, within the Cretan, Saronic, and Myrtoan Seas, roughly 100 stadia from the mainland areas of Attica, Megara, and parts of the Peloponnesus that surround it. Strabo 2.5.21 +1 The island's ancient name was Oenone. Strabo 8.6.16 The island is described as being free. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.19 ¶3 The island is described as being prosperous. Bacchylides 12 Euthymenes achieved victory at this location. Pindar, Nemean 5 ¶5 The island was formerly known by the name Œnone. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.19 ¶3
Gods and worship
The island once held significant power at sea, with its navy becoming superior to the fleet of Athens at one point. Pausanias 2.29.5 +1 Youths of the Myrmidons still race to carry full water jars on their shoulders there. Argonautica 4 ¶108
Stories and history
The Aeginetans were the bitterest foes of the Athenians. Herodotus 5.89.1 +1 Cleomenes advanced to the island to arrest influential citizens who had shown Persian sympathies. Herodotus 6.50.1 +1 Aegina was engaged in a war with Athens. Herodotus 6.94.1 Its length is eighteen miles when sailing past it. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.19 ¶3 Demaratus slandered Cleomenes while he was in Aegina. Herodotus 6.61.1 Athenians requested the return of images from the island. Herodotus 5.84.2 Cleomenes returned home from Aegina after his time there. Herodotus 6.61.1 The Athenians planned to cause mischief against the island. Herodotus 6.88.1 The island's circuit is said to be approximately 180 stadia. Strabo 8.6.16 The Athenians were preparing to march against the Aeginetans. Herodotus 5.89.2
Myths set at Aegina
- The Arrival of Phocus in Phocis. Phocus, son of Aeacus, travels from Aegina to the mainland to claim rule over the inhabitants and settle there. He establishes a friendship with Iaseus, receives a gold seal-ring, and his presence helps establish the name for the region of Phocis. Ovid Met. 7.469-613 +5 Phocus
- The Killing of Phocus. Peleus accidentally kills his half-brother Phocus during a pentathlon competition. He is banished from Aegina for the fratricide. Apollodorus 3.12.6 +5 Peleus
- The Murder of Phocus. Aeacus's sons Peleus and Telamon kill their brother Phocus due to foolishness. Aeacus exiles them from Aegina for the murder. Apollodorus 3.12.6 +5 Aeacus
- The Murder of Phocus and Exile from Aegina. Telamon and Peleus kill their brother Phocus to please their mother, forcing them to flee Aegina. Telamon is condemned for the murder and forced to defend himself from the sea after being forbidden from landing. Apollodorus 3.12.6 +5 Telamon
- The Aid to Athens. A ship arrives at Aegina to summon the sons of Aeacus for a military conflict, but Aeacus refuses Minos's request due to a treaty with Cecropia. Instead, he offers all his military forces to aid Athens. Herodotus 5.80.2 +4 Aeacus
- The Creation of the Myrmidons. Aeacus, facing a famine on the island of Aegina, asks Zeus for help. Zeus responds by creating new inhabitants for the island, either from ants or from the earth. Apollodorus 3.12.6 +4 Aeacus
- The Embassy to Aegina. Cephalus arrives in Aegina to negotiate military aid for the subjection of Achaia. He succeeds in his diplomatic mission and departs with new soldiers and arms. Ovid Met. 7.469-613 (2) +3 Cephalus
- The Plague of Aegina. Juno unleashed a plague on Aegina out of hatred for a country named after her rival. Æacus suffered as the pestilence killed many of his citizens, including young men he mourned. Ovid Met. 7.469-613 (3) Aeacus