APHETAE (settlement in Magnesia)
Ancient locality in Magnesia, Greece
- Kind of place
- Settlement
- Region
- Magnesia
- Where
- 39.14° N, 23.27° E
The name Aphetae signifies the starting point for the Argonauts' departure. Strabo 9.5.15 Heracles was abandoned at Aphetae by Jason and the Argonauts while fetching water, an event that gave the place its name. Herodotus 7.193.2 Aphetae is a locality situated on a gulf in Magnesia, near the sea and the naval arsenal of Pagasae. Herodotus 7.193.2
Described in the sources
Pherecydes claims Heracles was left behind at this location. Apollodorus 1.9.19 +1 The Persians counted their remaining ships at this location. Herodotus 8.7.2 The barbarians arrived at this location in the early afternoon. Herodotus 8.6.1 The location received dead bodies and shipwrecks driven by a storm. Herodotus 8.12.1 Aphetae is the location where a person reportedly dove into the sea. Herodotus 8.8.2 Men still called that specific beach Aphetae of Argo at the time of writing. Argonautica 1 ¶70 The Persian fleet returned to this location after a naval battle ended at nightfall. Herodotus 8.11.3 The foreign fleet arrived at this location, with Sandoces commanding all but fifteen ships. Herodotus 7.196.1
Gods and worship
They paid honour to Dolops at nightfall by burning sheep as victims. Argonautica 1 ¶70
Stories and history
Xerxes' forces used this location as an anchorage point for their ships. Herodotus 7.193.2 The Argonauts put to land at Aphetae in the evening when the wind blew against them and lingered on the shore for two days before setting sail again. Argonautica 1 ¶70