ELAEA (city in Mysia and Aeolis)
Ancient city of Aeolis in modern-day Turkey
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Mysia and Aeolis
- Where
- 38.94° N, 27.04° E
Elaea is the first city of Aeolis reached when descending from the Caicus plain to the sea. Pausanias 5.24.6 Menestheus and accompanying Athenians founded the city during the expedition against Ilium. Strabo 13.3.5 The inhabitants offer sacrifices to a hero at a tomb within the city. Pausanias 9.5.14
Described in the sources
Menecrates, a writer from this city, preserved an ancient tradition about the origin of the Mysians and wrote a work about the founding of cities. Strabo 12.8.3 +1 The city possesses a harbour. Strabo 13.3.5 Elaea is located 70 stadia from Myrina. Strabo 13.3.5 The altars of Conon are situated next to Elaea. Strabo 16.4.9 The watch-towers of Demetrius are located next to Elaea. Strabo 16.4.9 The city is located on the route leading to the plain of the Caicus. Pausanias 9.5.14 A stone marking a tomb is situated in the open part of its market-place. Pausanias 9.5.14 Elaea is situated near Pitane, Atarneus, and Pergamum on the same side of the Caïcus river. Strabo 13.1.69
Stories and history
It contains a station for vessels belonging to the Attalic kings. Strabo 13.3.5 The people of Elaea dedicated a beardless image of Zeus at Olympia. Pausanias 5.24.6