ERYTHRAE (town in Boeotia)
Ancient town in Boeotia, Greece
The town contains a sanctuary dedicated to the god Heracles. Pausanias 7.5.5 The town is located near the lower hills of Cithaeron. Herodotus 9.19.3 A temple dedicated to Athena Polias is located within the town. Pausanias 7.5.9
Described in the sources
The city was named after Erythrus, a son of Rhadamanthus. Diodorus 5.79 +1 Erythrae is a green Boeotian town that sent a warrior to battle. Statius, Thebaid 7.255-281 ¶1 +1 Erythrae is situated near the Asopus river and marked the starting point of the army's position along it. Herodotus 9.15.3 +1 Erythrae is located in the inland parts of Boeotia, below the mountain Cithaeron, and near the town of Parasopia. Euripides, Bacchae 728-774 +1 The town is located in the region of Boeotia. Herodotus 9.19.3 The hair rope is kept by the natives of Erythrae. Pausanias 7.5.8 Erythrae was a settlement held by the Boeotian forces. Iliad 2 ¶34 The sanctuary at the town is noted for being very old. Pausanias 7.5.5 The people of Erythrae speak the same language as the Chians. Herodotus 1.142.4 The mountain Mimas is situated between Erythrae and Hypocremnus. Strabo 14.1.33
Stories and history
The city possesses a port. Strabo 14.1.31 The town is now reduced to ruins. Pausanias 9.2.1 The men of Erythrae towed a raft ashore. Pausanias 7.5.8 The town is described as being rich in flocks. Statius, Thebaid 7.255-281 ¶1 The god Heracles departed from Tyre on a wooden raft. Pausanias 7.5.5 The Ionian city of Erythrae was a colony of this Boeotian Erythrae. Strabo 9.2.12 The local inhabitants do not know the reason for the god's departure. Pausanias 7.5.5 The town was established by Cnopus, who was an illegitimate son of Codrus. Strabo 14.1.3 A prolonged battle occurred at this location involving the Greek volunteers. Herodotus 9.22.1 Rhadamanthys granted his son Erythrus the kingship over the city named Erythrae. Diodorus 5.79