EUBOEA (island)
Greek island
- Kind of place
- Island
- Where
- 38.50° N, 24.00° E
Euboea is a large, wealthy, and irregularly shaped oblong island. Herodotus 5.31.3 Zeus renamed the island Euboea after the cow Io. Aegimius fr. 4 The waveless bay of Aulis is located within Euboea. Argonautica 4 ¶109
Described in the sources
Chalcis is the capital of the island of Euboea, located on the Euripus. Hesiod's Works and Days ll. 646-662 +4 Eretria was a prosperous city on the island of Euboea, located opposite the mainland coast and described as the second largest city after Chalcis. Herodotus 6.127.4 +3 Carystus is a city in Euboea associated with the Abantes and settled by expelled Dryopes. Diodorus 4.37 +2 The Abantes, who were not considered Ionians, originated from and held the island of Euboea and its various cities. Herodotus 1.146.1 +2 Chalcodon is located in Euboea. Euripides, Ion 41-81 +1 Euboea is described as having a deep-gulfed wing. Aegimius fr. 4 +1 Histiaea is a vine-rich city located within Euboea. Iliad 2 ¶38 +1 Euboea was previously known by the names Abantis, Oché, and Ellopia. Aegimius fr. 4 +1 The Phaeacians traveled to Euboea to deliver Rhadamanthus to Tityus. Odyssey 7 ¶26 +1 Euboea contains a location named Aegae, situated opposite the Boeotian coast. Strabo 8.7.4 +1
Gods and worship
Certain honors are reportedly paid to Tityus on the island. Strabo 9.3.14
Stories and history
Eretria founded cities near Pallene and Mount Athos. Strabo 10.1.8 Many men perished when the ships wrecked on the rocks. Apollodorus, Epitome 6.7 Hera drove Macris away from the entire island in anger. Argonautica 4 ¶68 Nauplius kindled a beacon on Mount Caphareus located here. Apollodorus, Epitome 6.7 Chalcidians established many settlements in Italy and Sicily. Strabo 10.1.8 Two thousand Athenians founded the city of Oreus on the island. Strabo 10.1.3 The inhabitants of Euboea were involved in a war against Athens. Euripides, Ion 41-81 The city sharing the island's name was destroyed by an earthquake. Strabo 10.1.9 Xuthus sacked Euboea while fighting alongside the sons of Cecrops. Euripides, Ion 275-307 Athenian forces fought and defeated the Chalcidians on this island. Herodotus 5.77.2
Myths set at Euboea
In the age of the gods
Before the heroes. In Godsunder these are history: everyone in the world knows them.
- The Trick to Reconcile Hera. Zeus seeks a trick to bring Hera back after she retreats to Euboea in anger. He is reconciled with Hera after she discovers a wooden image he created. Pausanias 9.3.1 +1 Zeus
In the age of heroes
- The Return of the Captives. Lichas returns to Deianeira after a long absence, bringing captive maidens from Euboea and news of Heracles' victory over Eurytus. He confesses to hiding Heracles' love for one of the captives to protect Deianeira's feelings. Seneca, Hercules Oetaeus act 1 ¶5 +5 Lichas
- Hera's Quarrel with Zeus. Hera quarrels with Zeus and withdraws to Euboea, where she is reconciled after discovering a wooden image. In another version, she returns to Stymphalus, where she was reared by Temenus. Pausanias 8.22.2 +2 Hera
- The Altars at Cape Cenaeum. Heracles was ordered to make a pure sacrifice to Zeus for sacking a city. He fulfilled this vow by building altars and a grove at Cape Cenaeum in Euboea. Sophocles, Trachiniae 225-247 +2 Heracles
- The Construction of the Harbour at Zanclus. Orion, after receiving an underground house from Poseidon and Hephaestus, moves to Euboea. He then travels to Sicily to build a harbour and mole for King Zanclus. Apollodorus 1.4.4 +2 Orion
- The Search for Heracles in Euboea. The Nurse suggests Hyllus find his father, Heracles, who is waging war in Euboea. Hyllus agrees to go assist his father in a contest after learning about the situation. Sophocles, Trachiniae 49-60 +2 Hyllus
- War of the Epigoni. Mars, acting on Jove's command, inflames the Inachian host and stirs up Aonia, Euboea, and Phocis for war. He rages near Helicon, causing the mountain's quills to shake from the sound of battle. Statius, Thebaid 6.942-946 ¶2 +2 Ares
- The Death of Creon. Lycus, a stranger from Euboea, intends to exterminate the children of Heracles, who are Creon's grandchildren. Creon is killed by Lycus, allowing the stranger to seize the government of Thebes. Euripides, Heracles 1-59 +1 Creon
- The Death of Young Aeolus. A young man named Aeolus, born on the rocky island of Euboea, is sent to battle from Thisbe. He is killed by an arrow to the forehead, and the city of Erythrae refuses to receive his body. Statius, Thebaid 9.758-784 ¶1