HELIKE (city in Achaea)
Ancient city of Achaia, identified with an archaeological site
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Achaea
- Patron
- Poseidon
- Landmarks
- Temple of the Heliconian Poseidon Strabo 8.7.2; Grove of Poseidon Pausanias 7.24.12
- Where
- 38.22° N, 22.14° E
Helice was a spacious coastal town located twelve stadia from the sea. Pausanias 7.24.5 The ruins of the city are visible in the water. Pausanias 7.24.13 The god wiped Helice from the face of the earth. Pausanias 7.25.8
Described in the sources
Helice is located in the region of Achaia. Callimachus, Hymn 4 ¶3 +3 Helice is located on the coast-land near Aegium, forty stades from the city. Iliad 2 ¶42 +1 The city was named after Ion's wife. Pausanias 7.1.4 The city was founded by Ion in the region of Aegialus. Pausanias 7.1.4 The Prienians are said to have originated from this city. Strabo 8.7.2 The Danaans brought many welcome offerings to this location. Iliad 8 ¶19 Helice is located in the territory occupied by the Aegienses. Strabo 8.7.5 Homer mentions the location in his list of Agamemnon's allies. Pausanias 7.1.4 Helice is the site of a high cairn, the tomb of the son of Lycaon. Theocritus, Idyl 1 ¶7 Helice is the fifth location in the sequence of Achaean settlements. Strabo 8.7.4
Gods and worship
The Ionians maintained a very holy sanctuary of Heliconian Poseidon here. Pausanias 7.24.5
Stories and history
A winter sea flood covered the entire city of Helice from all sides, swallowing up the city and every person within it. Pausanias 7.24.12 +4 The Ionians fled to Helice after being defeated in battle by the Achaeans. Herodotus 1.145.1 +1 People from Aegae brought presents to Helice. Strabo 8.7.4 The Ionians were eventually banished from Helice. Strabo 8.7.4 Agorius was brought from Helice to Elis by Oxylus. Pausanias 5.4.3 The city refused to accept Leto when she arrived there. Callimachus, Hymn 4 ¶3 No inhabitants of the city survived the destruction event. Pausanias 7.25.4 The Ionians were expelled from this place by the Achaeans. Pausanias 7.24.5 The city was described as a companion of the god Poseidon. Callimachus, Hymn 4 ¶3 The city was destroyed during the fourth year of the 101st Olympiad. Pausanias 7.25.4
Myths set at Helike
- The Destruction of Helice. Poseidon sent a violent earthquake to punish the Lacedaemonians for killing men who had taken refuge in his sanctuary. The disaster completely destroyed the city of Helice and its buildings. Pausanias 7.24.12 +2 Poseidon