HYPERESIA (POLIS) (city in Achaea)
Homeric city, renamed Aigeira in the late Classical period
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Achaea
- Where
- 38.15° N, 22.35° E
Homer referred to this specific city by the name Hyperesia in his poetry, claiming it was mentioned in a list of Agamemnon's companions. Pausanias 7.26.13 A sanctuary of Zeus containing a sitting marble statue is located within the city. Pausanias 7.26.4 An image of Athena stands inside the sanctuary of Zeus in the city. Pausanias 7.26.4
Described in the sources
Hyperesia was one of the cities that sent ships to the war. Iliad 2 ¶42 Hypersia is part of the territory belonging to the Achaeans. Strabo 8.6.25 Polypheides resided in this city after quarreling with his father. Odyssey 15 ¶20 The city was inhabited by Ionians when it received its current name. Pausanias 7.26.2 The name Aegeira did not immediately replace the older name Hyperesia. Pausanias 7.26.4 The inhabitants of Hyperesia are mentioned in the Catalogue of the Ships. Strabo 8.6.19 The town of Donussa, also called Hyperesia, stood between Aegeira and Pellene. Pausanias 7.26.13 Hyperesia is listed among the places under the government of Mycenae and Agamemnon. Strabo 8.6.19
Stories and history
The city contributed to the fleet commanded by King Agamemnon. Iliad 2 ¶42 Polypheides prophesied for all men while living in this location. Odyssey 15 ¶20 The Ionians set fire to the torches on the goats during the night. Pausanias 7.26.2 A hostile Sicyonian army was preparing to invade the territory of the city. Pausanias 7.26.2 The Ionians attached torches to the horns of their goats to defend against invaders. Pausanias 7.26.2 The name was allegedly corrupted by Peisistratus or his colleagues during the collection of poems. Pausanias 7.26.13