KALAUREIA (island in Troezenia and Hermionis)
Island off Poros, Greece
- Kind of place
- Island
- Region
- Troezenia and Hermionis
- Where
- 37.52° N, 23.48° E
Calauria is a small island located off the coast of Troezen, situated in front of its harbour. Pausanias 1.8.2 A holy sanctuary of Poseidon exists at Calaurea. Pausanias 2.33.2 The temple on the island functioned as a sanctuary for fugitives. Strabo 8.6.14
Described in the sources
Calauria has a circumference of thirty stadia. Strabo 8.6.14 +1 A temple dedicated to Neptune stands on the island. Strabo 8.6.14 Demosthenes crossed to this location during his second exile. Pausanias 1.8.3 A strait four stadia wide separates the island from the mainland. Strabo 8.6.3 Calauria is located within the Cretan, Saronic, and Myrtoan Seas. Strabo 2.5.21 The island is situated opposite the coast during a voyage along the Argive territory. Strabo 8.6.3 Legend claims Apollo and Poseidon exchanged their sacred sites of Calaurea and Delphi. Pausanias 2.33.2 Calaurea was considered sacred to Apollo in ancient times, and an oracle states that Apollo loves to dwell there. Pausanias 2.33.2
Gods and worship
The inhabitants of Calaurea particularly honor Demosthenes. Pausanias 2.33.5 The fields of Calaurea are described as sacred to the goddess Latona. Ovid Met. 7.350-401 (4) A maiden priestess serves the sanctuary of Poseidon until marriage age. Pausanias 2.33.2 Seven cities formed a body to manage the temple's affairs and perform joint sacrifices. Strabo 8.6.14
Stories and history
Demosthenes ended his life by taking poison inside the temple to avoid capture by Archias. Pausanias 1.8.3 +1 Apollo gave Calaureia to Poseidon in exchange for an oracle. Pausanias 10.5.6 Neptune is said to have traded Delos for Calauria with Latona. Strabo 8.6.14 The place remembers the transformation of its king and his wife into birds. Ovid Met. 7.350-401 (4) Macedonians preserved the asylum privilege even while controlling the region. Strabo 8.6.14