MEGARA (city in Megaris)
City in western Attica, Greece
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Megaris
- Landmarks
- Ancient sanctuary Pausanias 1.40.2; Temple of Zeus Pausanias 1.40.4; Precinct of Zeus Pausanias 1.40.6; Temple of Dionysus Nyctelius Pausanias 1.40.6; Sanctuary of Aphrodite Epistrophia Pausanias 1.40.6; Temple of Zeus Conius Pausanias 1.40.6; Temple of Apollo Agraeus and Artemis Agrotera Pausanias 1.41.3; Temple of Athena Pausanias 1.42.4; Sanctuary of Athena Nike Pausanias 1.42.4; Sanctuary of Athena Aeantis Pausanias 1.42.4; Temple of Apollo Pausanias 1.42.5; Sanctuary of Demeter Thesmophorus Pausanias 1.42.6; Sanctuary of Artemis Pausanias 1.43.1; Sanctuary of Dionysus Pausanias 1.43.5; Temple of Aphrodite Pausanias 1.43.6; Sanctuary of Tyche Pausanias 1.43.6; Temple with the Muses and Zeus Pausanias 1.43.6; Sanctuary of Apollo Prostaterius Pausanias 1.44.2; Sanctuary of the Eileithyiae Pausanias 1.44.2; Temple of Demeter Malophorus Pausanias 1.44.3; Citadel of Caria Pausanias 1.40.6; Citadel of Alcathous Pausanias 1.42.1; Citadel of Nisaea Pausanias 1.44.3; Market-place of Megara Pausanias 1.43.8; Tomb of Alcmena Pausanias 1.41.1; Tomb of Hyllus Pausanias 1.41.2; Hero Shrine of Pandion Pausanias 1.41.6; Tomb of Pandion Pausanias 1.41.6; Tomb of Hippolyte Pausanias 1.41.7; Barrow of Tereus Pausanias 1.41.9; Tomb of Megareus Pausanias 1.42.1; Council chamber and grave of Timalcus Pausanias 1.42.4; Tomb of Callipolis Pausanias 1.42.6; Shrine of Ino (Ino (Leucothea)) Pausanias 1.42.7; Shrine of Iphigenia Pausanias 1.43.1; Tomb of Euippus Pausanias 1.43.2; Tomb of Ischepolis Pausanias 1.43.2; Aesymnium (Aesymnus; Megarian heroes) Pausanias 1.43.3; Hero-shrine of Alcathous Pausanias 1.43.4; Tomb of Pyrgo Pausanias 1.43.4; Tomb of Iphinoe Pausanias 1.43.4; Grave of Astycratea and Manto Pausanias 1.43.5; Tomb of Coroebus Pausanias 1.43.8; Tomb of Lelex Pausanias 1.44.3; Hearth of the Prodomeis Pausanias 1.42.1; Altar of Apollo Pausanias 1.42.6; Gate of the Nymphs Pausanias 1.44.2; Wall of Alcathous Pausanias 1.41.6; Harbour of Nisaea Pausanias 1.44.3; Gilded image of Athena Pausanias 1.42.4; Statue of Athena Aeantis Pausanias 1.42.4; Apollo Pythian Pausanias 1.42.5; Apollo Decatephorus Pausanias 1.42.5; Apollo Archegetes Pausanias 1.42.5; Wooden Image of Dionysus Patrous Pausanias 1.43.5; Image of Dionysus Dasyllius Pausanias 1.43.5; Ivory Aphrodite Praxis Pausanias 1.43.6; Statues of the Muses Pausanias 1.43.6; Image of Coroebus slaying Vengeance Pausanias 1.43.8; Rock of Athena Aethyia (Athena Aethyia and Pandion) Pausanias 1.41.6; Stone of Apollo Pausanias 1.42.2; Olives beside Ino's shrine (Ino (Leucothea)) Pausanias 1.42.7; Road to the Town-hall Pausanias 1.42.7; Rock Anaclethris (Demeter) Pausanias 1.43.2; Straight Street Pausanias 1.44.2; Stone of Apollo Carinus Pausanias 1.44.2
- People of myth here
- Aegeus, Alcathous, Calchas, Nisos, Pandion, Scylla of Megara
- Where
- 37.99° N, 23.34° E
Agamemnon built a sanctuary of Artemis in Megara to persuade Calchas. Pausanias 1.43.1 A road from the Isthmus leads to Megara over the Scironides rocks. Strabo 9.1.4 A wild olive tree stood in the Forum of the city for a long time. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 16.76 ¶3
Described in the sources
Megara is considered part of the region of Ionia rather than the Peloponnesus. Strabo 9.1.5 +1 Megara lies under the fourth circle or parallel and is described as a strong haven. Aeneid 3.675 +1 The territory of Megara extends as far as the island of Salamis, and the boundary between Megara and Attica lies opposite Salamis on the coast. Pausanias 1.35.2 +1 The Myrtoan Sea begins at the Gulf of Megara. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.9 ¶2 Pandion was appointed king of this city by Pylas. Apollodorus 3.15.5 A man committed suicide within the city of Megara. Pausanias 1.41.9 Aristomenes won a prize at the games held in Megara. Pindar, Pythian 8 ¶13 The Achaean camp at Corinth was located near Megara. Pausanias 7.15.10 Megara was considered part of Attica in ancient times. Strabo 9.1.11 Pandion fathered four sons while residing in this city. Apollodorus 3.15.5
Gods and worship
The inhabitants of Megara built a burial mound for the man who died there and perform annual sacrifices to him using gravel instead of barley. Pausanias 1.41.9
Stories and history
Minos captured the city with his fleet after becoming master of the sea, following the treachery of Nisus's daughter, and subsequently became its master. Apollodorus 3.15.8 +1 The city is a source of grayling used in cooking. Athenaeus 7.45 The hoopoe bird is said to have first appeared in Megara. Pausanias 1.41.9 Megara was built around the same time as Syracuse and Naxos. Strabo 6.2.4 part 1 Persian cavalry overran the lands belonging to the city of Megara. Herodotus 9.14.1 Megara sent allies to support the Epigoni in their attack on Thebes. Pausanias 9.9.4 Some Dorians left the group that had founded Megara to join Archias. Strabo 6.2.4 part 1 Stones found under these circumstances were said to prevent abortion. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 16.76 ¶3 Nisus founded the settlement of Nisaea within the territory of Megara. Strabo 9.1.6 The Megarians' theft of courtesans helped start the Peloponnesian War. Athenaeus 13.25