OLYNTHUS (city in Chalcidice)
Ancient city in Chalkidiki, Greece
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Chalcidice
- Where
- 40.29° N, 23.34° E
The monument of Olynthus, son of Heracles and Bolbe, by the river Olynthiacus. Athenaeus 8.11 The city and its neighboring towns vanished so completely that their sites appear uninhabited. Strabo 2.5.17 The city was originally held by Bottiaeans who had been expelled from the Thermaic gulf. Herodotus 8.127.1
Described in the sources
A specific type of earth is found at this location. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 18.73 ¶2 Olynthos is situated in the interior region of Thrace. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.18 ¶2 The sea-grayling is caught in the shallow waters surrounding the city. Athenaeus 7.45 A different village named Scolus existed among the cities near Olynthus. Strabo 9.2.23 Visitors still seek out the location to see traces of the celebrated place. Strabo 2.5.17 A small locality near Olynthus is the only place where a specific beetle cannot exist. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 11.34 ¶2 Olynthus is identified as one of the Greek towns situated along the route of the fleet. Herodotus 7.122.1
Stories and history
Artabazus captured the city of Olynthus after besieging it because he suspected it was plotting a revolt against the king. Herodotus 8.127.1 +1 The city provided ships and men to the fleet as it passed by. Herodotus 7.122.1 The general died of a disease while hoping to capture the city. Pausanias 3.5.9 The city was attacked by a general who had previously campaigned near Argos. Pausanias 3.5.9 The Bottiaeans defending the city were killed by having their throats cut at a lake. Herodotus 8.127.1 The general captured most other cities in Chalcidice before targeting this specific city. Pausanias 3.5.9 Artabazus handed the captured city over to Critobulus of Torone and the Chalcidian people, who gained possession of it as a result of the siege. Herodotus 8.127.1