OROPUS (city in Boeotia)
An ancient Greek city at the border of Attica and Boeotia
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Boeotia
- Where
- 38.28° N, 23.75° E
Oropus is situated on the border between Attica and Boeotia, marking the northern limit of the eastern side of Attica. Strabo 9.1.22 A sanctuary of Amphiaraus is located about twelve stades from the city. Pausanias 1.34.1 The city sits opposite the modern settlement of Eretria on the island of Euboea, connected by a crossing of forty stadia. Strabo 9.2.6
Described in the sources
Oropus is located in the region of Boeotia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.11 ΒΆ2 +1 Oropus is located on the coast, about sixty stades from Marathon along the coastal road. Pausanias 1.33.2 +1 The area originally belonged to Boeotia before being transferred to Athenian control, making Oropus a state subject to the Athenians. Pausanias 1.34.1 +1 The territory of Oropus lies between Attica and the land of Tanagra, with a mountainous tract starting there separating Boeotia from Attica. Pausanias 1.34.1 +1 A location named Graia is situated near Oropus. Strabo 9.2.10 The Oropians were the inhabitants of this location. Pausanias 7.11.8 The monument of Narcissus the Eretrian is located near Oropus. Strabo 9.2.10 Some Athenian soldiers fled to Oropus during the battle of Delium. Athenaeus 5.55 Oropus is located twenty stadia from the Sacred Harbour known as Delphinium. Strabo 9.2.6 The group mentioned in the text crossed over to this location to save themselves. Herodotus 6.101.1
Stories and history
The Athenian populace sacked the city of Oropus. Pausanias 7.11.4 The city itself offers nothing remarkable to record. Pausanias 1.34.1 Uncertainty about its borders with Thyrea caused a war. Strabo 1.4.8 The location has frequently been a subject of contention. Strabo 9.1.22 Athenians removed the military garrison stationed at the site. Pausanias 7.11.8 Philip gave the territory to the Athenians after he took Thebes. Pausanias 1.34.1 Athenians arrived at the city to retrieve items missed in earlier raids. Pausanias 7.11.8 The Achaeans arrived too late to provide assistance to the local people. Pausanias 7.11.8 The Roman senate ordered the Sicyonians to fine the Athenians for harming Oropus. Pausanias 7.11.4 The Roman senate ruled that an injustice had been committed against Oropus after its inhabitants appealed to them regarding the sack. Pausanias 7.11.4