PATRAI (city in Achaea)
Ancient Greek polis, predecessor of modern Patras
- Also called
- Aroe
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Achaea
- Patron
- Artemis
- Landmarks
- Precinct Pausanias 7.20.9; Sanctuary of Aphrodite Pausanias 7.21.10; Sanctuary of Poseidon Pausanias 7.21.10; Gate leading to Mesatis Pausanias 7.21.14; Bronze image of Ares Pausanias 7.21.10; Bronze image of Poseidon Pausanias 7.21.10
- People of myth here
- Aegyptus, Eurypylus
- Where
- 38.25° N, 21.74° E
The settlement received its name from the Achaean leader Patreus. Pausanias 3.2.1 Patrae possesses a tolerably good shelter for vessels. Strabo 8.7.5 A precinct of Aphrodite is situated by the harbor in Patrae. Pausanias 7.21.10
Described in the sources
Patrai is a considerable city with a tolerably good shelter for vessels. Pausanias 7.22.10 +1 Patrai was one of the twelve districts inhabited by the Achaeans, who expelled the Ionians. Herodotus 1.145.1 +1 The name Laphria spread to the Achaeans of Patrae. Pausanias 4.31.7 The river Glaucus flows into the sea near the city. Pausanias 7.18.2 The deserted place Olenus lies between Patrae and Dyme. Strabo 8.7.5 The cape Rhium is situated fifty stades away from Patrae. Pausanias 7.22.10 Pharae was a city of the Achaeans that belonged to Patrae. Pausanias 7.22.1 Chilon was an Achaean citizen who originated from this city. Pausanias 6.4.6 A temple of Aphrodite is situated near the theater in Patrae. Pausanias 7.20.9 A sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius is located within the city. Pausanias 7.21.14
Gods and worship
The citizens of Patrae sacrifice to the hero Preugenes annually. Pausanias 7.20.9 The citizens of Patrae sacrifice to Patreus during the festival of their Lady. Pausanias 7.20.9 A smooth ascent is built to the altar by piling earth on its steps before the festival. Pausanias 7.18.11 The inhabitants of Patrae sacrifice to Eurypylus, son of Euaemon, as a hero during the annual festival honoring Dionysus. Pausanias 7.19.10 During the Laphria festival, the inhabitants of Patrae use a unique method of sacrifice involving green logs sixteen cubits long arranged in a circle around the altar, on which the driest wood available is placed. Pausanias 7.18.11
Stories and history
Augustus gave the image of Laphria to Patrae as part of spoils from Calydon. Pausanias 7.18.8 +1 The people of Patrae were the only Achaeans to cross into Aetolia to assist the Aetolians in fighting against the Gauls. Pausanias 7.18.6 +1 Augustus annexed the city of Dyme to Patrae. Pausanias 7.17.5 An emperor annexed Triteia to the domain of Patrae. Pausanias 7.22.6 The emperor Augustus gave the city of Pharae to Patrae. Pausanias 7.22.1 Women in the city outnumber men by a ratio of two to one. Pausanias 7.21.14 The Lacedaemonians participated in the settlement of the city. Pausanias 3.2.1 Augustus granted freedom specifically to the citizens of Patrae. Pausanias 7.18.7 Patrae became a Roman colony and is currently very well peopled. Strabo 8.7.5 The Romans of Patrae own a large, fish-abundant lake near Calydon. Strabo 10.2.21
Myths set at Patrai
- The Dedication by the Patraeans. hook: Fishermen pull an image of Aphrodite out of a net near the harbor in Patrae. goal: The Patraeans dedicate a temple to her near the theater. outcome: A temple dedicated to Aphrodite stands near the theater in Patrae. Pausanias 7.20.9 +1 Aphrodite