PHTHIA (city in Phthiotis)
In Greek mythology city or district in ancient Thessaly
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Phthiotis
- Where
- 38.90° N, 22.53° E
The place is described as the fatherland of the swiftest heroes. Pausanias 6.11.5 The Myrmidons originated from this Thessalian district. Euripides, Iphigenia in Aulis 231-241 Peleus chose to live in Phthia after leaving his homeland, where he is expected to rule among the Myrmidons. Argonautica 1 ¶16
Described in the sources
Phoenix lived at the extremity of Phthia. Strabo 9.5.5 Phoenix was the chief of the Dolopians in Phthia. Strabo 9.5.5 The Achaeans of Phthia were among the groups paying tribute. Herodotus 7.132.1 The region of Phthia was later known as the Histiaean country. Herodotus 1.56.3 Andromache arrived in this location after being taken from Troy. Euripides, Andromache 384-424 Phthia is the land that Peleus might allow barbarian sons to rule. Euripides, Andromache 642-692 The rulers of Phthia are described as performing a cruel sacrifice. Euripides, Andromache 501-514 Phthia is the location from which Eupolemeia, daughter of Myrmidon, came. Argonautica 1 ¶9 Peleus intends to raise the child in Phthia to be an enemy of the Trojans. Euripides, Andromache 693-728 The territory of Phthia spans nearly the entire length of the Maliac Gulf. Strabo 9.5.7
Stories and history
The people who possessed Phthia were called Myrmidones, Hellenes, and Achaei. Strabo 9.5.5 A specific athlete stopped training for boxing and pancratium at this location. Pausanias 6.11.5