PLEURON (city in Aetolia)
Ancient city in Aitolia, Greece
The city overlooks the Ionian storms. Statius, Thebaid 2.721-743 ¶1 Pleuron is identified as the city associated with Meleager. Statius, Thebaid 4.95-120 ¶1 Deianeira lived in the house of her father Oeneus at this location. Sophocles, Trachiniae 1-48
Described in the sources
Pleuron was a settlement in Aetolia where the Aetolians lived. Iliad 2 ¶49 +2 Pleuron was a city in Aetolia ruled by Thoas, son of Andraemon. Bacchylides 5 part 3 +2 The ancient city of Pleuron was situated in a fertile plain adjacent to the places previously mentioned in the narrative. Ovid Met. 7.350-401 (4) +1 Agrius and Melas lived in Pleuron. Iliad 14 ¶9 The city is near the turbulent river Achelous. Statius, Thebaid 2.721-743 ¶1 Pleuron is described as a new city in this context. Strabo 10.2.6 Pleuron is located near the ancient city of Pylene. Strabo 10.2.6 The city is situated on hills within its urban area. Statius, Thebaid 2.721-743 ¶1 The city is located near the barrier of the Echinades. Statius, Thebaid 2.721-743 ¶1 Mount Curium is located near the ancient city of Pleuron. Strabo 10.2.4
Gods and worship
Sister-birds are said to weep for the city. Statius, Thebaid 4.95-120 ¶1
Stories and history
The city sent warriors to help when news of war arrived. Statius, Thebaid 4.95-120 ¶1 Anciently, the settlement served as an ornament to Greece. Strabo 10.2.3 The city was in a reduced condition at the time of writing. Strabo 10.2.3 The Romans allowed the people of Pleuron to secede from the Achaean League. Pausanias 7.11.3 The inhabitants of Pleuron were permitted to send their own embassy to Rome. Pausanias 7.11.3 The founders of modern Pleuron abandoned the ancient city located near Calydon. Strabo 10.2.4 Combe, daughter of Ophis, fled her sons' attacks at Pleuron using trembling wings. Ovid Met. 7.350-401 (4) Demetrius Aetolicus destroyed the district containing the ancient city of Pleuron. Strabo 10.2.4 Some people believed the Pleuronii were called Curetes because of their proximity to Mount Curium. Strabo 10.2.4
Myths set at Pleuron
- The Abduction of Marpessa. Idas abducts Marpessa in a winged chariot, sparking a pursuit by Evenus and a contest with Apollo. Marpessa chooses Idas over Apollo, and Zeus separates the rivals before Idas leads her to Pleuron. Apollodorus 1.7.8 +3 Idas