SOUNION (cape in Attica)
Cape and archaeological site in Lavreotiki municipality, Attica, Greece
- Kind of place
- Cape
- Region
- Attica
- Where
- 37.65° N, 24.03° E
A temple to Athena of Sunium stands on its peak. Pausanias 1.1.1 It stands out from the Attic land. Pausanias 1.1.1 A harbor is visible after rounding the promontory. Pausanias 1.1.1
Described in the sources
Sunium is a considerable demus located on a promontory in the region of Attica. Apollodorus, Epitome 6.29 +3 The Piraeus is located 330 stadia away from Sunium. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.11 ¶2 +1 Geraestus and Petalia on Euboea are located opposite to Sunium. Strabo 10.1.2 +1 The sea-coast stretches from Sunium north to Thessalonica, inclining slightly west with the sea on the east. Strabo 7.fragments.13 +1 The island of Helena is described as extending from Thoricus to Sunium and is situated in front of the coast before Thoricum and Sunium. Strabo 10.5.3 +1 Sunium forms a considerable bay. Strabo 2.1.40 Sunium is described as the point of Athens. Odyssey 3 ¶24 Sunium is located not much less far south than Malea. Strabo 2.1.40 The fleet sailed around this cape during their journey. Herodotus 6.116.1 Phrontis met his end while rounding this cape in Attica. Pausanias 10.25.2
Stories and history
Ships navigate along the coast after doubling the cape of Sunium. Strabo 9.1.2 Menelaus left Nestor to build a tomb for Phrontis at this location. Pausanias 10.25.2 Refugees based at this spot raided the Aeginetans living on the island. Herodotus 6.90.1 The commander of the garrisons was bribed to surrender Sunium to Aratus. Pausanias 2.8.6 Sunium is noted as a convenient spot for travelers crossing from Asia to Attica. Strabo 10.1.7 Aratus contributed a sixth part of the bribe money to secure the surrender of Sunium. Pausanias 2.8.6