THERA (city)
Ancient city and archaeological site on Thera, Greece
- Kind of place
- City
- Where
- 36.36° N, 25.48° E
Thera is described as a sea-lashed land destined to become the mother-city of powerful commonwealths. Pindar, Pythian 4 ¶1 The island received the name Thera in honor of its colonist. Herodotus 4.148.4 Thera was the second foundation of Apollo after Sparta and before Cyrene. Callimachus, Hymn 2 ¶3
Described in the sources
The island was originally named Calliste before being renamed Thera. Argonautica 4 ¶107 +1 Grinnus, a king of Thera, consulted the oracle and brought a hecatomb from the city to Delphi. Herodotus 4.150.2 +1 Battus, who is associated with Thera, led an expedition from the holy isle to found the city of Cyrene. Pausanias 3.14.3 +1 Thera is located near the island of Anaphe. Strabo 1.2.39 The island was originally known by the name Calliste. Herodotus 4.148.4 The sons of Aigeus arrived at Thera with divine assistance. Pindar, Pythian 5 ¶9 The island served as a sacred nurse for the sons of Euphemus. Argonautica 4 ¶107 Themison arrived at Thera after traveling across the high seas. Herodotus 4.154.4 Medea spoke a prophecy at Thera regarding a future city in Libya. Pindar, Pythian 4 ¶1 Men from Thera served as guides for Dorieus's expedition to Libya. Herodotus 5.42.2
Gods and worship
The Karneia festival was received from Thera and honored at Kyrene. Pindar, Pythian 5 ¶9 Residents of Thera annually sacrifice to Theras as their founder and a hero. Pausanias 3.1.8
Stories and history
Theras named the island Thera after himself, as it had previously been called Calliste. Argonautica 4 ¶107 +1 The Theraeans dispatched Battus to Libya aboard two fifty-oared ships to found a colony on an island off Libya. Herodotus 4.153.1 +1 Theras, son of Autesion, brought the sons of Euphemus from Sparta to the island and founded the city of Thera there. Argonautica 4 ¶107 +1 Aristoteles moved Apollo from Thera to the Asbystian land. Callimachus, Hymn 2 ¶3 The renaming of the island occurred after the days of Euphemus. Argonautica 4 ¶107 A feast involving much sacrifice was held at Thera due to destiny. Pindar, Pythian 5 ¶9 The city's future status was confirmed by Zeus with a thunderclap. Pindar, Pythian 4 ¶3 The people of Thera developed a close friendship with the Samians. Herodotus 4.152.5 The sixth generation of Oedipus' sons brought Apollo to Thera from Sparta. Callimachus, Hymn 2 ¶3