TROEZEN (village in Troezenia and Hermionis)
Modern village and ancient town in Greece
- Kind of place
- Village
- Region
- Troezenia and Hermionis
- Patron
- Poseidon
- Landmarks
- Temple of Artemis Saviour Pausanias 2.31.1; Sanctuary of the Muses Ardalides Pausanias 2.31.3; Temple of Artemis Lycea Pausanias 2.31.4; Sanctuary of Apollo Thearios Pausanias 2.31.6; Sanctuary of Zeus Saviour Pausanias 2.31.10; Precinct of Hippolytus Pausanias 2.32.1; Temple of Hippolytus Pausanias 2.32.1; Temple of Apollo Seafaring (Apollo; Diomedes) Pausanias 2.32.2; Temple of Aphrodite Spy Pausanias 2.32.3; Temple of Athena Sthenias Pausanias 2.32.5; Sanctuary of Pan Lyterius Pausanias 2.32.6; Temple of Aphrodite of the Height Pausanias 2.32.6; Sanctuary of Aphrodite Nymphia Pausanias 2.32.7; Temple of Poseidon Phytalmios Pausanias 2.32.8; Sanctuary of Demeter Thesmophoros Pausanias 2.32.8; Temple of Ares Pausanias 2.32.9; Sanctuary of Saronian Artemis Pausanias 2.32.10; Temple of Athena Apaturia Pausanias 2.33.1; Acropolis of Troezen Pausanias 2.32.5; Market-place of Troezen Pausanias 2.31.1; Hippocrene (Horse's Fount) (Pegasus) Pausanias 2.31.9; Fountain of Herakles Pausanias 2.32.4; Spring of Hyllicus Pausanias 2.32.7; Tomb of Pittheus Pausanias 2.31.3; Grave of Phaedra Pausanias 2.32.4; Tomb of Hippolytus Pausanias 2.32.4; Tomb of Sphaerus Pausanias 2.33.1; Altars of the underworld gods Pausanias 2.31.2; Altar of the Muses and Hypnos Pausanias 2.31.3; Altar of Dionysos Saotes Pausanias 2.31.5; Altar of the Themides Pausanias 2.31.5; City wall of Troezen Pausanias 2.32.8; Harbour of Celenderis Pausanias 2.32.9; Race-course of Hippolytus Pausanias 2.32.3; Images of Artemis Saviour Pausanias 2.31.1; Hermes Polygius Pausanias 2.31.10; Image of Hippolytus Pausanias 2.32.1; Sacred Stone (Orestes) Pausanias 2.31.4; Bay Tree of Orestes Pausanias 2.31.8; Wild Olive of Heracles Pausanias 2.31.10; Myrtle of Phaedra Pausanias 2.32.3; House of Hippolytus Pausanias 2.32.4; Rock of Theseus (Theseus; Zeus Sthenius) Pausanias 2.32.7; Bent Rhacos (Hippolytus) Pausanias 2.32.10; Crossing to Sacred Island Pausanias 2.33.1
- People of myth here
- Aethra, Hippolytus, Phaedra, Pittheus
- Where
- 37.50° N, 23.36° E
Troezen is a city neighboring Athens where citizens dwell. Euripides, Hippolytus 1151-1197 Troezen is situated along the coast of the Argolic Gulf. Pausanias 8.1.1 The people of Troezen highly honor Poseidon as their patron god. Plutarch, Theseus 6.1
Described in the sources
The island of Calauria is located off the coast of Troezen. Pausanias 1.8.2 +2 Troezen is located near the sea and the territory of Epidaurus. Pausanias 8.1.1 +1 The inhabitants of Troezen granted Hippolytus divine honors after his death. Diodorus 4.62 +1 Theseus was raised in Troezen at the home of his maternal grandfather, Pittheus, and later returned to Athens from there. Diodorus 4.55 +1 Pittheus resided in Troezen when Heracles visited him and directed the construction of part of Theseus's secret fleet there. Pausanias 1.27.7 +1 Troezen is positioned near the place called Nermion. Pausanias 8.1.1 Phaedra first saw Hippolytus while he was in Troezen. Pausanias 1.22.2 Theseus was present in this town at the age of seven. Pausanias 1.27.7 The sanctuary of Thearian Apollo is located in Troezen. Pausanias 2.31.6 Troezen is described as a place famous for the hero Theseus. Statius, Thebaid 4.68-94 ΒΆ2
Gods and worship
Inhabitants of Troezen offer first fruits to Poseidon in sacrifice. Plutarch, Theseus 6.1 A virgin choir in Troezen will forever sing hymns to remember Hippolytus. Euripides, Hippolytus 1389-1430 Unmarried maidens in Troezen will cut their hair before marriage to honor Hippolytus. Euripides, Hippolytus 1389-1430
Stories and history
Hermon of Troezen created the modern image in the sanctuary. Pausanias 2.31.6 Auliscus dedicated the modern image in the sanctuary at Troezen. Pausanias 2.31.6 The men of Troezen fought alongside the Athenians in the battle. Herodotus 9.105.1 Pittheus established the sanctuary of Thearian Apollo in Troezen. Pausanias 2.31.6 Men of Corinth, Troezen, and Sicyon fought best after the Athenians. Herodotus 9.105.1 The sanctuary at Troezen is older than temples in Phocaea and Samos. Pausanias 2.31.6 The coinage of Troezen features the trident of Poseidon as an emblem. Plutarch, Theseus 6.1 The people of Troezen possess a myrtle tree with holes in every leaf. Pausanias 1.22.2 Theseus is said to have founded the temple in Troezen's market-place. Pausanias 2.31.1 The people of Troezen participated in the event described in this list. Pausanias 5.23.2
Myths set at Troezen
- The Marriage of Aethra to Bellerophontes. Bellerophontes travels to Troezen to ask Pittheus for his daughter Aethra's hand in marriage. Pittheus is identified as the father of Aethra, who is also the mother of Theseus. Apollodorus 3.15.7 +5 Pittheus
- The Founding of Troezen. Pittheus arrives in a region ruled by Aetius and unites local settlements. He founds the city of Troezen and becomes its ruler. Pausanias 2.30.8 +3 Pittheus
- The Oracle of Delphi and the Wineskin. Aegeus seeks divine guidance on fatherhood but receives a cryptic warning about a wineskin. He travels to Troezen to seek clarification from King Pittheus while obeying the command not to open the vessel until he reaches Athens. Apollodorus 3.15.6 +3 Aegeus
- Purification in Troezen. Orestes arrives in Troezen seeking purification for the murder of his mother, but the citizens initially refuse to host him. He is eventually cleansed by nine men using water from a specific fountain, completing his ritual. Pausanias 2.31.4 +2 Orestes
- The Slaying of Pallas. hook: "Theseus kills Pallas and his sons after a rebellion." goal: "Theseus travels to Troezen to undergo purification and defend his actions." outcome: "Theseus is acquitted of the charges for the killings."} Pausanias 1.22.2 +1 Theseus
- The Temple of Aphrodite. Phaedra builds a temple to Aphrodite near Troezen to win the future love of a youth. She names the temple after him to secure his affection. Diodorus 4.62 +1 Phaedra
- The Upbringing of Hippolytus. Theseus sends his son Hippolytus to Pittheus for upbringing, where he learns to reject Aphrodite's worship. Hippolytus later leaves for initiation rites in Pandion's land, destined to become the future king of Troezen. Euripides, Hippolytus 1-33 +1 Pittheus
- The Mistaking of the Lion's Skin. hook: "Theseus, a young boy of about seven, is present in Troezen when Heracles visits Pittheus." goal: "Theseus attempts to attack what he believes is a real lion." outcome: "Theseus attacks the lion's skin, mistaking it for the animal itself."} Pausanias 1.27.7 Theseus