Aegae (Achaea)
Town and polis (city-state) of ancient Achaea
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aegae or Aigai (Ancient Greek: Αἰγαί[1]), also known as Aega or Aiga (Αἰγά), was a town and polis (city-state) of ancient Achaea, and one of the 12 Achaean cities.[2][3] It was situated upon the river Crathis and upon the coast, between Aegeira and Bura.[4]
One of the mentions of Aegae in Homer's Iliad points to this town.[5][2][a]
It was afterwards deserted by its inhabitants, who removed to the neighbouring town of Aegeira; and it had already ceased to be one of the 12 Achaean cities on the renewal of the Achaean League in 280 BCE, its place being occupied by Ceryneia.[2][6] Its name does not occur in Polybius.[2] Neither Strabo nor Pausanias mention on which bank of the Crathis it stood, but it probably stood on the left bank, since the right is low and often inundated.[2][7][4]
Its site is located near the modern Akrata.[2][8][9] The location of the ancient city has been excavated.[10]
Explanatory notes
- The other mention of Aegae, in Homer, Iliad, 13.21, points to Aegae (Euboea).[2]
