Amphipolis
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Amfipoli Αμφίπολη |
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Amfipolis municipality
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 Amfipoli
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Location within the region
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| Coordinates: 40°49′N 23°50′E / 40.817°N 23.833°ECoordinates: 40°49′N 23°50′E / 40.817°N 23.833°E | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | Central Macedonia |
| Regional unit | Serres |
| Area | |
| • Municipality | 411.7 km2 (159.0 sq mi) |
| • Municipal unit | 152.1 km2 (58.7 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Municipality | 9,182 |
| • Municipality density | 22/km2 (58/sq mi) |
| • Municipal unit | 2,615 |
| • Municipal unit density | 17/km2 (45/sq mi) |
| Community | |
| • Population | 185 (2011) |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
| Vehicle registration | ΕΡ |
Amphipolis (Modern Greek: Αμφίπολη - Amfipoli; Ancient Greek: Ἀμφίπολις, Amfípolis) is best known for the magnificent ancient Greek city (polis), and later Roman city, whose impressive remains can still be seen.
It is famous in history for events such as the battle between the Spartans and Athenians in 422 BC, and also as the place where Alexander the Great prepared for campaigns leading to his invasion of Asia. Alexander's three finest admirals, Nearchus, Androsthenes and Laomedon, resided in this city and it is also the place where, after Alexander's death, his wife Roxane and their small son Alexander IV were exiled and later murdered.
Excavations in and around the city have revealed important buildings, ancient walls and tombs. At the nearby vast Kasta burial mound, an important ancient Macedonian tomb has recently been revealed. The unique and beautiful "Lion of Amphipolis" monument nearby is a popular destination for visitors.
It is today a municipality in the Serres regional unit of Greece. The seat of the municipality is Rodolivos.
Throughout the 5th century BC, Athens sought to consolidate its control over Thrace, which was strategically important because of its primary materials (the gold and silver of the Pangaion hills and the dense forests essential for naval construction), and the sea routes vital for Athens' supply of grain from Scythia. After a first unsuccessful attempt at colonisation in 497 BC by the Milesian Tyrant Histiaeus, the Athenians founded a first colony at Ennea-Hodoi (‘Nine Ways’) in 465, but these first ten thousand colonists were massacred by the Thracians. A second attempt took place in 437 BC on the same site under the guidance of Hagnon, son of Nicias, which was successful. The city and its first walls date from this time.
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Wikipedia